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cosatu congresslatest news & developments
Gwede Mantashe and Cyril Ramaphosa. File photo

Mantashe ‘took a hit for ANC’ after Ramaphosa was advised against attending Cosatu congress

The decision for national chair Gwede Mantashe to address delegates in order to avoid the president being ‘embarrassed’ was allegedly made just hours before the congress started

The federation held a special central executive committee meeting in Johannesburg this week at which it resolved to oppose any attempts to privatise state-owned entities. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Cosatu report: A hodgepodge of perplexity

A paper presented at its congress shows Cosatu leaders may have drunk too much ANC Kool-Aid.

Healing touch: Bheki ­Ntshalintshali was elected as the general secretary of the trade union ­federation at its congress this week.

Federation speaks with new voice

Could Cosatu’s new general secretary be the answer to its recent troubled history?

ANC head of economic transformation Enoch Godongwana.

ANC rejects Cosatu’s call for a ban on labour brokers

ANC head of economic transformation Enoch Godongwana insists Cosatu’s recent resolution is not economically viable and borders on unconstitutional.

Cosatu speaks by electing new secretary general

Could the new Cosatu general secretary, Bheki Ntshalintshali, be the answer to its recent troubled history?

General secretary of the South African Communist Party Blade Nzimande has described media articles about President Jacob Zuma and Nkandla as ‘white people’s lies’.

Blade Nzimande blasts ANC’s ‘parasitic bourgeoisie’

Addressing the Cosatu national congress, Nzimande launched a veiled attack against factions he believes are trying to derail the tripartite alliance.

Proper debate: Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini says judges should be independent, but must be open to criticism. Delwyn Verasamy, M&G

Cosatu top brass clings to leadership

Despite resistance from Fawu, five out of six national leaders retained their positions uncontested – Zwelinzima Vavi the only exception.

Cyril Ramaphosa says a state capture inquiry should simultaneously be broad and focused.

Cosatu top brass clings to leadership

Despite resistance from Fawu, five out of six national leaders retained their positions uncontested – Zwelinzima Vavi the only exception.

Cosatu appeals for congress cash

Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini says the organisation needs more money than it has to fund its national congress.

Media removed from Cosatu special congress

Cosatu’s special national congress began on Monday with the media being kicked out before the formal programme began.

Cosatu general-secretary Zwelinzima Vavi

Cosatu affiliates take Sdumo Dlamini to court

Barely a month after the ANC intervened to broker truce within the embattled labour federation, unions have taken the Cosatu president to court.

As nominations from provinces pour in

Road to Mangaung: Who leads the pack?

A poll says South Africans preferred Kgalema Motlanthe as their leader but last week’s Cosatu congress went in favour of Jacob Zuma — who will prevail?

Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini.

Cosatu cheat sheet: All you need to know

Tuned out of the endless coverage of Cosatu’s conference this week? No matter, here’s everything you need to know in five snarky points.

The congress has also called for a radical economic shift that would include the realignment of the treasury and a new mandate for the Reserve Bank.
Video

Fire and pro-Zuma songs at Cosatu conference

Defiant NUM delegates set alight a pile of documents outside the Cosatu conference venue and sang pro-Zuma songs. Watch the videos.

Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi. (Madelene Cronje, M&G)
Video

M&G Hangout: Cosatu 2012

Cosatu’s conference is over, its leadership unchanged and Mangaung lies ahead. Watch our weekly live video featuring your questions and our reporters.

Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi. (Madelene Cronje, M&G)

Vavi: Down with corruption, forward with Lula

He’s pushing for the sort of change that transformed Brazil, but analysts reckon only one leader can take South Africa there: Zwelinzima Vavi himself.

Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi. (Madelene Cronje, M&G)

Vavi warns against police brutality

Police brutality, the rapacious salaries of mining bosses and the plight of the NUM were a feature of heated debates at Cosatu’s national congress.

Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi. (Madelene Cronje, M&G)

Vavi: Forget ANC succession, focus on the poor

Zwelinzima Vavi has appealed to ANC members pushing for leadership change to abandon the idea and focus on unity and improving the lives of the poor.

President Jacob Zuma has pledged to start a scholarship fund in honour of struggle hero Solomon Mahlangu.

Zuma dances, sings, and woos the unions

Jacob Zuma has made big statements to Cosatu delegates, pronouncing on Marikana and the textbooks crisis, and boasting of the ANC’s service delivery.

Zwelinzima Vavi

Cosatu: Vavi and Dlamini go unopposed

The nominations of Cosatu’s national congress failed to deliver in the election drama stakes: all six positions have remained uncontested.