Mending rifts in the alliance

President Jacob Zuma has made a powerful appeal to Cosatu to stick with the ANC for the local government elections, warning alliance leaders against causing each other offence by “the manner in which we behave”.

Leaders should “always conduct ourselves in a manner that does not erode this unity (between alliance partners) because it is important for the struggle of our poor”, Zuma said at Cosatu’s 25th anniversary rally at Johannesburg Stadium yesterday.

His call came after the ANC’s most senior leaders stepped in this week to contain fresh tensions threatening to unravel the alliance, which for the first time have pitted Cosatu and the SACP against each other.

Just six months away, the local government elections are a crucial test for Zuma, who has already moved to consolidate his position within his own party at the ANC’s national general council.

Zuma can’t afford to have the alliance racked with discord between the SACP and unions, or for Cosatu to withhold its election support or the workers’ vote.

The polls could determine his ability to run for a second term as party president.

Zuma said yesterday that previous elections had been won “because of a strong alliance and because our election manifesto was addressed by all components of the alliance”.

Those who “wish this alliance to disappear after decades will realise how wrong they were because it is not a paper alliance, an alliance that was formed through conferencing, through a resolution”.

“It is an alliance that was formed in struggle. It is an alliance that was formed in the blood of our people,” he said.

“It is an alliance that has made us what we are today, both at a practical level and an economic level.”

Zuma downplayed differences between the alliance partners, saying they were “not fundamental and do not relate to the strategic nature and content of the revolution. It is what binds us together that is more critical”, he said.

Cosatu boss Zwelinzima Vavi asked for “a more active government that has the capacity to enforce the laws of the land”.

He also asked that ANC and SACP colours be worn at Cosatu marches and rallies “so that we show that solidarity is critical”.

Cosatu president S’dumo Dlamini attributed alliance tensions to a “lack of political will by government to implement ANC and alliance resolutions and the (elections) manifesto”.

But he expressed hope that relations would be mended, saying it would “depend on consistent and decisive leadership” to take forward the resolutions from the ANC’s national general council in September.

SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande said “it is absolutely essential that we protect and deepen the special relationship and bond between the SACP and Cosatu”.

This was “a relationship we must not take for granted but (must) continuously and consciously cultivate” as it was important for the future of the country.

Despite the calls for unity, the body language between Nzimande and Vavi was revealing: they sat next to each other on stage but were not seen to exchange niceties.

Vavi sat next to Zuma and they walked to the field together and even hugged at the end of proceedings.

Cosatu’s call for Nzimande to give up being Higher Education Minister to focus on building the SACP has ruffled feathers, as has Cosatu’s firm position that it would not be giving the ANC a “blank cheque” of support in the upcoming polls and would not back “corrupt or lazy” candidates.

VIPs at the event included leaders of Cosatu affiliates such as Sadtu president Thobile Ntola; former unionist and axed minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya; Justice Minister and ANC policy head Jeff Radebe and his wife, mining entrepreneur Bridgette; and her brother, mining magnate Patrice Motsepe. - Sunday Independent