Cosatu's support for Ramaphosa pits 1.5-million workers against ANC leagues
Trade union federation Cosatu on Thursday threw its weight behind Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to succeed President Jacob Zuma as leader of the ANC, but it will not publicly call on Zuma to step down yet. In a four-hour discussion at its central executive committee (CEC) meeting this week, Cosatu resolved to support Ramaphosa in a decision opposed only by two of its 19 affiliates. Cosatu’s decision means Ramaphosa is now a contender for the ANC presidency — with a constituency of about 1.5-million workers who make up the federation. He is likely to come up against AU commission chairwoman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, backed by a powerful bloc of ANC provincial chairmen and the party’s leagues. SA’s largest labour federation played an influential role in Zuma’s ascent to the helm of the ANC, but its posture toward him has shifted significantly. Two Cosatu affiliates, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) and the Communication Workers Union (CWU), have public...
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