The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has reaffirmed its support for the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP) ahead of the upcoming municipal elections. At its 15th national congress two weeks ago, Cosatu resolved to maintain its support for the tripartite alliance, citing the need to preserve unity among workers. The federation's general-secretary, Zingiswa Losi, emphasized that the decision was made to strengthen working-class unity and advance a programme that responds to workers' demands.
The move follows the SACP's decision at its fifth special national congress in December 2024 to contest the municipal polls independently. Cosatu has described its resolution to support both the ANC and SACP as a "super resolution," allowing members to choose which party to vote for. Losi explained that the federation represents members of both political formations and that its unity is crucial in advancing the struggle of workers and society at large.
According to Losi, the super resolution is clear, and Cosatu does not have to navigate it but simply implement it. She added that during the national congress, delegates appreciated that the federation must remain united, beyond political parties, to address the challenges faced by workers. The federation's president, Mike Shingange, also emphasized that Cosatu will not accept a coalition with organizations that support neoliberal agendas or seek to reverse the gains of the revolution.
Cosatu has over 1.5 million members across 16 affiliates, with the largest being the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) and the SA Democratic Teachers' Union. The federation's support for the ANC and SACP has been welcomed by the ANC, which said that the working-class power and consciousness necessary to deliver its victory in the municipal elections can be achieved through the unity of workers.
However, not all parties agree with Cosatu's decision. The Workers and Socialist Party has accused Cosatu of continuing to subordinate workers' struggles to the electoral needs of the ANC. Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast, acting head of the Department of History and Political Studies at Nelson Mandela University, said that the SACP's decision to contest the municipal polls independently was likely due to the ANC losing support and the party not being included in the Government of National Unity.
Breakfast added that both the ANC and SACP will be competing for votes in the municipal polls, which may lead to interesting dynamics. He explained that the SACP had previously decided not to leave the alliance but to swell the ranks of the ANC. The municipal elections are set to take place next Wednesday, and it remains to be seen how Cosatu's support for the ANC and SACP will impact the outcome.
As the elections approach, Cosatu's stance has been made clear: it will continue to support the ANC and SACP, citing the importance of unity among workers and the need to advance a programme that responds to workers' demands. The federation's commitment to its super resolution and its rejection of coalitions with right-wing parties have set the tone for its approach to the municipal elections.
Key points
- Cosatu has reaffirmed its support for the ANC and SACP ahead of the municipal elections.
- The federation's decision is based on the need to preserve unity among workers and advance a programme that responds to workers' demands.
- The SACP's decision to contest the municipal polls independently has added a new dynamic to the elections.
