By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Mike Shingange, the former president of Nehawu, has been elected as the new leader of Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), succeeding Zingiswa Losi.
Shingange was up against Mabutho Cele, deputy president of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu), during Cosatu’s 15th national congress at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park.
Shingange received 973 votes, while Cele garnered 836.
The gathering was reconvened after the initial elective congress collapsed after delegates refused to submit their credentials.
The congress was held under the theme of worker control, considered organisational renewal, socioeconomic challenges and the political direction of the labour movement.
Losi, who vacated the presidency, was elected general secretary after defeating the incumbent, Solly Phetoe. Her election is historic, making her the first woman to occupy federation’s top administrative post.
South African Clothing and Textile Workers Union (Sactwu) president Susan Khumalo was elected first deputy president after narrowly defeating National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) candidate Duncan Luvuno.
Khumalo received 915 votes against Luvuno’s 882, with one spoilt ballot and 18 abstentions.
South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union (Saccawu) first deputy president Mbali Blose was elected unopposed as second deputy president, while Gerald Twala retained the deputy general secretary position, also unopposed.
National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) national treasurer Khomotso Makhupola defeated Mike Manganye with 966 votes to 832.
No spoilt ballots were recorded in the election, while 18 delegates abstained.
The newly elected leadership will be expected to turn the congress’s resolutions into programmes that address workers’ economic concerns while navigating the challenges facing organised labour and the broader political alliance.
In his address to delegates, Shingange called on COSATU to rebuild its structures, strengthen local branches and grow its affiliated unions.
He also welcomed the Communication Workers Union (CWU) back into the federation and stressed the need to restore unions that have been placed under administration to the control of their members.
“We must build our organization, comrades. We must strengthen and revive our locals. We must build our affiliates,” Shingange said.
He criticised the prolonged administration of unions, arguing that workers were being deprived of control over their organisations while administrators remained in place for extended periods.
Shingange said COSATU must work to return these unions to their members, whom he described as the rightful owners of the organisations.