Cosatu gets its first female leader

For the first time in its history, Cosatu will have a female leader after Zingiswa Losi was nominated unopposed. The Citizen reports that the trade union federation’s four-day congress got under way on Monday, with delegates electing new leaders on Tuesday morning. All positions were not contested, with some names withdrawing from the race. The new first deputy is now Mike Shingange of Nehawu; the new second deputy is Louise Chipe of Saccawu; the general secretary remains Bheki Ntshalintshali; the deputy general secretary remains Solly Phetoe; and treasurer Freda Oosthuysen continues in the role. The report says Losi was previously the deputy president and replaces Sdumo Dlamini.

Here are five things you should know about Zingiswa Losi, reports The Times.

Zingiswa Losi cut her teeth in politics while she was still studying when she became a member of the Congress of SA Students, reports City Press. She also served in the ANC Youth League structures in the Eastern Cape and in the SA National Defence Force for three years. After resigning from the army, Losi was employed by Ford in Port Elizabeth in 2002, as an operator in the engine components and assembly division. She became a quality inspector and, in the same year, a Numsa shop steward at the plant. The outcome of Losi’s unopposed election marks a milestone in SA’s largest trade federation’s history. Since the inception of the union almost 35 years ago, the federation has been dominated by an all-male cast, especially the positions of presidency and top structures within the union.

President Cyril Ramaphosa hailed Zingiswa Losi’s appointment‚ saying it was a victory for women. He added, in a report in The Times: ‘I am confident that in this eminent role‚ Ms Losi will serve the interests of workers with the passion and dedication she has displayed throughout her career as an activist and political leader. In this role she is certain to make an important contribution to our national effort to grow the economy and create jobs.’

The SA Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) is, meanwhile, not participating at the congress due to its standing in the trade union federation. Samwu’s general secretary Simon Mathe is quoted in The Citizen as saying that the union was saddened that for the first time since its formation it would not participate at a Cosatu congress. Mathe said the union was informed by a Cosatu task team that as a result of it not being in good standing due to outstanding affiliation fees, Samwu would not be allowed to attend federation’s 13th national congress. Mathe said the union decided not to bulldoze its way into the congress.

Debt accumulated by Cosatu affiliates in unpaid subscriptions has accounted for 41% of the federation’s expected total income in 2017 at more than R45m. According to a Business Day report, the figures, contained in Cosatu’s finance report painted a bleak picture of the country’s biggest federation’s finances which ran into a deficit in 2015. Cosatu general secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali is quoted as saying that had it not been for the non-payment by members, Cosatu would have a surplus budget yearly. The income shortfall was 16% in 2015 and 30% in 2016. The SA Transport and Allied Workers Union owed R15.7m in 2017, while Sanwu owed R10.2m.