The ANC needs a strong Cosatu, not a weak, divided one, African National Congress deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday.

"A divided Cosatu is a weak Cosatu," he told a National Union of Mineworkers shop stewards' council in Boksburg on the east Rand.

"Cosatu without the strength of various other unions is a weak Cosatu. The ANC does not want a weak Cosatu."

Ramaphosa said the Congress of SA Trade Unions needed to be united.

"The ANC has watched with a great deal of concern and pain at the challenges and troubles Cosatu has been facing.

"To contemplate a division of Cosatu is something we don't want to contemplate."

He said workers who were divided would never be able to defend and advance the gains made by Cosatu.

Ramaphosa called for a "ceasefire" on everything negative and destructive and any public statements that could undermine unity.

Once this happened, the ANC would within 30 days meet union by union, engage the leadership and members, and look at ways to achieve unity.

He said the ANC would play a facilitator role to help preserve Cosatu's unity.

"Sometimes we forget the role Cosatu has played in the revolution. Those who are divisive don't see that."