IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS: Red T-shirts all that remain of Cosatu’s dynamism
The union federation’s leadership still appears disconnected from its mandate, writes Theto Mahlakoana
Delegates attending the Cosatu central committee meeting traipsed sluggishly and silently along the corridors of the St Georges Hotel in Irene last Monday. Missing in action were the songs and vibrancy that characterise the union federation’s gatherings. The central committee is the second-highest decision-making body in Cosatu and its meetings are held between congresses to review progress with programmes. But by its own admission, the biggest worker federation in the country is struggling to implement its resolutions because of funding problems, including unforeseen costs such as legal fees. The loss of at least R1.6m in unpaid membership fees contributes to the problem. Such problems can be easily resolved by improved fee-collection strategies and the prioritisation of worker interests, if they were the only impediments. But although Cosatu’s leaders insist that the deep rifts that have threatened the existence of the organisation over the past five years are beginning to heal, i...
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