ANALYSIS| Cosatu at 40: AI, job losses and a union movement under pressure

• Cosatu’s 15th national congress promises high drama as the federation confronts shrinking membership, technological disruption, and a fragile alliance ahead of critical elections.

• Delegates will wrestle with the future of jobs in an era of AI and automation, while debating resolutions that could reshape South Africa’s labour movement.
  
• Behind the paywall lies an inside look at how the country’s largest union federation plans to defend workers and redefine its role in a changing economy.

By Amy Musgrave

Cosatu heads into its 15^th national congress next week facing challenges on several fronts.

It has missed its membership target again, the world of work is being transformed by technology at an unprecedented speed, and there is a continuous threat to the livelihood of its members due to the limping economy.

Other issues that will be uppermost in delegates’ minds are whom they back in the November local government elections and a