THE gloves are off as Cosatu heads to its 11th national congress today, with warring factions all hoping their preferred candidates will emerge victorious.
Although Cosatu goes into the congress divided, the first of the many expected fights from the floor will be over the adoption of the agenda.
The congress will also be a battleground for those for or against President Jacob Zuma. Whoever emerges victorious will have an influence on voting patterns at the ANC conference, particularly as a number of ANC members are embedded in the labour movement.
Some of the 21 affiliates are intent on snubbing general-secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, who they view as not only being in the anti-Zuma camp, but too individualistic. Vavi's detractors hope to replace him with KwaZulu-Natal secretary Zet Luzipho.
Some members want Vavi to be opposed so as to cut down on his political influence.
His apparent criticism of the ANC government has apparently made many unionists turn their backs on him. There is the fear that his retention could affect Zuma's bid for a second term as president in Mangaung , where the ruling party will hold its elective congress in December. However, Vavi has an army of his own - within the National Union of Mineworkers - with secretary Irvin Jim at the helm.
The SA Municipal Workers Union, Fawu, Saccawu and Sapawu also back Vavi.
- nhlabathih@sowetan.co.za
Battle for who rules Cosatu
THE gloves are off as Cosatu heads to its 11th national congress today, with warring factions all hoping their preferred candidates will emerge victorious.
Although Cosatu goes into the congress divided, the first of the many expected fights from the floor will be over the adoption of the agenda.
The congress will also be a battleground for those for or against President Jacob Zuma. Whoever emerges victorious will have an influence on voting patterns at the ANC conference, particularly as a number of ANC members are embedded in the labour movement.
Some of the 21 affiliates are intent on snubbing general-secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, who they view as not only being in the anti-Zuma camp, but too individualistic. Vavi's detractors hope to replace him with KwaZulu-Natal secretary Zet Luzipho.
Some members want Vavi to be opposed so as to cut down on his political influence.
His apparent criticism of the ANC government has apparently made many unionists turn their backs on him. There is the fear that his retention could affect Zuma's bid for a second term as president in Mangaung , where the ruling party will hold its elective congress in December. However, Vavi has an army of his own - within the National Union of Mineworkers - with secretary Irvin Jim at the helm.
The SA Municipal Workers Union, Fawu, Saccawu and Sapawu also back Vavi.
- nhlabathih@sowetan.co.za
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