What Happened at the Congress
The 15th National Congress of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) opened on Monday with high hopes. Delegates gathered to elect new leaders, discuss workers’ struggles, and set the federation’s direction. However, the meeting was adjourned the next day before it could be formally constituted, leaving many important decisions unfinished.
Why the Congress Came to a Halt
A credentials dispute stopped the gathering from reaching the quorum needed to proceed. Some affiliates had delegates present but did not submit their paperwork to the Secretariat. Without those credentials, the delegates could not be counted toward the required number.
- The disagreement was sparked partly by the status of Mike Shingange, whose suspension led some unions, including the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), to withhold their credentials.
- The South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers’ Union (SACCAWU) also challenged the number of delegates allocated to it, arguing it deserved 160 instead of the 140 given.
- An additional 20 observers were expected, adding to the tension over representation.
Costs and Savings
COSATU president Zingiswa Losi said the first attempt cost about R12 million. Because the congress was paperless, most documents, T‑shirts, and banners were already paid for and will not need to be reproduced.
- “The only thing we still need to deal with is the venue,” Losi explained.
- To keep expenses low, the federation is looking at cheaper options such as a stretched tent, a hospital hall, a marquee, or borrowing space from churches that can host large groups.
Looking Ahead: Reconvening the Congress
The goal is to reconvene within 30 days while keeping costs down. LOSI emphasized that the federation will examine every line item for possible savings, now that many items are already covered. The focus will be on securing a suitable, affordable venue and moving forward with the leadership elections and policy discussions that were left hanging.
Unfinished Worker Issues
Because the congress ended early, delegates never got to debate the pressing challenges facing South African workers, including:
- High unemployment and persistent inequality
- Poverty and the threat of retrenchments
- Occupational health and safety concerns
- Gender‑based violence in the workplace
- The impact of artificial intelligence on jobs
- COSATU’s political stance toward the ANC and the South African Communist Party (SACP) ahead of local elections
Losi noted that these topics were the very reason workers sent their representatives to the congress.
SACP’s Call for Unity
The South African Communist Party urged COSATU to resolve its internal differences and use the reconvened congress to refocus on workers’ needs. The SACP stressed that a strong, united trade‑union movement is essential to fight mass retrenchments, unemployment, and the effects of technological change, including AI. It also highlighted issues such as unpaid municipal salaries, privatisation, outsourcing, austerity, corruption, and governance failures, urging COSATU to develop a clear programme of action.
Conclusion
The abrupt end of COSATU’s 15th National Congress highlighted both the financial and organizational challenges the federation faces. By cutting venue costs and reusing existing materials, COSATU aims to regroup quickly and tackle the vital worker issues that remain unresolved. Unity among affiliates, as urged by the SACP, will be key to moving forward and ensuring that the congress can fulfill its mandate to protect and advance workers’ rights.
