What first time congress delegates said about the congress:
Zodwa Sibiya of Sactwu: “I like the way in which resolutions are being presented and debated. The leadership and speeches are good. On HIV/Aids I’ve learnt that by disclosing your status you live longer, you also get support from the entire leadership of Cosatu.”
Zukile Gayigayi of Sadtu: “I’ve learnt a lot from the speeches although it seems as if there are tensions among our leaders.”
Geraldine Govindsamy of Numsa: “By attending the first congress I feel more educated and more confident of being a shop steward.”
Arthur Gangen, Leonard Wildemans and Roger Okkers from Numsa: “It’s a learning experience. JZ’s speech was an interesting one. We never attend events with his presence. The speeches were good. In future I would like to be involved as a striker to present Numsa positions. The clothing was very big sizes and there were delays!”
Sipho Ndzuzo, SA Football Players Union: “I see that there is unity among the workers and sectors so that it will be easy for the government to fear what we are saying. Speeches were good and the leadership is good.”
Cosatu HouseBy Aubrey ka Saki
Home of revolutionariesset to liberate societyfrom capitalist chainsfor economic freedom to prevail on and forth.
A shield of the nationbroad as the mountainsto engulf and bury deepsuppression and repressionfor have-nots to rejoice.
One hope that is for allbeyond and beyondimaginations of injusticeperpetrators and ill-wishers,to restore human kindness.
One centre of collectivenessto promote goodwill withinfolds of political formationsushered solidified resolutionsfor online directions be sought.
A gift from Mother Natureblessed by Father Timeto install coherencetill death do them part,recorded as Cosatu House.
Rule of lawMdu Ntuli
There is a belief that African names have an influence on the bearer’s conduct and destiny in life. The name of Judge Msimang, the judge presiding over the JZ matter, “Qhedusizi” means the “one who finishes sorrows’. He did that on the Deputy President’s case. He answered the prayers of millions of poor workers and the working class who had raised serous concerns around this case. Among other things raised was that this case is a political conspiracy disguised as dealing with corruption, it was a violation of his constitutional rights as well as influencing the succession outcome of the ANC and a smear campaign by NPA. As news that JZ’s case had been struck off reached the congress, delegates sprang into action, it was the unifying panacea to a tense congress. Subsequent to this news from Pietermaritzburg, Sadtu seconded by Nehawu put forward the special resolution that strengthened the last Central Executive Committee (CEC) decision on the reinstatement of JZ to the position of Deputy President of the country.That night when the Cosatu treasurer was giving her financial report, JZ made a grand entrance fresh from victory, and delegates sung “Thina nalo Zuma sobulala igovu lenja” (with Zuma we will kill pit-bull) for 20 minutes. It signaled the end of the treasurer’s report and the end of proceedings for the second last day!
Who was at the Cosatu Congress?Mlungisi Tikolo
All different class backgrounds were present at Cosatu congress. From the alliance, there was ANC youth league President, Fikile Mbalula, SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande as well as the Young Communist league leader Buti Manamela. From the opposite end of the class spectrum is businessman, Patrice Motsepe.Government and the ANC is well represented in the form of Deputy President of the country Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Deputy President of the ANC Jacob Zuma, its Secretary General Kgalema Motlanthe, as well as Presidential spokesperson Smuts Ngonyama and ministers Membathisi Mdladlana, Joyce Mashamba. Other people with trade union pasts that have shown their faces are Jay Naidoo, past Cosatu general secretary, John Gomomo (past Cosatu president and Numsa VW shop steward), Enoch Godongwana (past Numsa general secretary), Minister Alec Erwin, past Numsa education secretary, Minister Sidney Mufamadi (also one time deputy general secretary of Cosatu) and others. Mother of the nation, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, broke from her past when she made a quiet entry into the congress.And the soccer community was also represented in the form of Dr Irvin Khoza of 2010 LOC, as well as Danny Jordaan.From other political parties, Lybon Mabasa of the Socialist Party of Azania (Sopa) accompanied by Monwabisi Duna were in attendance.