Almost 30 years later COSATU faces an uncertain future after firing its General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi. But a defiant Vavi has vowed to mobilise the rank and file members for what he calls "reclaiming COSATU". His dismissal is expected to usher in a realignment of labour - that until now COSATU has dominated. The expulsion of NUMSA - booted out more than three hundred thousand workers and the union is pushing ahead recruiting beyond metal workers. It is not yet clear what will be the next move of the seven unions that suspended their participation in COSATU in protest against Numsa's expulsion. On the Forum at eight this morning we discuss the challenges facing COSATU and ask: What impact, if any, will the latest spat within Cosatu have on the Tripartite alliance?

Before we get into the discussion, our deputy political editor Mahlatse Gallens looks back at implosion of the federation that once commanded support from more than two million workers....