Cosatu congress resumes amid a row over Mantashe, with new leaders due by Thursday
Cosatu's 15th national congress resumed after an adjournment. eNCA carried President Ramaphosa's address to the reconvened congress. News24 reported that Gwede Mantashe's refusal to speak before the SACP sparked more chaos, and SABC News reported that he walked out. SABC News quoted Parks saying most of the issues behind the adjournment were resolved, and said the congress runs until Thursday and is expected to elect new leaders. DailyDrop did not see candidate names in the reports.
Cosatu is the largest trade-union federation and is allied with the ANC and the SACP. Its leadership affects wage talks and the politics of the ruling alliance.
If you belong to a Cosatu-affiliated union, the new leaders will speak for you in national talks on wages and jobs.
Those who defend Mantashe see the row as a dispute about protocol and who speaks first.
Critics say it shows deeper splits between the ANC and the SACP inside the alliance.
Watch who is elected on Thursday and whether the SACP and the ANC both accept the result.
DailyDrop South Africa edition No. 9 · Morning · TUE., OCT. 13, 2026