COSATU Elects New Leadership at 15th Congress
The federation has appointed its new leadership team ahead of the upcoming local government elections in November.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Unions
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The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) concluded its 15th National Congress by electing a new leadership team, including Mike Shingange as president. The newly elected group will lead the federation as it prepares to support its alliance partners in the upcoming polls.
Why it matters
The leadership changes align with a broader commitment to ensuring gender equality in union representation. Furthermore, the federation has officially resolved to support the African National Congress and the South African Communist Party during the local government elections this November.
The 15th National Congress resulted in the election of Mike Shingange as president and Susan Khumalo as deputy president. Zingiswa Losi, who served as president since September 2018, now assumes the role of General Secretary.
The players
Mike Shingange
He is the newly elected president of COSATU.
Susan Khumalo
She serves as the newly elected deputy president of the union federation.
Zingiswa Losi
She is the new General Secretary who previously served as president from 2018.
African National Congress
This is the governing political party of South Africa.
South African Communist Party
This political organisation is a partner within the long-standing tripartite alliance.
The details
The congress prioritised the election of women to key leadership roles to ensure more equal representation across the federation. While COSATU plans to support the African National Congress and the South African Communist Party, the latter intends to contest the local government elections independently of the formal alliance.
Timeline
Zingiswa Losi began her tenure as president in September 2018.
The union elected its new leadership on Wednesday, 14 October 2026.
Local government elections are scheduled for November 2026.
Political Context
The federation's support for the African National Congress and the South African Communist Party underscores the endurance of the Tripartite Alliance. However, the decision of the SACP to contest local elections independently suggests a strategic divergence within this historical partnership.
The federation's political stance impacts the local government elections in November by aligning union support behind specific candidates. Voters should monitor how these party endorsements influence local campaign platforms and candidate messaging in their respective municipalities.
The takeaway
The election of a new leadership team marks a transition for the union federation as it looks toward upcoming political challenges. Members and supporters should anticipate a shift in the organisation's internal dynamics as it balances alliance commitments with internal reforms.
Further reading
For additional context on labour organisations, visit the Unions section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Gagasi FM.
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