Twala, ChitjaKompi, Buti2016-06-232016-06-232012-06Twala, C., & Kompi, B. (2012). The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and the Tripartite Alliance: a marriage of (in)convenience?. Journal for Contemporary History, 37(1), 171-190.0285-2422 (print)2415-0509 (online)http://hdl.handle.net/11660/3187Since its formation in 1985, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) had played a significant role in the political landscape of South Africa. From the start, COSATU appeared to be in support of the then banned African National Congress (ANC) when it adopted the Freedom Charter. This article highlights the relationship which exists between COSATU and the ANC as part of the Tripartite Alliance. The persistent animosity between the members of these two organisations is discussed.enAfrican National CongressSouth African Communist PartyCongress of South African Trade UnionsAlliancesMass Democratic MovementIdeologyMass mobilizationDemocracyArticleFaculty of the Humanities, University of the Free State