ANC national chair, Gwede Mantashe, came under fire from the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) congress delegates yesterday, who expressed anger at the ANC’s “Big Brother” attitude and accused it of undermining the union federation at a crucial meeting of its highest decision-making structure. Mantashe staged a walkout, refusing to address delegates ahead of the SACP. Mantashe maintained that the speaking order among alliance partners is dictated by tradition and seniority, rather than convenience.

GUEST: Professor Steven Friedman, Political Analyst from the University of Johannesburg