Mbalula assures unions with GNU, ANC has not completely lost power

JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) has moved to assure some unions that it has not completely lost grip of power as the party grapples with a new reality in the Government of National Unity (GNU).

The assurance comes after the ANC lost its majority status at the 29 May polls, pushing it to team up with opposition parties.

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Policy differences between the 10 parties in the GNU have sparked some concerns among unions affiliated with the ANC about the impact on workers' demands going forward.

Speaking at the National, Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (NEHAWU)’s National Political School in Boksburg on Monday, ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula told delegates that the party could still bounce back.

“We have not been politically obliterated - we have suffered a setback.”

Mbalula said the ANC still held command.

“When we talked to everybody, we did not go cap in hand. We were not bullied. We made strategic choices.”