KZN Cosatu optimistic ANC manifesto launch will unite alliance

AS THE ANC gears up to celebrate its 107th birthday on Tuesday and launch its elections manifesto on January 12, its tripartite alliance partner Cosatu in Kwazulu-natal expects the events to unite the movement and erase factions and divisions that have rocked the province.

Edwin Mkhize, Cosatu KZN provincial secretary, said he was thankful that KZN has been trusted with hosting the big national event.

“This shows that there is confidence in us as KZN and that we have capacity host an event of this magnitude. We expect that the programmes will unite us and particularly as the tripartite alliance. We would like to move on from the problems of divisions and factions in KZN,” Mkhize said.

He said Cosatu anticipated the ANC’S manifesto launch would tackle issues such as unemployment.

“We are facing a crisis and we need to know how this will be addressed. We also expect to hear how the ANC will improve the conditions of workers.”

Mkhize said they also expected the manifesto to layout the ANC’S plans to avert privatisation of state-owned enterprises and the outsourcing of government work to private companies.

“We want the ANC’S manifesto to reassure us that the issue of returning the land to the people does not end up just being a dream because we are clear, as Cosatu, that there should be an amendment of the Constitution if we want to realise this objective.

“We also expect clarification on several issues including the issue of our stagnant economy and what the ANC will do to boost growth in the country,” he said.

Political analyst Thabani Khumalo said the event is “an opportunity for the ANC to position itself ahead of the elections”.