Zingiswa Losi is one of South Africa’s most prominent and trailblazing public figures. As the first woman ever elected to lead the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), the country’s largest and most powerful trade union federation, she has cemented her place as a historic figure in South African labour history.
From her humble beginnings in the townships of the Eastern Cape to the corridors of international labour diplomacy, Losi’s story is one of resilience, activism, and extraordinary leadership.
Her rise to national and global prominence is rooted in decades of grassroots labour activism, political engagement, and a deeply personal commitment to workers’ rights.
She is widely respected as a fearless voice for the working class, and her influence stretches from the shop floors of Port Elizabeth to the chambers of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva.
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Zingiswa Phyllis Losi: History · Bio · Photo
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| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Full Name: | Zingiswa Phyllis Losi |
| Born: | 2 October 1975 |
| Age: | 50 years old |
| Birthplace: | KwaZakhele, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Occupation: | Trade Unionist, Politician |
| Parents: | Graham Mzwandile Losi (Father), Vuyiswa Esther Losi (Mother, deceased) |
| Siblings: | 8 siblings, including twin sister Zamela |
| Children: | Two daughters: Chumani and Chulumanco |
| Net Worth: | Estimated $1 Million – $5 Million (USD) |
Early Life
Zingiswa Phyllis Losi was born on 2 October 1975 in KwaZakhele, a township in the former Cape Province of South Africa. When she was just one year old, her family relocated to nearby New Brighton, outside Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha) in the Eastern Cape.
She was one of nine children raised by her father, Graham Mzwandile Losi, who worked as a general assistant at Santa Hospital before later becoming a debt collector at a furniture shop, and her late mother, Vuyiswa Esther Losi, who worked as a domestic worker and later as a general assistant at eMpilweni Hospital until her retirement.
Growing up in New Brighton was not easy. The family frequently struggled to make ends meet. Losi has spoken openly about times when she and her siblings would walk to their grandfather’s house after school to eat slices of bread with pilchards and drink tea when food at home was scarce. Despite the hardship, her family’s strong political identity shaped her worldview from a very young age.
The Losi household was deeply rooted in anti-apartheid activism. Two of her older siblings, her brother Xolani and her sister Ncamile Nonceba, went into exile as part of the liberation struggle, Xolani in 1985 and Ncamile in 1986. This had a profound impact on the young Zingiswa. She has recalled becoming politically conscious at the age of 10, inspired by her family’s activism and the stories of teargas-filled funerals her parents attended. This early political awakening led her to join the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) as a teenager, where she began to develop her identity as an activist and organiser.
Losi has a twin sister named Zamela, and the two share a close bond. She has described her upbringing as formative in shaping her deep empathy for ordinary working-class people, an empathy that would go on to define her entire career.
Education
Zingiswa Losi received her early education at Phendla Lower Primary School in New Brighton, which was within walking distance from her childhood home. She then moved on to Phillip Nikiwe High School before completing her matric at Ithembelihle Senior Secondary School.
After completing her matric, she enrolled at the University of South Africa (UNISA) in 1995 to pursue a degree in Economics. However, she was forced to drop out the same year because she was unable to produce her matric certificate on time to meet administrative requirements. Undeterred, she returned home and enrolled at Algoa College of Education, where she began studying to become a teacher, a profession that had not originally been her dream. Losi had always aspired to become a lawyer.
While pursuing her teaching studies at Algoa College of Education, she applied for a position in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and was accepted. Her formal academic career was therefore cut short, but she continued to grow intellectually through her years of labour movement training, political education, and union committee work.
Career
Military Service (1996–1999)
In 1996, Losi left her studies at Algoa College of Education to join the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) as a technical assistant to aviation artisans. During her service, she was stationed at various posts including the South African Air Force (SAAF) base in Bloemfontein. She served for three years, gaining firsthand experience of the challenges faced by lower-ranking soldiers, including poor working conditions and the absence of union representation for military personnel. In 1999, she left the military.
Ford Motor Company and Trade Union Beginnings (2000–2014)
Following her departure from the military in 1999, Losi relocated to Port Elizabeth. For about a year, she worked as a casual worker in JET clothing stores while remaining active in the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League in the Nelson Mandela Bay region. In 2001, she secured employment at the Ford Motor Company in Port Elizabeth, where she would work for the next thirteen years.
