COSATU Media Monitor, Wednesday 2 December 2009

"The face of the mining industry is fast changing from single-sex to communal accommodation, and we appeal to companies to take a conscious view of these developments," NUM said.

It said empowering mining communities was central to reversing the HIV and Aids pandemic. – Sapa

1.2 SADTU: Teachers must be tested

The Witness, 2 December 2009

JOHANNESBURG — The SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) yesterday called on its members to get tested for HIV.

“We realise the importance of individuals taking responsibility for their lives and, therefore, urge our members to get tested, so that they know their status and take the necessary precautions,” the union said in a statement on World Aids Day.

As part of efforts to fight the disease, it is operating a project to help teachers, orphans and vulnerable children in 20 000 schools across the country.

1.3 Harmony halts ops at SAfrica mine after fatality

By Muchena Zigomo, Reuters, 1 December 2009

Harmony Gold Mining Co, the world's No. 5 producer of the metal, said output was suspended on Tuesday at its Merriespruit 3 shaft in South Africa after a mineworker was killed in an accident on Monday.

The fatality was the second at a Harmony operation in less than a week, after another worker was killed at the company's Elandsrand mine on Friday, temporarily stopping production.

Esha Brijmohan, a spokeswoman for South Africa's Harmony, said the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) -- South Africa's biggest union -- had declared a day of mourning at the mine on Tuesday, halting all production activities.

"It's a day of mourning so that will affect production," Brijmohan told Reuters.

"Our management team still needs to present to the Department of Minerals so if everything goes well we would expect production to resume by tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon, but that will depend on the presentation."

Production at Elandsrand resumed on Monday night, she said.

South Africa has the world's deepest mines and one of the highest rates of work-related mining deaths in the industrialised world. Last year 168 workers died in mines, down 24 percent from the previous year. So far this year more than 120 miners have died in South African mines.

2. South Africa

2.1 ANC: Health dept must probe illegal abortions

Mail&Guardian online, 2 December 2009

The African National Congress (ANC) in Gauteng on Tuesday called on the Health Department to probe the peddling of pills used for inducing labour to terminate pregnancy.

"The health department investigation should be promptly and effective as the street peddlers continue to do damage and take advantage of desperate and vulnerable people," the party said in a statement.

This after a report in the Sowetan on the availability of the drug Misoprostol on the streets of Soweto. The pill is used to induce labour to terminate pregnancy.

The party said it was "most worrying" that those peddling the drug in the streets allegedly work with employees at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.

"These street peddlers are dangers to society. Those under the employ of the hospital should face the full might of the law."

The Sowetan report said the pills were available from R200 to R750 depending on how far a women was into her pregnancy.

The drug can only be obtained from a pharmacy and according to the Medical Control Council, it was a criminal offence to be in possession of it, the report said.

The ANC warned women against using the drug.

"We equally do not understand why people rush to street peddlers because abortion is legal in South Africa," it said.

Health Department spokesperson Mandla Sidu could not immediately be reached for comment. -- Sapa

2.2 ANC gives Madiba a new role

Zukile Majova, Sowetan 2 December 2009

FORMER president Nelson Mandela is expected to become the first president of the ANC Veterans League when the party launches its house of the elders this month.

ANC insiders say the elders are expected to provide leadership to squabbling members of the tripartite alliance.

Political analyst Somadoda Fikeni said the veterans league had the potential to be the most important arm of the ANC.

“If one considers the squabbles and public spats between ministers who are also ANC leaders, the elders would play an important role,” Fikeni said.

He said veterans like Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Govan Mbeki played vital roles in contestations between former president Thabo Mbeki and the late SACP leader Chris Hani.

“In the past the ANC effectively utilised the elders during succession races to approach individuals whose rivalry was dividing the organisation and advised them to step aside,” said Fikeni.

Other ANC luminaries expected to hold senior positions in the structure include Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Albertina Sisulu and Ahmed Kathrada.

2.3 ANC welcomes Zuma's shift on HIV/AIDS

Jackson Mthembu, ANC Spokesperson, PoliticsWeb, 01 December 2009

The African National Congress (ANC) welcomes the progressive policy shift on HIV/AIDS as articulated today (1 December 2009) by President Jacob Zuma to mark World Aids Day (see speech). Not only does the policy change portray the ANC-led Government as caring but it demonstrates its commitment to effectively fight the pandemic.

