COSATU press statement - local govt elections and COSATU candidates

The COSATU Western Cape Provincial Executive Committee has reaffirmed its support for the ANC in the upcoming local Government elections, and appreciates that the functioning of the Alliance gives COSATU the space to present a view on the list of candidates for elections.

We believe that the anti-working class assault of the DA on the poor of Elsies River and other instances such as in Hangklip, the toilet saga, the increased threat of evictions on the Cape Flats, the fear mongering and ‘swart gevaar' division (as they have done in the past) being driven between coloured, Indian and African workers,  their clear support for the agenda of the bosses, their insulting behaviour towards the Kaapse Klopse, their withdrawal of previously granted resource support from a number of civil society organisations, continue to expose the true colours of the DA to the working class communities. The manifesto of the ANC responds to the challenges confronted by our people, and reflects the view of our people and COSATU.

All over this province, COSATU members have been nominated for Councillors by ANC branches, as recognition of their role in driving the transformation agenda in our Province and Country. As part of the ANC and tri-partite Alliance election process of Mayoral and other candidates, COSATU would like to make a constructive contribution on its preferences, and as part of this process is continuing discussions with its Affiliates on the release of some of its key Cadres to serve as public representatives.

This is simply a process of trying to be helpful to the ANC, as it has consistently and with unwavering commitment demonstrated its support for the struggles of the poor, workers, non-racialism and non-sexism.

We emphasise that this is in no way whatsoever an attempt to prescribe to ANC structures who their list or Mayoral candidates should be. 

The decision of the COSATU PEC is the start of this process which firstly identifies possible persons; this is then processed through the structures of COSATU, then consulted upon broadly, both inside and outside of the Alliance, and finally engaged upon in the ANC structures in relation to the final candidates that are decided upon by the ANC.

The only reason why we now make public that the COSATU PEC has had internal discussions on the matter, is to stem and pre-empt unwarranted and factually incorrect rumours, and possible destructive speculation. We believe in being straightforward, open and honest with our people. The following principles must help us define the final candidates:

1. A clear link to working class communities

2. A history of prioritising working class struggles

3. A clear program of improved service delivery to our people

4. Placing job creation at the centre of local government delivery services

These criteria we believe assist all of us to define the principles that should determine leadership, and once defined will lead to the individuals being decided.  We are looking forward to the 18 May 2011 and believe that this election holds the key to a change of political practice and priority in the City of Cape Town. 

Statement issued by Jan Kotze, COSATU Western Cape, March 8 2011

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