REFILWE MEKOA
All trade unions have the potential of being political parties.
This is according to Mandlenkosi Mthombeni, a political analyst from the University of the Free State. He said the National Union of Metalworkers in South Africa’s plan to form a political party will affect the alliance between Cosatu, the ANC and the South African Communist Party.
“If the ANC and many other parties fail their communities and voters, Numsa has the ability of changing or converting into a political party. The move will have direct impact on the ANC and its membership,” he said.
Mthombeni added that it will be the best move for the country to enhance competition between various political parties.
“Numsa will not only recruit mine workers, it will also recruit other workers from different industries in the country. The reason for the move is caused by internal conflicts of different leaderships within the alliance, which at times are hard to be resolved,” said Mthombeni.
