"The ANC is celebrating 100 years of struggle and all three alliance partners are holding their national congresses or conferences," Vavi told delegates in a speech prepared for delivery at Cosatu's provincial congress.

"Let us use our provincial and national congresses to forge policies and programmes of action which will arm us for the battles ahead."

He said 2012 was a historic year which had brought opportunities to make a decisive breakthrough in the struggle for total liberation.

Cosatu would hold its national congress in September with a number of impressive victories under its belt, said Vavi.

These were through efforts the union made to ensure the government and the ruling party recognised the country was facing a national crisis.

"We have signed four accords on Basic Education, National Skills, Local Procurement and Green Economy," said Vavi.

He said the union had adopted a programme of action this past week to address the crisis of the country's dysfunctional education system.