Labour federation Cosatu in the Eastern Cape has two new faces in its leadership structure after concluding its 15th provincial congress at the weekend.
A total of 628 delegates from 16 affiliated unions descended on the East London ICC for the two-day congress.
All four of the leadership positions were elected unopposed.
Noluthando Masango was elected as Cosatu’s provincial chair, having acted in the role since the departure of Zolani Ndlela.
She became the first woman to hold the position in the province since Cosatu’s inception.
Masango was the former Nehawu provincial chair.
She has had a career spanning nearly two decades as a unionist with her first position of leadership in Nehawu as the branch chair of the education department in Komani.
Speaking after her election, Masango said her first step was to unite the workers.
“This is both a profound honour and great responsibility.
“This is not just a historic moment for me but for women, it’s a testament on the progress we’ve made in advancing workers and women’s rights.”
In her closing address to delegates, she said: “I’m deeply committed in strengthening our organisation. Those who paved the way for us will not be let down.
“When you are a leader, you need to inspire. Also, you can’t lead people without loving them.”
Masango said the new leadership wanted to hit the ground running and address the pressing issues faced by workers.
“The road will be bumpy because of the shift in the political landscape that is happening.
“In the private sector we still have unconducive, toxic working environments. We want to ensure there is equality and respect in our workspace.
“Despite a changing political landscape, the values and traditions of Cosatu must not change,” she said.
Mkhawuleli Maleki retains his position as provincial secretary since being elected in 2022.
He had previously acted in the role from 2019.
“My re-election is an expression of confidence in the role that I was playing in the last term, not just as an individual but as [part of] a collective,” he said.
Former ANC Nelson Mandela Bay region deputy chair Phumzile Tshuni is one of the federation’s new leaders after being elected as provincial deputy chair.
Tshuni had served as the SA Municipal Workers’ Union regional chair in the Bay and in ANC Youth League structures in the region.
Another new face, Lungiswa Sikatele, was elected provincial treasurer.
Sikatele, who served in the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) regional structures in the province, takes over the reins from Sithembele Ndlala.
After the closing remarks, the delegates sang struggle songs, calling for unity.
Daily Dispatch
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