New Cosatu leaders outline plans for renewal

Responsibilities will be to restore unity with affiliates, fight corruption

THE newly-elected Cosatu leadership in the province will prioritise organisational, socio-economical and political renewal of the organisation, according to secretary Malvern de Bruyn.

He was elected to replace the vocal Tony Ehrenreich at the weekend, when 240 000 delegates met for two days for the conference.

Among those elected were Mohlatse Tsobane as provincial chairperson, his deputy Andile Ngqabeka and treasurer Ingrid Bukes.

De Bruyn said it was crucial that the tripartite alliance, formed by the ANC, Cosatu and the SACP, worked together to confront challenges facing the working class.

The new leadership would have to champion health and education, and combat the water crisis, corruption, gangsterism, and alcohol and drug abuse issues, De Bruyn said.

Its main responsibilities were to represent its members in the workplace, restore unity and cohesion in its affiliates, build structures in rural areas and ensure effective servicing.

“The divisions of the past must be set aside as we embark on this new call for unity and organisational renewal.

“We will identify who we know is the corrupt guy and report the person to the relevant structures.

“There is an urgent need to prepare ourselves to confront the effects of artificial intelligence and the fourth industrial revolution, so that jobs can be defended and created,” he said.

Cosatu would be taking up campaigns in the various socio-economic areas that affected the working class.

“The need to ensure equality of prospects of learners in education must be reinforced by equality of resources and facilities in all schools through the equitable share of funding.

“Cosatu will further campaign against the privatisation of education and will demand decent equality public education,” said De Bruyn.

He said the public health service was deteriorating and the cuts in services from the provincial government must be confronted through the implementation of the National Health Insurance.

Cosatu would launch a campaign against the “greed” of financial services and promote a state bank, according to De Bruyn.

He said “the dysfunctional transport system” needed urgent attention.

This past weekend’s conference made calls for the inclusion of the union’s Ehrenreich, who has served in the union since 1989.

He would also work within the structures of the ANC to assist with the call for a “decisive election victory” in the province.