By QAANITAH HUNTER –
It was around this time last year, when the initial signs of deep divisions in Cosatu surfaced and the ANC made its first attempts to place the proverbial lid on a sizzling pot.
In the wake of the suspension of Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, the ANC called for an “alliance summit” to discuss common interests and shared concerns over the “neoliberal path” the country was taking. In simple terms – it was an effort to cosy up to each other in the wake of Cosatu opposed to a policy decision of the ANC, the National Development Plan (NDP), and other irritants of the day.
The most interesting bit of news to emerge from the three day meeting in Irene, Pretoria, was that the National Union of Metalworkers South Africa (Numsa) – Cosatu’s largest affiliate – did not attend the summit. It stood out because Numsa had rejected the entire NDP, rejected eTolls and had a bone or two to pick with the ruling party. This would have been a good opportunity to engage the ANC.
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