COSATU Today 11 February 2010

COSATU has totally rejected the outrageous allegations made by Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, of the University of Johannesburg, that the federation is “beset with internal organisational weaknesses and tensions, even while it exercised a powerful influence on the ruling African National Congress and the tripartite alliance”.

His article in the 2009 Transformation Audit - an annual publication of the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation - claims that:

§ Cosatu’s future was being contested by forces that prioritised political influence and those that wanted to concentrate on building organisational power,

§ Cosatu trade unions had neglected their membership and internal structures as they centralised and focused on political matters.

§ Powerful and privileged union leaders had become alienated from the rank and file.

§ Education and training of new members had collapsed and a ‘narrow economism’ had taken over from solidarity and collective action as the dominant ethic.

§ Membership figures of Cosatu affiliates had either stagnated or declined since the start of the decade with the huge job losses of the recession worsening the trend.

§ Members did not participate in union activities as much as in the past.

COSATU has always been a democratic, transparent and worker-controlled organisation, always willing to accept and debate constructively critical views. We can always do better and are constantly reviewing all aspects of our work.

Buhlungu, however, contributes absolutely nothing to such a debate. He fails to produce a shred of evidence for any of his outrageous claims of “internal organisational weaknesses and tensions”, which he could easily have tested if he had just taken the trouble to leave his ivory tower and visit workplaces and union meetings and talk to the members.

That would have proved him completely wrong. He would not have found any contesting forces within the union, and no alienated rank and file, for the simple reason that they do not exist. He would have found no decline in union participation, because our members remain extremely involved in meetings at all levels.

His criticisms are groundless and based on complete ignorance of how COSATU and its affiliates operate. He appears to have arrived at his conclusions solely from media reports, which invariably paint a distorted picture.

The media always headline controversial political statements by union leaders, but they never report on the hard, daily work the unions do, representing their members in negotiations with employers at the workplace on bargaining councils, defending unfair dismissal cases at the CCMA and labour court, arguing in the sectoral chambers of Nedlac, and much, much more.

So Buhlungu concludes that since he does not read about these things in the papers they cannot be happening, and therefore the union leaders must have abandoned their membership and spend all their time making political speeches.

He makes the absurd claim that “since the beginning of the democratic transition unions have been losing organisational power as hundreds of leaders have left for politics and business, thousands of shop-floor activists and leaders have been promoted out of the union.”

If he had taken the trouble to talk to trade union members he would know that those who have left - and they are nowhere near the numbers he is suggesting - have been replaced by hundreds more workers who have kept up their good work.

The fundamental error Buhlungu makes is to counterpose COSATU’s political and organisational roles. They are not in conflict, but complement each other. We have always reject the notion of ‘gum-boot’ trade unionism which believes that all the workers’ problems can be resolved at the level of the workplace, or in negotiations with individual employers.

A trade union formed within the confines of an apartheid system, which used laws to enslave workers, had no choice but to be both organisationally strong at the workplace, and at the same time political, and indeed revolutionary.

This point was made by none other than Nelson Mandela, who told the masses at his first rally in Cape Town on 11 February 1990, that “COSATU’s organised strength is the pride of our movement. You remain the most dependable force in the struggle to end exploitation and oppression.”

COSATU’s political strength and influence played a critical role in both the destruction of apartheid and the adoption of the democratic constitution and laws which underpin our freedom, something it could never have done if it has tried to be non-political and confined itself to organising in the workplace, important though that has always been.

Many of the political problem we inherited from apartheid remain unresolved today, notably the massive levels of unemployment, poverty and inequality and the growth of casualisation of employment. The unions have no alternative but to continue campaigning politically for laws and policies that address these problems in the interests of our member and our broader constituency of the poor majority of South Africans.

Ironically Buhlungu concedes that “the democratic environment serves to enhance the extension of the political influence of Cosatu” yet tries to present this in a negative light by insisting that “union movements have learnt the hard way that political influence is impossible to sustain in the absence of organisational power.”

Not only, once again, is there no evidence produced of this “absence of organisational power” but he fails to see the evidence that, particularly since the ANC Conference of 2007, COSATU’s political influence has not been “impossible to sustain” but has significantly grown, which would have been impossible if we had imploded internally and lost our “organisational power”.

He is equally wrong on union membership, with his claim that “Membership figures of Cosatu affiliates had either stagnated or declined since the start of the decade with the huge job losses of the recession worsening the trend”.

Of course no trade union in the world has not been negatively affected by the recession and casualisation, but Buhlungu only needed to look at our audited membership statistics presented to successive National Congresses to see that COSATU membership continued to grow throughout most of the decade and even in the recession has lost fewer members than in most other countries, and in many sectors union membership still kept on rising.

