Losi: ANC needs workers’ help to rid itself of criminals
Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) president Zingiswa Losi says workers will need to help the ANC get its house in order before the 2024 elections.
Losi delivered the opening address at the trade union federation’s national congress in Midrand on Monday.
The congress, which runs from Monday to Thursday, will also see the election of new national leadership.
Cosatu, which is an alliance partner to the ANC, will also discuss issues such as unemployment, corruption and the continuous rolling blackouts.
Losi told delegates the ANC will lose further electoral support if the party refuses to change course.
"We must help the ANC to rid itself of criminal elements if it is to be saved,” she said.
“We must continue to support the SACP because its voice is critical more than ever now. The left axis of the alliance must be strengthened. Workers have sent a clear message to the ANC in the local elections and if the ANC doesn't get itself together, if the ANC doesn't deliver quality public services, if it doesn't tackle corruption, if it doesn't fix Eskom, if the ANC doesn't save Metrorail and Transnet, if it doesn't grow the economy, if it fails to provide jobs and provide relief for the unemployed, then we will face a repeat of the disastrous 2021 elections result in 2024, no doubt about that.
“It is all in the African National Congress’ hands, and this is something that workers cannot afford because winning the 2024 elections is not about ensuring jobs for comrades in Parliament. We are not campaigning for others to get positions in Parliament," Losi added.
Losi says the upcoming 2024 elections must be about the rights of workers.
"Winning the 2024 elections is about defending the hard-won victories and the rights of workers, 2024 elections must be about that, and we cannot afford to fail, because we have seen in the metros comrades. A government led by the opposition will spell the end of many victories workers have achieved.
“And also a coalition that is led by the ANC will struggle to deliver the demands of workers, because in coalitions it’s no longer about the manifestos, it is about the individuals and the personalities that are on the table discussing the coalition. Voters have been forgotten hence there is no stability. So, we cannot afford to gamble upon the rights of workers.”
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