View all
DENOSA congress adjourns, new leadership elected
The DENOSA 7th National Congress was adjourned on 1 November at Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg, and the next NEC meeting will decide on the date that the congress will reconvene to finish off its business. National office bearers to lead the organisation for the next four years were elected on the last day of the congress as per the schedule with IEC.
Cde Simon Hlungwani was elected President, with cde Letsatsi Modise coming in as First Deputy President. Cde Thandeka Msibi retained her position as Second Deputy President, and cde Cookie Nkambule was elected as National Treasurer.
In his acceptance speech, President Hlungwani said there is more work that the organisation needs to do to service its members. He said his clear message to delegates was that they go back to the structures and revive them. “It is very important to understand where we are coming from.” He also warned against failure to provide direction at the beginning of the year, as that would result in failure at the year-end.
He also warned against remaining in the celebratory mood for ever. “The question is: what is it that we are going to do for our members? Let’s remember what cde Gwede and Vavi said about us, that our uniqueness puts us in a favourable position to playing a role in healing divisions at COSATU,” he said.
Pledging his commitment to the organisation, cde Hlungwani said he would not be happy if DENOSA died in his hands.
“Let’s remember that what we should do should unite us all. Where I come from, I was raised in a particular way. All I can say is: I give you me.”
On first day of the congress, guest speakers, made up of secretariat from the Alliance as well as Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, embraced the event with their presence.
ANC Secretary General, Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Higher Education and General Secretary of the SACP, Dr Blade Nzimande, and General Secretary of COSATU, Zwelinzima Vavi, addressed the more than 600 delegates at the congress, where the message of servicing members in unison was conveyed.
Mantashe urged the congress to appreciate the Alliance and that DENOSA should play a critical role. He dispelled what he called speculations about the ANC planning to make COSATU its labour desk. Mantashe said that is not true, because ANC would easily set up a labour desk on its own. He urged the congress to focus on addressing factors that drive members from unions.
In his address, Dr Nzimande said the federation must remain strong if it is still serve the interests of the working class.
Zwelinzima Vavi said DENOSA should remain relevant to its members, and that his experience shows that DENOSA does serve its members. He especially urged DENOSA to maintain its balance of serving the interest its members as well as the community members.
Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, also addressed the congress, which became a platform of engagement with delegates as they highlighted areas that needed.
On day two, guest speakers included representatives from SANNAM, Chief Nursing Officer, Gender Commission, and Office of Health Standard Compliance.
