SAFTU 'alive and kicking' says re-elected Vavi
Zwelinzima Vavi insists the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) is “alive and kicking” despite the divisions within the federation.
The second-largest trade union federation in the country concluded its week-long national congress in Boksburg.
Vavi was re-elected as general-secretary, beating his opponent Moses Mautsoe despite facing allegations of the mismanagement of funds.
The largest trade union in the federation, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) lost a motion to lift the suspension of four senior officials who had previously suspended Vavi for alleged misconduct.
Addressing the media after the congress, Vavi said their main focus is to unite workers.
"We must be wise enough to acknowledge that we have made mistakes that have paralysed and caused unnecessary divisions. This has not been in the interests of the trade union movement or of the working class as a whole.
"We have defied the prophets of doom. We have demonstrated that in our movement we have the most experienced cadres that will not forsake the interests of workers. Four out of six of our newly-elected national office bearers are women.
"With this leadership, we must re-energise and mobilise our existing members. We must also turn outwards towards the millions of workers that are yet to become organised and bring them into our unions and to strengthen their struggles."
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