LOCAL ELECTIONS 2026: Cosatu breaks with exclusive ANC support to back left-wing ‘super pact’
Following the reconvening of Cosatu’s elective conference, newly elected president Mike Shingange called for unity with the ANC and SACP, while opening the door for members to campaign for multiple left-leaning parties in upcoming elections.
In South Africa's upcoming local elections in 2026, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has abandoned its exclusive support for the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and will back a left-wing "super pact" of parties. Newly elected Cosatu president Mike Shingange announced the decision at the reconvened Cosatu National Conference, held following a failed conference in September.
Shingange stated that Cosatu members are free to vote and campaign for any party of their choice, emphasizing that the DA, Freedom Front Plus, and other neoliberal organizations are not invited to the Conference of the Left. The SACP, for the first time, will contest the local government elections independently. Shingange's path to presidency was marred by controversy when he was suspended from Nehawu, a trade union he was affiliated with, just days before the conference began.
Despite the suspension, the Labour Court reinstated Shingange as Cosatu's presidential candidate. Cosatu's new national office-bearers also included Susan Khumalo as first deputy president, Mbali Blose as second deputy president, Kgomotso Makhupola as national treasurer, and Gerald Twala as deputy general secretary.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