We are happy to see concrete steps to be undertaken by the Government, which come into effect on April 2010. We particularly welcome the fact that:

All children under one year of age will get treatment if they test positive, not determined by the level of CD cells. This will contribute significantly towards the reduction of infant mortality over time.
All patients with both TB and HIV will get treatment with anti-retrovirals if their CD4 count is 350 or less.
TB and HIV/Aids will now be treated under one roof.
All pregnant HIV positive women with a CD4 count of 350 or with symptoms regardless of CD4 count will have access to treatment. We believe that this will go a long way to decrease the deaths of pregnant women who are HIV positive and protect unborn babies.
All other pregnant women not falling into this category, but who are HIV positive, will be put on treatment at fourteen weeks of pregnancy to protect the baby.

In saying we should "overcome HIV the same way that it spreads - one individual at a time" and calling on people to "really show that all of us are responsible," President Zuma today made a strong call to all South Africans to go and test. He has further demonstrated how he has led the HIV/AIDS campaign from the front by announcing making arrangements to take a test, having taken one before and knowing his status.

We fully endorse this stance and call on other leaders to follow his example. The President's call to depoliticise the pandemic, should also be applauded.

As the frightening statistics of 1000 new infections being reported daily in South Africa, we call on all ANC structures, Alliance partners, business and organs of civil society to engage vigorously in our campaign aimed at ensuring that people know their status. It is only through encouraging people to test and knowing their status that we can achieve the target of cutting down new infections by 50 percent. It is also when we go out to test in our multitudes that we can achieve the 80 percent target we have set ourselves for people to get access to ARVs and get best regime for treatment.

The ANC thanks many South Africans for heeding the call by Government to voluntarily undertake HIV/AIDS test. We cannot over-emphasise the crucial importance of anyone knowing his or her status, undergoing counselling, taking medication and eating well.

In dealing with HIV/AIDS, we are encouraged to see the good and positive working relationship that has developed between Government, organs of civil society and business to intensify awareness campaigns aimed at educating millions of our people about this scourge. Equally we would like to express appreciation on countries sharing learnings and research on HIV/AIDS.

We acknowledge and appreciate the good gesture by the United States Government to donate $120 million to South Africa, which will go towards the disbursement of drugs over two years. This contribution will make a huge difference to many who are in dire need of the much-needed drugs. In the interest of globally stamping out this pandemic, we call on the developed world to follow the good example set by the US by financially supporting HIV/AIDS programmes in developing countries.

As we celebrate World Aids Day, we also want to remind all South Africans about observing 16 Days of Activism against women and children. It is only through strengthening programmes directed at gender-based violence and improving the position of women in society, that we can take the country forward.

2.4 ANC chief addresses mourners

By Starsky Mkhonta, Swazi Observer, 1 December 2009

THERE was silence when African National Congress General Secretary Gwede Mantashe’s speech clashed with that of a family representative at the funeral on Sunday.

This was at Mbukwane near Nhlangano during the funeral of the Congress of South Africa Trade Unions (COSATU) co-founder Chris Ndodebandla Dlamini (65). Dlamini died 10 days ago in South Africa where he was based.

Dlamini’s funeral attracted scores of people, especially from South Africa, mostly those that were with him in the fight against apartheid.
The first COSATU General Secretary, Jay Naidoo, as well as the current COSATU General Secretary, Zwelibanzi Vavi, attended even though they arrived two hours after the burial.

There were also leaders of banned parties such as People’s United Democratic Movement as well as leadership of the workers unions such as the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU) as well as the Swaziland Federation of Labour (SFL) to name but a few.
Gathering

ANC General Secretary Mantashe preferred to differ from the family representative, Sipho Ndoda Dlamini, who had told the gathering that his brother (Chris) died not because of a human factor but died a normal death. He said he would not want to believe there was a hand in his brother’s death as it could be what others might perceive. Ndoda is brother to former Health Minister Dr. Phetsile Dlamini and both are related to the COSATU co-founder.

Ndoda was roped in to speak on behalf of the family at the tent before the procession to the graveyard.

“He got sick and succumbed to death after every effort to save his life by medical practitioners in SA also failed. We have no one to blame for his death. As a family, we have accepted this as what God wanted, we would still be with him but since God had decided to take him, we have no qualms,” said Ndoda.

It was when Mantashe started delving on how this Kingdom wanted to be governed, that he provoked murmurs from the mourners.