At Ford, she initially worked as an operator in the engine components and assembly division, and later advanced to the role of quality inspector. In 2002, she was elected as a shop steward for the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), a powerful affiliate of COSATU. This marked the true beginning of her trade union career. She became deeply involved in various NUMSA committees, including finance and education, in the Eastern Cape region, building a reputation as a capable and principled labour leader.
COSATU Deputy President (2009–2018)
In September 2009, at COSATU’s 10th National Congress, Losi was elected as the Second Deputy President of the federation, a remarkable achievement for a woman in what was a deeply male-dominated organisation. She defeated Boitumelo Louise Thipe of the South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers’ Union (SACCAWU) to secure the post.
Her tenure as Second Deputy President was eventful and at times turbulent. In September 2011, she was arrested in Siteki, Swaziland, while attempting to address a pro-democracy rally organised by the Swaziland Democracy Campaign. Swazi police fired stun grenades and tear gas into the crowd before arresting Losi and a COSATU colleague. The two were questioned and subsequently deported back to South Africa. The incident drew international attention to her courage and commitment to workers’ rights beyond South Africa’s borders.
Internally, her time as deputy president coincided with a major factional split within COSATU, centred on the rivalry between COSATU President S’dumo Dlamini, a known supporter of then-President Jacob Zuma, and COSATU Secretary-General Zwelinzima Vavi, who was aligned with NUMSA. Losi’s perceived closeness with Dlamini led to her suspension from NUMSA in September 2013, pending a disciplinary hearing. In March 2014, she resigned from Ford and NUMSA and joined the South African Police Service (SAPS), simultaneously becoming a shop steward for the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU), another COSATU affiliate. This move allowed her to retain her position in COSATU’s leadership structures. Several NUMSA-aligned affiliates later tried to have her removed from her position as Deputy President, but COSATU’s Central Executive Committee voted to retain her.
COSATU President (2018–Present)
On 20 September 2018, at COSATU’s 13th National Congress held in Midrand, Zingiswa Losi was elected unopposed as President of COSATU, making history as the first woman to ever hold the federation’s highest office. Her election was backed by a formidable coalition of affiliates, including the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU). When her name was announced, the congress hall erupted with women ululating and singing “Wathint’ Abafazi, Wathint’ Imbokodo”, “You strike a woman, you strike a rock”, as she was hoisted aloft and led to the stage.
She was re-elected unopposed for a second term as COSATU president in 2022, underscoring the depth of support she commands within the labour movement. Under her leadership, COSATU, which represents over 1.6 million workers, has continued to advocate for workers’ rights, better wages, gender equality in the workplace, and socioeconomic transformation in South Africa.
Beyond the national stage, Losi has carved out a significant international profile. She serves as President of the Southern African Trade Union Coordinating Council (SATUCC), representing trade unions across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. She is also a member of the International Trade Union Confederation’s (ITUC) General Council and ITUC-Africa. In June 2024, she was elected to the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization (ILO) for the 2024–2027 term, further cementing her status as a globally respected labour leader.
She is also a member of the Central Committee of the South African Communist Party (SACP) and previously served as a member of the African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) from 2017 to 2022.
White House Moment (2025)
In May 2025, Losi accompanied South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to a high-level diplomatic meeting at the White House with US President Donald Trump. During the meeting, Trump repeated unverified claims about the alleged systematic targeting of white farmers in South Africa. Losi responded directly and composedly, telling Trump that crime in South Africa is a universal problem and not a racially targeted one. Her powerful and measured response was widely praised by South Africans and drew global attention, making her one of the most talked-about figures from the visit.
Awards and Recognition
While Zingiswa Losi has not received widely publicised formal awards in the traditional sense, her achievements and contributions have been recognised in numerous important ways. Key highlights of her recognition include:
- First woman elected President of COSATU (2018), a historic milestone in South African labour history.
- Re-elected COSATU President unopposed in 2022, a testament to her enduring leadership credibility.
- Elected President of the Southern African Trade Union Coordinating Council (SATUCC) and re-elected in October 2022.
- Elected to the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization (ILO) for the 2024–2027 term in June 2024.
- Member of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) General Council and ITUC-Africa.
- Celebrated nationally and internationally for her courageous speech at the White House in May 2025, confronting misinformation about South Africa before the US President.
Social Media
Zingiswa Losi maintains an active social media presence, primarily on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, where she regularly shares updates on COSATU’s activities, workers’ rights issues, and her positions on national and international affairs. Her social media platforms serve as important channels for communicating directly with the South African public and the broader labour movement.
