New COSATU national leadership elected

Mike Shingange, a former leader of Nehawu, has been elected as the new president of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), succeeding Zingiswa Losi, who now holds the position of general secretary. The election took place during Cosatu's 15th national congress at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, following an initial congress that was halted due to a dispute over delegate accreditation.

Shingange secured 973 votes, narrowly beating Mabutho Cele, who received 836 votes. Losi's election marks a historic first for a woman assuming the role of general secretary, a top administrative position in the federation. Shingange has an extensive background in South Africa's labor movement. Prior to becoming Cosatu president, he led Nehawu and served as the federation's first deputy president.

Nehawu is a significant affiliate within Cosatu, representing workers in sectors such as education and healthcare. During his time as Nehawu president, Shingange became a vocal advocate for workers' rights, labor organization future, and the federation's political ties with the ANC. The appointment of Shingange comes at a crucial time for Cosatu, which boasts a membership of approximately 1.6 million people and continues to be a key player in South Africa's labor relations and political landscape.

Cosatu has traditionally maintained a close relationship with the ANC and the South African Communist Party (SACP) within the tripartite alliance. However, growing dissatisfaction with the ANC's government performance has sparked discussions within the labor federation about the continuation of its electoral support for the ruling party.

In 2022, during the Cosatu national congress, Nehawu was among the affiliated unions advocating for a review of the federation's backing for the ANC, suggesting that support should be directed towards the SACP instead. As Cosatu's president, Shingange will face the challenge of resolving disputes among the federation's affiliated unions while ensuring the organization remains focused on enhancing workers' conditions.

His leadership will be put to the test amidst ongoing issues such as high unemployment, job insecurity, rising living costs, and differing opinions on the nation's economic policy direction.