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Phumzile gets cold shoulder
19/09/2006 11:19 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Cosatu's national congress got off to a slow start on Tuesday, with officials battling to get chanting unionists to take their seats following the late arrival of deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.
A Cosatu official told the thousands of delegates slowly trickling into the conference hall at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, north of Johannesburg, that the deputy president had arrived and urged them to take their seats. Most ignored him.
Cosatu general-secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said the congress was still waiting for the deputy president.
"But our patience is running out now. Can you welcome her with one song?" he asked delegates.
"The deputy president must tell us, what did Zuma do?" sang delegates, refusing to sit down.
Cosatu president Willie Madisha asked delegates to welcome Mlambo-Ngcuka properly with a song, but delegates stood up and again sang in support of Zuma, asking why Mlambo-Ngcuka had taken his job as deputy president.
On Monday, Madisha told cheering delegates that the ANC-led alliance must treat all partners with respect, and stop being led by the cabinet.
- SAPA
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