COSATU’s national congresses are critical gatherings where the federation reviews its policies, elects leadership, and sets its agenda for the coming years. These congresses, held every three years, provide a platform for union affiliates to discuss issues affecting workers and assess the organization’s role in broader political, social, and economic struggles. Below is an overview of key moments in COSATU’s national congresses.
Founding Congress (1985)
- Date: December 1-3, 1985
- Location: Durban, South Africa
- Significance:
- COSATU was officially launched, uniting 33 unions with a combined membership of about 450,000 workers.
- It adopted a strong anti-apartheid stance and pledged allegiance to the broader liberation struggle.
- Key decisions included the adoption of nonracialism, democratic unionism, and solidarity across all workers’ struggles.
Early Congresses (1980s-1990s)
Second National Congress (1987)
- Focused on consolidating worker unity amid increasing state repression during the apartheid regime.
- Strengthened its commitment to the Tripartite Alliance (COSATU, ANC, and SACP).
Third National Congress (1991)
- Held as apartheid began to crumble, with Nelson Mandela released and political organizations unbanned.
- Discussed the role of labor in the transition to democracy.
- Pushed for the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) as a post-apartheid economic framework.
Fourth National Congress (1994)
- Occurred shortly after the first democratic elections.
- Focus shifted to ensuring worker representation in the new ANC-led government.
- Emphasized economic justice and the implementation of the RDP.
Post-Apartheid Congresses
Sixth National Congress (1997)
- Addressed concerns about the government’s shift toward market-oriented policies under the Growth, Employment, and Redistribution (GEAR) strategy.
- COSATU expressed dissatisfaction with neoliberal tendencies, which it argued were detrimental to workers.
Eighth National Congress (2003)
- Focused on unemployment, poverty, and inequality in the post-apartheid economy.
- Reaffirmed commitment to the Tripartite Alliance while urging the ANC to prioritize workers’ needs.
Tenth National Congress (2009)
- Highlighted the global financial crisis’s impact on South African workers.
- Called for state-led industrial policies and stronger social protections.
Recent Congresses (2010s-2020s)
Eleventh National Congress (2012)
- Marked by growing tensions within the Tripartite Alliance.
- Debates about leadership succession in the ANC and its impact on COSATU’s influence were central.
Twelfth National Congress (2015)
- Occurred after the controversial expulsion of NUMSA, South Africa’s largest union, in 2014.
- Focused on rebuilding unity within COSATU.
- Discussions centered on wage inequality, corruption, and political accountability.
Thirteenth National Congress (2018)
- Reaffirmed COSATU’s role in advocating for a living wage and addressing unemployment.
- Criticized corruption in government and the ANC, while calling for decisive action to restore public trust.
Fourteenth National Congress (2021)
- Focused on the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on workers.
- Called for job creation, an end to austerity measures, and stronger social protection programs.
- Addressed ongoing tensions within the Tripartite Alliance, emphasizing the need for a pro-worker agenda.
Key Themes Across Congresses
- Worker Unity: Reaffirming solidarity among unions despite internal and external pressures.
- Political Alignment: Balancing its relationship with the ANC while advocating for an independent pro-worker voice.
- Economic Justice: Addressing inequality, unemployment, and exploitation.
- Social Challenges: Fighting corruption, improving service delivery, and promoting policies that benefit workers and the poor.
These congresses have been instrumental in shaping COSATU’s legacy as both a labour movement and a political actor in South Africa.
