JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG — The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has officially resolved to support both the ANC and the SACP in the upcoming local elections, despite the two parties competing directly against each other. Emerging from a deeply divided national congress with new leadership, the federation’s decision to back rival factions has raised critical questions about the future of the tripartite alliance and whether political loyalties are overshadowing workers’ bread-and-butter issues.
The recent national congress was marked by significant friction, notably featuring a walkout by ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe following a dispute over the speaking order. Despite the internal political battles, the federation concluded that it must support both the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP) to prevent further fragmentation. However, political analyst Dr. Xolisile Ngumbela notes that this dual endorsement places the labor federation at a crossroads, caught between a rock and a hard place.
According to Dr. Ngumbela, the decision to support both sides is largely an escapist route taken to preserve worker unity. He noted that President Mike Shingange’s strategic approach aimed to prevent the workforce from dividing further, as taking a neutral stance in this political context is impossible. Yet, the analyst warns that prioritizing the unity of the alliance over the actual interests of the workers is a dangerous precedent. While trade unions have a fundamental right to participate in politics—since political decisions dictate wages, employment, and labor regulations—political loyalty must not compromise the federation’s ability to hold those in power accountable.
Dr. Ngumbela emphasized that the ANC must prove it still represents working-class interests, while the SACP must demonstrate an independent electoral strategy that offers a credible alternative. Neither party, he argued, should take the workers’ support for granted.
The congress also highlighted internal leadership and structural challenges. Dr. Ngumbela pointed out that President Shingange did not have an easy path to the throne, and the subsequent relegation of Flo to the secretary-general position—a role described as the engine of the union—signals internal friction. Furthermore, as COSATU faces declining membership, the federation is under pressure to recruit young women and the youth while protecting vulnerable workers, including those on contract, seasonal, and outsourced labor. On a positive note, Dr. Ngumbela commended the federation for successfully electing four women into its executive leadership.
The dual-support strategy presents a practical dilemma on the ground. If the ANC and the SACP are contesting in the same ward, it remains unclear how a COSATU member should campaign or cast their vote. Dr. Ngumbela argued that it is impossible to genuinely support both sides of a political context. He urged the SACP to move beyond merely backing the ANC and to present a clear alternative for the working class, noting that workers are primarily interested in decent work, bridging the inequality gap, and workplace protection rather than abstract political ideologies.
Looking ahead, Dr. Ngumbela outlined six comprehensive recommendations for COSATU and the broader alliance to realign with their core mandate:
1. Build an independent organized labor structure focused strictly on workers’ needs.
2. Establish a binding worker compact.
3. Reconstruct the tripartite alliance around shared policies rather than political positions.
4. Strengthen workplace organizing and forums to address issues directly at the source.
5. Adopt an evidence-based electoral position.
6. Report back to workers consistently, ensuring they are not taken for granted.
Ultimately, the analyst stressed that in the local government setting, workers are not interested in eating ideology; they demand tangible service delivery, decent jobs, and better wages. COSATU must return to the negotiating table to secure these material improvements, ensuring that the political ambitions of the alliance do not harm the very workers it was established to protect.
