COSATU expects Ramaphosa to be humble in admitting to ANC electoral defeat

CAPE TOWN - The African National Congress (ANC)’s alliance partner, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), says it expects President Cyril Ramaphosa to be humble in admitting to an electoral defeat that reflects the feelings of disillusioned voters.  

Spokesperson Matthew Parks said the working class do not want to hear from arrogant politicians who are oblivious to what the masses expect from their leaders.  

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Given the high unemployment rate, the union wants to know how the ANC is going to build on its path of renewal.  

“Most importantly for us is to report back what has been achieved in the past year. We have seen progress on Eskom, Metrorail. We have begun to see some improvement in the economy at South African Revenue Service. 

“But more about how they are going to accelerate that, especially to do with the unemployment issue at 41%, youth unemployment at 70%. We have local elections in a year’s time. How are we going to fix local government? It is a mess in many towns, even here in Khayelitsha, the municipal services are not great. You see sewage in the street, rubbish in the street.”  

Parks said he does not think the president will have to tailor his speech to appease his coalition partners in the Government of National Unity (GNU).  

“Society, irrespective of who we vote for, most will want the same thing. They want to see a state that is working, an economy that delivers public services to society, an economy which is growing, where unemployment is falling. 

“I don’t think people are unrealistic. They don’t expect miracles overnight, but they do expect to see tangible progress. They do expect to see people that steal from society go to prison.”