National 1.5.2015 04.36 pm
National 1.5.2015 04.36 pm
ANA
The Cosatu led march moved from the Worshop mall in the Durban city center herding to the Curries Fountain stadium in Durban under tight security Picture Phumlani Thabethe.
President Jacob Zuma preached the gospel of unity within the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) during a May Day rally at the Curries Fountain Stadium in Durban on Friday.
His comments came as Cosatu was experiencing leadership woes, with its rival and break-away former affiliate, Numsa (National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa), held a march in Durban.
Addressing the crowd, President Zuma urged workers to remain united and not to compromise on this principle.
"Challenges experienced by Cosatu are leaving room for capital to exploit the working class. The interests of workers are best served under a strong and united Cosatu. If divided, you`re weakening the struggle of Cosatu," Zuma warned.
He added: "Let us unite as an alliance, in pursuit of economic freedom, and our task is to lead society."
The president of the country`s biggest trade union federation Cosatu, Sdumo Dlamini, said the attacks on the federation would not sway it from its primary goal of serving workers.
"People have been diving and weakening us, although theirs is a political office," said Dlamini.
South African Communist Party`s Blade Nzimande said Cosatu was not ‘built on a basis of a personality cult.`
"Workers be aware. Those are not leaders, but people who want to lead you in the wrong direction," said Nzimande.
Numsa was expelled from Cosatu last year after it withdrew its support for the ruling African National Congress ahead of the 2014 general elections.
Tripartite alliance strength relies on a united Cosatu - ANC NEC member
Tripartite leaders on Friday called for a united trade union federation.
ANC national executive committee (NEC) member Fikile "Slovo" Majola said a weakened Cosatu would affect the tripartite alliance.
"Cosatu is our ally, and therefore the ANC cannot afford to have a weak Cosatu because a weak Cosatu will lead to a weak ANC," Majola said at the rally at the Mohlakeng Stadium in Randfontein.
"We need a strong, independent Cosatu that is able to represent the interests of its members."
Majola said those who claimed that the alliance was turning Cosatu into a labour desk were being misled.
The trade union federation should go back to basics and address workers` issues on the ground, he said.
"If we wanted a labour desk, we would have established it at [ANC headquaters] Luthuli House. Cosatu must remain independent within the alliance."
Thamsanqa Piet Mathosa, acting president of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), said Cosatu was united but there were a few "elements" who were bent on destroying it.
"As we commemorate 30 years of Cosatu`s existence, we are mindful of those who want to destroy achievements attained for the working class. We as the NUM will continue to fight for workers and make sure the movement lives on."