President Ramaphosa congratulates newly elected Cosatu national officials

President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, Tuesday, 18 September 2018, congratulated the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) on its election of new national officials led by the federation’s first woman President, Ms Zingiswa Losi.
 
President Ramaphosa said: “Cosatu plays a critical role in the lives of South Africa’s workers and is a vital ally in our national effort to achieve inclusive growth in our economy and equality and cohesion in our society.
 
“The unopposed election of Cosatu’s new national officials is a welcome indicator of the unity of vision and purpose with which workers and their elected leaders are engaging in moving South Africa forward.”
 
President Ramaphosa extended his congratulation to Ms Losi who has been elected as the first female President of the federation.
 
Ms Losi previously served as Second Deputy President of Cosatu and is a member of the African National Congress National Executive Committee.
 
President Ramaphosa said: “Ms Losi’s election as President of Cosatu affirms women - and black women in particular- as political activists and social reformers, leaders in their own right and agents of their own liberation.
 
“Ms Losi is part of a growing corps of leadership in our country who are emulating the examples set by a succession of notable women who have led our society in various capacities. This election is an important step forward and a powerful symbol in the year in which we are celebrating the centenary of Mama Albertina Sisulu.
 
“I am confident that in this eminent role, Ms Losi will serve the interests of workers with the passion and dedication she has displayed throughout her career as an activist and political leader. In this role she is certain to make an important contribution to our national effort to grow the economy and create jobs.”
 
Ms Losi emerged through the ranks of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) where she began her service to workers as a shop steward. She served in various Numsa committees until she rose to the position of Cosatu Second Deputy-President.  
 

Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President, on 072 854 5707
 
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria