THE POLITICAL-ROLE OF UNIONS IN SOUTH-AFRICA

The trade union movement which developed in South Africa after 1979 may be characterized as a social and political trade union movement. Anti-racist and democratic principles formed the basis of this new union movement which was aimed not only at socioeconomic gains but also on putting pressure on the regime for political change. The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) is clearly the most important union federation in this respect, but is also dominant when it comes to membership and organisational and professional skills. 1990 marked a turning point for apartheid. Cosatu will still play an important role in the period of transition as well as in the future. Unions are, however, themselves challenged by the new political and economic climate and new questions are raised as to union priorities and strategies. New demands as to efficiency, stability and national responsibility as well as an increasing centralization of the union movement pose new challenges to the grass-root democratic structures of the unions.