Shingange elected Cosatu president as Losi becomes general secretary

By Johnathan Paoli

Cosatu’s first deputy president, Mike Shingange, has been elected president of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), defeating South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) deputy president Mabutho Cele in a contested leadership race at the federation’s reconvened 15th National Congress on Wednesday.

Shingange secured 978 votes against Cele’s 836, with three spoilt ballots and four abstentions recorded in the presidential election.

A total of 1,816 delegates participated in the leadership elections.

Outgoing Cosatu president Zingiswa Losi was elected general secretary, defeating incumbent Solly Phetoe with 996 votes to 809.

Losi’s move from the presidency to the federation’s senior administrative position opened the way for a contest to lead the organisation.

South African Clothing and Textile Workers Union (Sactwu) president Susan Khumalo was elected first deputy president after narrowly defeating National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) candidate Duncan Luvuno.

Khumalo received 915 votes against Luvuno’s 882, with