POLITICS · SOUTH AFRICA
Key Facts
- —The country South Africa is Africa’s most industrialised economy, and Cosatu, its largest trade union federation, is a formal ally of the governing ANC.
- —Why it matters The federation shapes labour law, wage policy and budget debates, which affect costs and strike risk for US companies operating in South Africa.
- —Why now The reconvened national congress ended on Wednesday 14 October, three weeks before the 4 November local elections.
- —What happened Delegates elected Mike Shingange president by about 970 votes to 836 and made outgoing president Zingiswa Losi general secretary.
- —The numbers More than 1,800 delegates represented over 1.5 million members, and the new leaders serve a four-year term.
- —What it means for you Expect louder union pressure for wealth taxes, more public investment and curbs on job cuts, which investors in South African assets will watch.
- —Still open Whether the narrow, divided vote heals the federation’s factions, and how it campaigns where the ANC and the Communist Party compete.
Cosatu, South Africa’s largest trade union federation, elected Mike Shingange as its president on Wednesday 14 October. He beat teachers’ union leader Mabutho Cele by about 970 votes to 836 at a congress east of Johannesburg.
For US investors, the result matters because Cosatu is a formal ally of the African National Congress (ANC), the largest party in government. It helped shape South Africa’s labour laws, including the national minimum wage, and pushes hard on wages, taxes and spending.
How Cosatu Chose Its New Leaders
The reconvened 15th national congress met at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park from Monday 12 to Wednesday 14 October. A first attempt in September collapsed after affiliated unions fought over which delegates could attend.
More than 1,800 delegates attended, representing more than 1.5 million union members, the news site GroundUp reported. Business Day, a Johannesburg business daily, put Cosatu’s membership at about 1.6 million.
Reports differed slightly on the winning tally, with GroundUp giving Shingange 972 votes and the broadcaster eNCA 973. Both outlets put the tally for Cele, deputy president of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu), at 836.
Zingiswa Losi, who led Cosatu as president until this week, was elected general secretary, one of its most powerful posts. She beat the incumbent, Solly Phetoe, by 996 votes to 809, according to GroundUp.
Susan Khumalo became first deputy president and Mbali Blose second deputy president. Gerald Twala was elected deputy general secretary, and Kgomotso Makhupola of the public service union Nehawu became treasurer.
Who Is Mike Shingange
Shingange is the former president of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu), a large public sector union. He sits on the central committee of the South African Communist Party (SACP), its top body between congresses.
He is also a vice-president of the World Federation of Trade Unions, a post he won in March 2023. Nehawu suspended him on the eve of the September congress after he allegedly defied an instruction not to sign a nomination form.
The labour court later ruled that the precautionary suspension did not stop him from taking part in the leadership election. In his first address as president, he said the federation had “almost risked collapsing” before delegates cooled down.
Cosatu Backs Both the ANC and the Communist Party
Delegates resolved to urge workers to vote for both the ANC and the SACP in the 4 November local elections. The SACP, which has campaigned for the ANC since the first democratic elections in 1994, plans to contest on its own.
The compromise followed a split between unions that wanted Cosatu to back the SACP and others that refused to pick a side. The congress said it would consult affiliates and alliance partners on a strategy for contests where the two parties face each other.
Tensions with the ANC flared during the congress, when party national chairperson Gwede Mantashe walked out over the order of speakers. Shingange later told delegates the alliance “must not be a tactical alliance when we need it and when we don’t need it”.
The congress declaration, read by Losi, rejected austerity and called for progressive taxation of wealth and a stronger national tax agency. It also demanded more public investment in energy, rail, water and municipal infrastructure.
What It Means for US Readers
US companies with South African operations should expect firmer union pressure on wages, outsourcing and job cuts. The declaration pledged to fight retrenchments, labour broking and loopholes that undermine the national minimum wage.
For holders of South African bonds and the rand, the tax and spending demands add political pressure on fiscal policy. The ANC has governed with other parties in a government of national unity since the 2024 national election.
The narrow margins also point to a divided Cosatu, which could make united national action harder to organise. No candidate won more than 1,000 votes in the contested races, GroundUp noted.
For background, see South Africa Politics Explained, Who Holds Power in 2026 and Who Runs South Africa in 2026, Coalition and Business. Readers in Gauteng province can follow local news on our Johannesburg city page.
What Is Not Known
It is not clear whether the unions that backed Cele will accept the result and work with the new leadership. The status of Nehawu’s disciplinary case against Shingange after his election is also unclear.
Cosatu has not yet set out how it will campaign where the ANC and the SACP compete for the same seats. How the ANC will respond to the dual endorsement before 4 November is also not yet known.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Cosatu’s new president?
Mike Shingange, the former president of the public sector union Nehawu, was elected on Wednesday 14 October. He beat Mabutho Cele of the teachers’ union Sadtu by about 970 votes to 836.
Who is Cosatu’s new general secretary?
Zingiswa Losi, the outgoing president, was elected general secretary. She defeated the incumbent, Solly Phetoe, by 996 votes to 809, according to GroundUp.
Which parties will the federation support in the local elections?
The congress resolved to back both the ANC and the South African Communist Party on 4 November. The Communist Party plans to contest the elections separately from the ANC.
Why does this matter to US investors?
Cosatu is a formal ally of the ANC and helped shape South Africa‘s labour laws. Its demands on wages, taxes and spending can influence policy and strike risk for foreign firms.
How long will the new leaders serve?
The new top leadership will guide the federation for the next four years, SABC News reported. The congress that elected them was the federation’s 15th.
Sources: Business Day, Shingange elected · Business Day, congress resolutions · GroundUp · SABC News · eNCA
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief