Dlamini warns against Ramaphosa

S’dumo wary of unconditional support

Outgoing Cosatu president S’dumo Dlamini has warned the federation to be vigilant and not to give unconditional support to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government without first knowing if workers would benefit from his “New Dawn” and “Thuma Mina” slogan.

Following days of speculation about his future, Dlamini finally confirmed to delegates that he was not available for reelection, hence paving the way for his deputy Zingiswa Losi to be elected as the federation’s first woman president.

Dlamini, who became unpopular within Cosatu ranks for his close ties with former president Jacob Zuma, focussed much of his speech on the achievements of the federation during his presidency.

Although some in Cosatu saw him as soft on government during the Zuma years, his parting speech was peppered with militant talk, going as far as to say workers would lose their influence over government to big business if they are not vigilant.

“Comrade Cyril Ramaphosa came up with the slogan ‘Thuma Mina’ and we as Cosatu said let us discuss the content and give it more meaning so that we can support those issues,” he said.

The Thuma Mina campaign, which was launched earlier this year by the ANC, is part of the party’s efforts to reconnect with communities and improve people’s lives which include improving social services, environmental activities and land expropriation, among other things.

“Don’t just say “new dawn” and ends there because we get shocked as workers when the VAT increases, a possibility of retrenchments, ratings agencies (SA downgraded), fuel increases, increase of the interests rates and it just end there. Kanti kwenzenjani? (What is happening?)” Dlamini said.