By Levy Masiteng
The Congress of SA Trade Unions has congratulated the newly elected leaders of its affiliate, the National Union of Mineworkers.
NUM’s three-day national congress culminated in the election of Phillip Vilakazi as president, Olehile Kgware as deputy president, Mpho Phakedi as general secretary, Phillip Mankge as deputy general secretary and Helen Diatile as treasurer general.
“We look forward to deepening the umbilical bonds between the federation and its affiliate, NUM, which played a leading role in the founding of Cosatu,” said Cosatu spokeswoman Zanele Sabela.
“The federation is committed to working with the newly elected leadership to take the union, the federation and working-class struggles forward.”
Cosatu said the new leaders had significant challenges to tackle, including job losses and fatalities.
In the past year alone, the sector shed 13,000 jobs and recorded 42 fatalities, it said.
“One death is one too many, given the devastating impact of losing a breadwinner on family,” it said.
The construction sector was under siege from the construction mafia, while policy uncertainty plagued the energy sector.
Sabela said the new leadership marked a new era for worker advocacy in South Africa.
“The federation looks forward to working with the newly elected leadership to advance the interests of workers and promote social justice.”
Vilakazi has assured workers in the mining sector to expect strong representation and advocacy.
“We are excited about the future and look forward to working with Cosatu to advance the interests of workers,” he said.
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