COSATU deplores the fact that a Professor of Sociology can make such wild allegations without making any attempt to produce scientific evidence to back them up, or even having the courtesy to ask trade unionists for their views before he put pen to paper.

popcru

1.2 Private security no solution to unsafe schools

Mampane Norman, POPCRU National Spokesperson, 11 February 2010

POPCRU discourages belief that private security is the solution to unsafe schools

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) has noted the ugly incident at the New West Secondary School in Kwazulu-Natal, where a learner lost a life after being stabbed by a fellow student. We believe a school must a centre of excellence in which our young people are nurtured to assume future responsibilities as architects of kind of a better South Africa will all aspire to have.

We have noted the continued belief that exorbitant subscriptions to security companies is a solution to security in schools and we believe that the idea is a non-starter. This is an opportunistic idea to continue to make our schools unaffordable with a few capitalists benefitting at the expense of our working class.

Our communities, with the collaboration of progressive organizations in the education sector such as South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) and School Governing Bodies, must build strong security committees in liaison with South African Police Service for regular body searches and visits to all institutions of learning in the country in all Provinces.

POPCRU is content that this view is not foreign in our communities, because is part and parcel of the Street Communities establishment and the SACP’s “Knowing our Neighbour Campaign” to own safety and security issues in our lifetime.

The ANC 8^th January Statement articulated an important pillar, of ploughing a “Public Sector Cadreship, which means nurturing a good service to our people and a caring attitude in dealing with each other” and that should be a seed to be planted in our young students.

Achieving all the non-negotiable in teaching, learning and management cannot be realized without dealing with cornerstone of any Institution; which is Security.

POPCRU calls upon all learners, parents, educators and police officers to have a meeting of minds and resolve on better approaches to curb this carnage in our schools. ANC Polokwane resolved that key pillars of our fight against all forms of crime must be to:

§ Champion the centering of Community Policing as the best model of policing;

§ Revitalising the Moral Regenerations campaign to change the behaviour of young people and lastly

§ Utilising our police stations as centres to coordinate mass mobilization against crime.

Revolutionary Trade Unions must be the centre of driving quality service to our people.

2. South Africa

cosatu RED logo

2.1 Mandela’s release anniversary

Mluleki Mntungwa, COSATU Communications Officer, 10 February 2010

COSATU has joined millions of South Africans, and democrats all over the world in celebrating one of the most important milestones in the country’s march to freedom and democracy - the release from prison of our struggle icon, Nelson Mandela. No-one who was alive on 11 February 1990 will ever forget the drama of that day which transformed our lives.

In his maiden speech after his release, Mandela was full of praise of the working class for the struggle it waged against apartheid. He told the masses who attended his first rally in Cape Town that “COSATU’s organised strength is the pride of our movement. You remain the most dependable force in the struggle to end exploitation and oppression.”

He showered the working class with praises, acutely aware that COSATU had called a series of national general strikes, which helped to destabilize the apartheid government and forced it to unban the ANC. The founding Secretary General of COSATU, Jay Naidoo, puts this point succinctly in one of his interviews as to how COSATU’s two-pronged strategy contributed to this historic day. "We fought for the rights of workers on the factory floor but we simultaneously made sure that the struggle for political freedom was also on our agenda.”

Madiba’s words on 11 February 1990 were a fitting tribute to the massive contribution that the working class made to end the oppressive regime of the National Party and the crime against humanity that was apartheid. He inspired and encouraged the working class to redouble its efforts in the fight against the eradication of all the unjust apartheid era laws which made conditions on the factory floor oppressive.

COSATU later returned Madiba’s compliment. When the Central Executive Committee of COSATU decided to inaugurated the Elijah Barayi Award for outstanding leadership and service - the most important award ever to be presented to any human being by COSATU - there was no lengthy debate as to who should be its first recipient. There was only one candidate: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

As COSATU General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, said, on presenting the award, on COSATU’s 15^th anniversary, “Comrade Madiba, the workers of South Africa wish to bestow this award on you in recognition of the outstanding leadership and service you have rendered to themselves and their country, and to reflect the love and appreciation which we feel for the huge sacrifice and contribution you have made to South Africa as a whole, and to working people in particular.

“You have been a constant inspiration to us from the days of the Congress of the People, through the armed struggle, the dark days in prison and exile, the mass uprisings of the eighties, to the period of negotiations, and finally the days of liberation and reconstruction.

“You have always first and foremost been the leader of the people’s movement. Whether you were the young lion fighting to radicalise the ANC, the leader of the defiance campaign, the ‘black pimpernel’ avoiding the clutches of the security police, the MK commander-in-chief seeking weapons and funding in Africa, and unifier and leader on Robben Island, or the negotiator, a statesman and first President of a democratic South Africa, you never lost sight of your role as the leader and servant of the liberation movement. You have taught us all these lessons through your commitment, your dedication, your humility, your selflessness, your loyalty and your discipline - that to be a true leader is to be a servant of your people. For this we salute you.”

These words merit repetition on this historic anniversary.

