Mantashe walks out of COSATU congress

African National Congress (ANC) national chairperson Gwede Mantashe has walked out of the COSATU National Congress in Kempton Park east of Johannesburg.

Mantashe was leading the ANC’s delegation to the federation’s reconvened congress.

He was not happy that he had to speak first followed by the South African Communist Party (SACP) and then South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO), insisting on speaking at the end.

Attempts to stop him from leaving and convincing him to speak by his party’s Veterans League President Snuki Zikalala and COSATU General Secretary Solly Phetoe failed.

He said the tradition has been that the ANC speaks last.

Earlier, COSATU President Zingiswa Losi called for unity within the labour federation, warning that internal divisions risk undermining the movement.

Losi delivered the keynote address at the reconvened 15th National Congress.

Her remarks come against the backdrop of growing divisions within the tripartite alliance after the SACP’s decision to contest the November 4th local government elections independently.

“And therefore comrades, the alliance remains the most effective and the most progressive political vehicle to advance working class struggles.

And we will not abandon it when times are tough.

Nor we will allow comrades our differences to distract or to divide us.”