06.12.2025
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COSATU marks 40 years of existence fighting for the rights of workers

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  • COSATU members

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) marks 40 years of existence and will use its anniversary to assert relevance amongst the working class.  

Founded in December 1985, COSATU sought to fight for the rights of workers during the apartheid regime by mobilising workers through national stayaways, strikes and community campaigns. 

The biggest trade union in the country has experienced dwindling support over the years, with a current membership of 1.6 million. 

However, over the years, it has faced some challenges, including the economy, job losses, the expulsion of its then General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, the expulsion of NUMSA and the formation of rival trade unions have contributed to COSATU’s decline in membership. 

But the woman at the helm of COSATU, Zingisa Losi, says all is not lost, adding that the unity of the alliance is sacrosanct. 

“We have been able, as this federation, to ensure that over six million workers have now been plugged into the national wage, including farm workers and domestic workers. The issue of social relief, grief, and disgrace grant was the alliance during the COVID, when the economy was down. After COVID, government wanted to pull it off, but we said you can’t.”  

The trade Union movement was also caught between a rock and a hard place since its alliance partner, SACP has decided to go it alone in next year’s polls.   

COSATU will host their celebrations at the Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday where Alliance leaders are expected to be in attendance. 

ANC General Secretary Fikile Mbalula says COSATU emerged as a beacon of hope during one of the darkest chapters in South Africa’s history.

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