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The Congress of South African Trade Unions congratulates President Jacob Zuma on being awarded the title of Best African President, at a ceremony last night. The award is an honour he richly deserves, for his part in the battle for freedom in South Africa and throughout the continent.

The federation welcomes the commitment the President made at the event, that "if we deviate or if we falter, we expect all of you - ordinary citizens, civil society, academics and the media - to sound the warning bells. Good leaders heed these warnings and respond constructively. They do not consider themselves to be above their people".

We agree totally with him that "a true leader is guided by the needs and the collective wisdom of his or her people and that these awards should therefore not be about status or prestige. They should be about service and sacrifice."

That is the spirit that workers and the poor find so refreshing. Comrade Zuma is a leader who consults rather than dictates. COSATU will not hesitate to take up his offer to sound warning bells if it is necessary, but will also not hesitate to praise him when his government is doing the right things.

The federation urges every other South African political leader to follow their President's example and return to the ANC's principles of listening to the people and putting service to society above their own self-interest.

COSATU also congratulates the other award winners - the late Afro-Pop legend Miriam Makeba who was awarded with the Great Daughter of Africa award for her artistic role in addressing the challenges faced by African during the colonial era, and the late First Lady of Nigeria, Stella Obasanjo, who was awarded Best African First Lady of the Year.