The influence of union federation Cosatu in deciding who will become the next leader of the ANC has been thrust into sharp focus through Monday’s events. President Jacob Zuma was booed and prevented from making a speech at a Workers’ Day event organised by Cosatu in Bloemfontein. This was after the labour federation and the SACP — in the lead up to the event — had specifically told the ANC that Zuma would not be welcome to speak at the event. Cosatu affiliates had demanded that Zuma be replaced as the main speaker at its May Day celebrations. Cosatu affiliate the National Health Education and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) wrote to the labour federation on April 21 demanding that it withdraw Zuma and replace him with Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa as the main speaker. Political analyst Ebrahim Fakir said it was difficult to gauge the effect Cosatu members might have on the ANC elective conference in December. This was because there was no audit of Cosatu members who also happened t...
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