- X (Twitter): @ZingiswaLosi, She uses the platform to comment on political and labour issues and to share COSATU press statements and speeches.
- Facebook: She maintains an official presence where supporters and workers can follow her advocacy activities.
Her social media following experienced a notable surge following her high-profile appearance at the White House in May 2025, with many South Africans seeking to learn more about her and follow her work.
Personal Life
Zingiswa Losi is a deeply private individual when it comes to her personal relationships. Details about her marital status and romantic life remain largely undisclosed. She has never publicly confirmed being married, and information about a husband or partner is not publicly available. However, she is a proud mother of two daughters, Chumani and Chulumanco, who have been an important source of motivation throughout her career.
Losi has spoken about the challenges of balancing her demanding public role with her responsibilities as a mother. She has described family time as a vital counterbalance to the pressures of leading one of South Africa’s most powerful organisations.
She is known for her deep, commanding voice and warm smile, two qualities that have become something of a trademark in her public persona. Outside of her professional duties, she has a passion for drawing, though she has acknowledged that her responsibilities at COSATU have left her little time to pursue this hobby.
In 2023, it was reported by City Press that Losi had spoken about finding love and answering her ancestral calling, suggesting that she has been exploring her spiritual identity alongside her political one. She has also spoken publicly about her journey into traditional African spiritual practices, adding a deeply personal dimension to her public identity.
Losi has never shied away from controversial positions. Her closeness with the Zuma-aligned faction of COSATU in the 2010s drew fierce criticism from within the labour movement. Her decision to join POPCRU, a union for police and prison officials, despite never having been a police officer or prison official, sparked accusations from critics who argued she was holding her COSATU position unconstitutionally. However, COSATU’s Central Executive Committee backed her position each time, and she emerged from those controversies with her career intact and her leadership consolidated.
Net Worth
Zingiswa Losi’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, and no verified financial statements are available. However, based on her long tenure as one of South Africa’s most senior trade union leaders, her salary as COSATU President, and her various international roles, her estimated net worth is believed to fall in the range of approximately $1 million to $5 million USD (roughly R18 million to R90 million ZAR). Her primary sources of income include her salary as COSATU President, her remuneration from international labour bodies such as SATUCC and the ILO, and any related speaking or advisory engagements.
Prior to her full-time career in the trade union movement, she also earned income through her employment at the South African National Defence Force, Ford Motor Company, and the South African Police Service. It is worth noting that as a trade union leader, Losi has consistently been a vocal critic of wage inequality and has championed fair pay for workers across all sectors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Zingiswa Losi?
Zingiswa Losi is a South African politician and trade unionist best known for being the first woman elected as President of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in September 2018.
When was Zingiswa Losi born?
She was born on 2 October 1975 in KwaZakhele, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
How old is Zingiswa Losi?
As of 2026, Zingiswa Losi is 50 years old.
Does Zingiswa Losi have children?
Yes. She has two daughters named Chumani and Chulumanco.
Is Zingiswa Losi married?
Her marital status is not publicly confirmed. She has never officially disclosed information about a husband or partner.
What is Zingiswa Losi known for?
She is best known for being the first female president of COSATU, her decades of trade union activism, her international labour leadership roles, and her courageous response to US President Donald Trump at the White House in May 2025.
What is Zingiswa Losi’s net worth?
Her net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million USD, though no official figure has been confirmed.
Does Zingiswa Losi have a twin?
Yes. She has a twin sister named Zamela.
What political party does Zingiswa Losi belong to?
She is a member of the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP).
Conclusion
Zingiswa Losi’s biography is a testament to the power of conviction, grassroots activism, and relentless determination. From a childhood marked by poverty and political upheaval in the townships of the Eastern Cape, she rose to become one of the most powerful voices in South African labour and political life. Her election as COSATU’s first female president in 2018 was not just a personal milestone, it was a watershed moment for gender representation in the South African labour movement.
Her influence has grown steadily over the decades, extending from the factory floors of Port Elizabeth to the international chambers of the ILO, and most recently to the global spotlight she earned when she stood beside President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House and calmly but firmly challenged misinformation about her country. Zingiswa Losi continues to be a formidable force in South African public life, and her story remains an inspiration to millions of workers and women across the African continent and beyond.
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