The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) congratulates the new leadership collective of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) elected at the 13th National Congress.
NEHAWU has emerged from the Congress with Nyameka Macanda, the union’s former 1st Deputy President, elected as its second woman President. Patrick Makhafane, previously the 2nd Deputy President, is now the 1st Deputy President. While Linda Nthulane is now the 2nd Deputy President. Kgomotso Makhupola, has retained her position as National Treasurer and so has General Secretary, Zola Saphetha. Welcome Mnisi has been elected 1st Deputy Secretary, while Baxolise Mali occupies the newly created position of 2nd Deputy Secretary.
NEHAWU’s Congress was held at the Birchwood Hotel & Conference Centre in Boksburg from 26 to 29 June.
COSATU wishes the new national leadership well as it takes control at a time when workers face numerous challenges including high unemployment, stagnant economic growth, escalating cost of living, ever-increasing workload due to a thinning public service wrought on by austerity budgets.
The Federation thanks the outgoing leadership for their tireless efforts on behalf of NEHAWU’s members and the working class to strengthen the hard-won rights of workers, defend the developmental role of the state and lay the path to building socialism.
COSATU once again pledges its unwavering support to the new leadership collective of our militant and revolutionary Affiliate and is heartened by the consistent support it receives from NEHAWU.
Issued by COSATU
Zanele Sabela (COSATU Spokesperson)
Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639
Email: zaneles@cosatu.org.za