“The ANC can learn from Cosatu. In the run-up to our September congress, the media was awash with unfounded predictions of fights and splits, and even blood on the floor,” general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said today at a Daily Maverick conference in Johannesburg.

“In the event the workers’ parliament emerged more united than ever, with a leadership returned unopposed.”

During his address Vavi mistakenly said the African National Congress’s conference had already happened.

“The one topic which is absolutely certain to come up is the ANC conference in Mangaung, now just three weeks ago.

“Three weeks away, I meant. I wish it [the conference] was gone,” he joked after the slip-up.

Vavi said critical issues like poverty, inequality, the state of education and health had not still not been rectified since the country became democratic in 1994.

“How I wish every song, every poem, every discussion in every political party and civil society formation would be about this unfolding tragedy.

“How I wish that the ANC delegates to its 53rd national conference in Mangaung would be preoccupied with answering the central question of today.”

He said most ANC members were merely preoccupied with singing about the party’s leadership in the lead-up to the conference.

“I appeal to the ANC delegates, government and business to stop listening to rating agencies, but rather listen to what the mine and farm workers and the people in the street are saying.”

He said the ANC needed to move away from being called the “Absolutely No Consequences” (party) to become the African National Congress again.