“We are not going to allow anyone suggesting how we Swazis have to be governed. We are happy with the way we are and we expect no stranger to impose on how we should have things done. We are more than satisfied with the current arrangement of leadership we have in this country. No one is going to allow a situation where someone can talk anyhow about the leadership we are so much proud of,” said Ndoda. “We are a humble nation. We respect the institution of the Monarch and we are not going to allow anyone talking badly about it or even dragging its name in the mud. It’s our unique way we believe in and we are not going to be pushovers. It’s the last thing we can tolerate to allow anyone making a mockery of our best way we are led as a country. Anyone with the wrong perception that he can do as he pleases with our way of leadership as a country, needs to be in his senses as we are not going to allow that,” said the brave Ndoda, who did not mind the grumbling from those not pleased with whatever he was saying as he was speaking his mind.

2.5 Cosatu declares 'war' on plotters

Xolani Mbanjwa, IOL, 1 December 2009

Labour federation Cosatu has declared "war" on unnamed comrades within the tripartite alliance who it claims are gunning for ANC leadership positions - including that of President Jacob Zuma.

It warned the ruling party that it could face another "bitter" succession battle in 2012.

The federation warned that the faction might be targeting Zuma to force "regime change" within the ANC.

Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi yesterday said that the ANC could face yet another fierce leadership battle waged by "conservatives", similar to the battle which culminated in the ousting of former ANC leader Thabo Mbeki by Zuma at the ANC's 2007 Polokwane conference.

The ANC has already told its alliance partners, Cosatu and the SACP, not to enter into a "premature" succession debate.

Cosatu yesterday warned that if the faction became so powerful that it threatened to reverse the "gains made in Polokwane", it would not keep quiet.

Vavi vehemently rejected attempts by what he called a "conservative" tendency within the alliance that he said was opposed to communists and the union federation.

These concerns were communicated to the alliance at its recent summit in a lengthy Cosatu report released yesterday.

"We have witnessed some levels of mobilisation by a small minority of conservatism, anti-communist and anti-union within the movement who seem to be wanting to agitate for regime change," Vavi said.

He said the group had targeted ANC Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe through a smear campaign in the media, involving false allegations that he had fathered a child with a woman who had once worked at Luthuli House.

Vavi said the group was now focusing on ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe.

Cosatu said the faction was not happy that Zuma had allowed the SACP and Cosatu to dominate the tripartite alliance.

"These forces are also seemingly frustrated with the president, (whom) they accuse of allowing too much ground to the communists and Cosatu. If this agenda persists, the ANC may have a bitter battle for leadership yet again in 2012," said the Cosatu report.

Cosatu urged the ANC to address the succession debate internally, to avoid conflict that would divide the alliance.

Meanwhile, Cosatu threatened to embark on nationwide protests if Eskom's proposed 45 percent electricity increase over the next three years was approved.

Vavi said the proposed increase would "spell absolute disaster for all sectors of the economy, including the mining and the rest of the manufacturing sector".

3. International

3.1 Some tips for facilitator Mac Maharaj

By Takarinda Gomo, Zimbabwe Times, 2 December 2009

BORN on April 12, 1935 at Newcastle in KwaZulu Natal, Mac Maharaj is a South African of Indian descent. For 12 years he was a political prisoner in the company of Nelson Mandela. Maharaj is one of the icons of the struggle.

Maharaj was a member of the armed wing of the African National Council (ANC), uMkhonto weSizwe, since its formation. He underwent military training in the then German Democratic Republic (aka East Germany). He rose through the ranks to become Commander of Operation Vula, a highly secret mobilization campaign outfit answerable to the then ANC President, the late Oliver Tambo.

On May 11, 1994 Maharaj was appointed the first Minister of Transport in the democratic South Africa.

Maharaj is not a stranger to political negotiations. He was Joint Secretary in the Transitional Executive Council that ensured the run-up to the 1994 elections in South Africa was fair to all parties. He was a member of the ANC negotiating team where he served as Joint Negotiating Secretary in the Transitional Executive Council to the multi-party talks at Kempton Park, which brokered the agreements that took South Africa to the first democratic elections in 1994.

Even with all these glowing epithets, Maharaj and his team will find the elusive Zimbabwe problem an uphill struggle. The South African situation, from the time Nelson Mandela was released in February 1990, was ripe for a solution. Both sides of the political divide were desperate for any solution. The Zimbabwean situation in 2009 is not so ripe, because Zanu-PF is negotiating in bad faith, insisting that there are no more outstanding issues in the Global Political Agreement (GPA) except the issue of sanctions. Here is a case of a political party negotiating either to maintain the status quo or seeking downright failure of the talks.

