COSATU KEEN TO SET UP OWN TV STATION
COSATU in KwaZulu-Natal has decided that it will set up a television station to promote worker issues, arguing that commercial media was hostile to worker struggles.
The union federation said it will draw its inspiration from the newly formed Shembe Unyazi TV, set up by the eBuhleni faction of the Nazareth Baptist Church.
Cosatu provincial secretary Edwin Mkhize stressed that workers needed their own platform to tell their stories.
“The time is right for workers to have their own media. If Shembe can do it, why can’t Cosatu do it,” asked Mkhize.
He was speaking at Cosatu’s provincial conference in Durban, where he was re-elected unopposed.
Besides the TV channel, Cosatu resolved to increase its presence in the media’s ranks by launching both its news publication and a radio station.
“We reaffirm the previous Cosatu resolution on the need for a left alternative, a workerowned and controlled media,” said Mkhize
The province would also prop up support for the newly formed Liberated Metal Work- ers Union of SA (Limusa).
Cosatu second deputy president Zingiswa Losi told delegates they should spare no effort in backing Limusa.
“Our detractors want Limusa to fail. Let’s not give them the satisfaction. We all have a mandate of uniting Cosatu and to continue supporting unions under siege,” she said.
Limusa was established to replace the expelled National Union of Metalworkers.
The fractured federation needed to be united, she said
Losi said Cosatu welcomed the substantial discussions and progress made at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) on labour brokers.
“Our stance hasn’t changed, we are still calling for the total ban of labour brokers. Ours is to now monitor whether amendments on labour brokers have been implemented.”
Former Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and his ally Irvin Jim, Numsa’s general secretary, also came under attack. Delegates sang disparaging songs about them, posing the question “What can you do with Vavi and Jim?”