Members of Cosatu and it's affiliate unions competed in song on Friday about the ANC succession battle during the federation's 11th Gauteng congress.

The congress in Johannesburg was divided between members holding up two fingers -- indicating their support for a second term for President Jacob Zuma -- and those who rolled their hands in a motion associated with calling for the substitution of a soccer player.

They were calling for Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe to replace Zuma as ANC president at the party's elective conference in Mangaung at the end of the year.

Congress of SA Trade Unions Gauteng chairman Phutas Tseki eventually called the congress to order.

"There are people who have symbols like this and that," he said mimicking the members' gestures.

"We [at Cosatu] have only one sign. It like this," he said, before raising his fist in the air.

Phutas said the trade federation needed to avoid making the congress "like Mangaung".

"We do not have names [for the ANC's elective conference]. Comrade Motlanthe is our deputy president. Comrade Zuma is the president of South Africa and the ANC," he said as several delegates "booed" in disapproval.

"Whether Motlanthe or Zuma will stand -- we don't know. We are asked to respect the democratic process of the ANC."

The conference accepted nominations for the Gauteng leadership positions on Thursday, but the top positions were all unchallenged.

Tseki retained his position as chairman. Macy Sekaledi was the only nomination for deputy chair. Dumisani Dakile retained his position as secretary, and Pulane Mokgotsi was the only nomination for treasurer.