'COPE was planning to merge with the DA' - Mbhazima Shilowa

Clement Manyathela is joined in the studio by former Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa.

Shilowa's career in politics began in the trade union movement of the early 80s.

He is the one-time president of the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) and was a leading figure in the formation of Cosatu.

He would also later form part of the ANC's negotiating team at Codesa.

But in 2008, after many years aligned with the ruling party, Shilowa resigned from his position as Premier of Gauteng and later that year was elected Deputy President of the Congress of the People (Cope).

These days Shilowa is retired from politics proper, but offers his thoughts on the country as a columnist for several publications.

His memories of being at the political coalface are not unhappy ones, he tells Clement Manyathela.

"I've got very fond memories of the ANC, the role it played, the opportunities I got through it and when I was in the unions."

- Mbhazima Shilowa, Former Gauteng Premier

Plagued as it has been by corruption and factional aggravations, how does Shilowa view his former party in its current state?

"There are people who still hold the dream from 1994... but there are also people in there who are just for themselves."

- Mbhazima Shilowa, Former Gauteng Premier

"You can never say 'I told you so', but the reality is, most of what we said about Jacob Zuma and the ANC has come to pass."

- Mbhazima Shilowa, Former Gauteng Premier

Shilowa would later be involved in a leadership dispute following the 2009 elections, a dispute that led to a court battle which saw him expelled from the party.

Cope performed poorly in the 2014 elections and was left with just three seats in the National Assembly, down from 30 seats in 2009.

"Cope's troubles started when some felt there should no contest, there should be no elections."

- Mbhazima Shilowa, Former Gauteng Premier

"With Cope it was really a missed opportunity."

- Mbhazima Shilowa, Former Gauteng Premier

Shilowa reveals that while he was Deputy President of the party, he was in talks to join forces with the Democratic Alliance (DA).

"You must ask Helen [Zille] one day. We were in discussions to merge those two parties together [Cope and the DA]."

- Mbhazima Shilowa, Former Gauteng Premier

Shilowa leads a quieter life these days, spending time writing, on public engagements and with his family.

So, does he miss politics?

"Not party politics... I don't miss the hustings."

- Mbhazima Shilowa, Former Gauteng Premier

"I call myself a man of leisure... We can go to Limpopo at a day's notice. We can go to the bush. We can go anywhere."

- Mbhazima Shilowa, Former Gauteng Premier

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.