This is the scenario Maharaj and his facilitating team will find in Zimbabwe today. He will also find Zanu-PF subterfuge and intransigence in abundance. Like many Zimbabweans, the facilitating team will be annoyed by the fact that the six negotiators are sworn to silence. They are enjoying the power of keeping the nation in a high state of suspense. The first thing Maharaj should do is to ensure that there are daily briefings to the media about progress of the talks or lack thereof. The fate of 12 million people can not be determined by six politicians, some of them unelected. That conspiracy of silence and media blackout is an insult to the conscience of the people of Zimbabwe.

According to The Zimbabwe Standard (29 November 2009), the issue of Gideon Gono and Johannes Tomana is believed to be set aside, to be negotiated last. Like any sunset clause, the matter will be rushed to beat the deadline. Maharaj should be firm with the six negotiators. The issue of Gono and Tomana should be negotiated, completed and agreed. If Zanu-PF does not want the issue negotiated, then declare a deadlock and Zimbabwe goes to the polls in March 2010, supervised by the African Union and the United Nations. Period!

People are nervous that Maharaj may repeat the mistake made by Thabo Mbeki, who was not willing to comprehend the interests, hopes and fears of the MDC. Maharaj knows that procedural even-handedness and fair play are crucial because they signal a readiness to listen, to learn and protect the parties’ soft parts.

Each dispute contains its own ebbs and flaws, so Maharaj and his team should develop their own rhythm different from the Mbeki facilitation. To find an early solution to the Zimbabwean dispute, he may wish to shake both Zanu-PF and the MDC formations, by giving them something to mull over. In a polarized situation such as Zimbabwe is in, a highly charged argument such as that of Gono and Tomana may break out the conditionalities for accepting or rejecting new ideas.

Maharaj’s unenviable task is to put a leash on three dogs of war and become an agent of purposeful change. He has the full weight of South African influence and affluence behind him and the 2010 World Cup is beckoning and ticking away. Maharaj cannot afford to fail. South Africa cannot and should not allow a situation whereby it hosts the World Premier Soccer showcase with inhabitants from its northern neighbour tearing each other apart and refugees flooding in.

It is an open secret that South Africa in general and President Jacob Zuma in particular has leverage over Zimbabwe and President Mugabe. The time has come for South Africa to flex its muscle to put the nonsense of Zimbabwe behind us, for the good of, not only Southern Africa, but Zimbabwe and South Africa as well.

For the MDC formations, making peace with a violent adversary is an act of faith, but increasing or removing the pain that Zanu-PF inflicted on Zimbabweans does not address the fear-confidence equation. In fact, the two may not intersect. For Maharaj the delicate art of managing negotiations is now firmly in his hands.

Perhaps when he was a boy, Maharaj used to go fishing in the rivers of KwaZulu Natal before he joined the armed struggle. He might remember the analogy of angling.

Just as the angler is fishing from the time he baits the hook; to his choice of the best means to present the lure; the strike that sets the hook in the fish; his technique of playing the fish on the line and finally bringing the fish into the net.

The game of facilitator in the Zimbabwean dispute is akin to playing the fish from the moment the hook is set in, to the joyous instant when the fish is netted. The angler keeps a taut line, never permitting a slack. If the fish wants to dive or jump, let it do so. The fish may be lost by trying to thwart it. It cannot be netted until it exhausts itself. Impatient anglers lose fish by trying to muscle them before they are ready to be netted.

The only problem with this fishing analogy is that Maharaj has to get three fish into the net by ironing out all the outstanding issues of the GPA before President Zuma comes to triumphantly announce successful mediation of his advance team. The odds of three fish striking at the same time are low but not impossible. It has happened during a feeding frenzy. This is the ideal moment for Zimbabwe whose people are suffering a crisis of expectation, but also in a frenzy to get the politics right and get on with life.

Once Maharaj gets the three fish hooked, they can offset each other, inadvertently helping him and his team to bring them into the net.

Much as there is no foolproof manual to guarantee not losing one or two, or even all three fish, the analogy remains apt.

Finally, a bit of humour will certainly help the facilitators to ease the tension and establish common ground to trigger off a reaction. Sometimes it is useful to know some things that make people laugh. And Zimbabweans are renowned for their infectious sense of humour.

Mluleki Mntungwa (Communications Officer)

COSATU ICT Unit

1-5 Leyds Cnr Biccard Street

Braamfontein

2007

P.O.Box 1019

Johannesburg

2000

South Africa

Tel: +27 11 339-4911/24

Fax: +27 11 339-5080/6940

E-Mail: mlu...@cosatu.org.za

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