The workers’ parliament is not the same. Gone are the days of workers only! To-day anything goes. Since our democracy big business sponsorship of Cosatu and affiliate events has become synonymous with socialism. A potpourri of conflicting ideologies – multinational corporate logos and revolutionary socialist slogans decorate trade union garments signalling the end of the cold war and the birth of a new global order. But there is a strange logic in this new scheme of things – an alliance of haves and have-nots has given space to the bourgeoisie to market commodities, increase sales and make more profit from the very class that it seeks to assist in the name of social responsibility. So don’t be surprised if you see names like “Old Mutual”, “Lesaka” and “Ferreira” on Cosatu congress t-shirts, caps or bags – it’s all part of the alliance!