The events of 11 February 1990 set in motion an unstoppable revolutionary movement. It led to the triumphant democratic elections of 27 April 1994, the exemplary constitution of 1996 and progressive labour laws such as the Labour Relations Act, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and a host of other laws that sought to emancipate workers politically.

Whilst tremendous progress has been made on the political front, however, workers have not been emancipated economically. The alarming rate of unemployment leaves millions of South Africans in grinding poverty. Workers are still being retrenched in droves. Casualisation is still the order of the day in many workplaces. The war for decent wages still rages on. Despite all these challenges, COSATU will continue to support the ANC because it has the track record to be able to deliver a better life. The union federation will also continue, as Mandela said, to be the dependable force in the struggle to end exploitation and oppression, and will always be inspired by the leadership he has given us throughout his long life.

2.2 YCLSA concerned over job loss rate

Gugu Ndima, YCLSA National spokesperson, 10 February 2010

The Young Communist League of South Africa (uFasimba) has noted the Quarterly Labour Force Survey published by Statistics SA which gives damning statistics on the number of Jobs that have been shed in the previous quarter; this warrants for concern, as the majority of unemployed South Africans are young people.

One of our expectations in the State of the Nation Address is how the President will address the spiralling crises of unemployment, and how the Department of Public Works will account for the 500 000 jobs which were expected to be created through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). In the third quarter alone, 418000 jobs have been shed in the third quarter alone not withstanding that in the first 9 months of 2009 already 959000 were lost.

As the YCL we are concerned about the number of young people who remain trapped in poverty and unemployment, and their worsening socio-economic circumstances. We believe that real democracy, and real celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the release of Nelson Mandela, can only be realised through changing the apartheid socio-economic conditions for the youth. The sky-rocketing rate of unemployment should be treated as a crisis that should be urgently addressed especially as we approach the FIFA 2010 World Cup. The biggest threat to the World Cup is not some illusionary terror groups from Afghanistan or Cabinda, but the growing disquiet amongst the youth that the World Cup has only delivered for the few.

We further call on the private sector, civil society, youth formations and government to urgently engage with the crises of unemployment and ensure that we jointly come up with solutions to this crisis. In this regard, the YCLSA is preparing for a "Jobs for Youth" Summit in April to create dialogue on the issue.

2.3 Comments made by deplorable backward-looking leadership of Cope

Irvin Jim, NUMSA General Secretary, 10 February 2010

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) notes the opportunistic stance taken by so called leadership in COPE yesterday calling a press conference to lambast the President of the ANC and Republic Jacob Zuma.

President Zuma voluntarily apologized to the liberation alliance and to the rest of the country about the matter of fathering a child and he took full responsibility for his action, he did this even though it could be argued that this is a personal matter.

All morally sound, progressive and decent human beings accepted his apology, because they know that the only person who doesn’t commit mistakes is a person that does nothing. Those with religious convictions would know that in religion an acknowledgement of wrongdoing and repentance suffices to forgive the wrongdoer.

Yesterday, Numsa was extremely shocked to see the so called leadership of Cope in a press conference judging President Zuma and deciding his faith on the basis of morality, they went further to call for his resignation.

Numsa is disturbed by such self imposed morality by Cope because it opportunistically ignores the irresponsible neglect of COPE leaders who fail to acknowledge and support children they conceived out of wedlock. What hypocrisy. South African society can never subscribe to this self-seeking morality.

We must ask what happened to the morality of COPE opportunists that plotted for years to wipe out our national liberation movement. They didn’t bother then to ask what will happen to the ANC’s historical mission which is to liberate the majority of the peoples of this country black people in general African in particular. They were ready to destroy Cosatu and SACP the only spear and the shield for the exploited working class in factories, in mines and on farms. They indeed wanted to lay to rest our political insurance of the working class the vanguard party (SACP) with a black bag in a boot of a car. They claimed that they were doing this in the interest of the working class and the poor.

The people of this country refused and abandoned them in the polls. As if this was not enough they went and formed alliances with worse reactionary rightwing imperialist- inspired political parties like the DA as they did in Sandton when they launched political party.

It took their youth wing couple of few months to realize that these guys are about themselves not the people. All of the COPE leadership went to parliament and no one was willing to work full time on their impossible vision to build and realize this so-called mass organization that seeks to destroy the African national congress.

The real reason for such a big delegation in their press conference was to parade and to pageant themselves not on the president of the ANC issue but to embark on a cheap campaign and appear to be doing something for Cope.

To win votes for their coming electing conference in May 2010, a conference that was forced against their will instead of dealing with issues raised by their youth, their confused Terror Lekota instead became a Stalinist and are now jumping on the Jacob Zuma issue purely to position themselves in their sectoral right wing reactionary party this is hypocrisy at its best.

What Numsa reject is their use of morality when many of us who are using revolutionary morality regard them as sell outs (Impimpi) who sold out our own movement.

To them the blood that was shed and of millions who had died in the line of duty, in prisons, hostels, in the hands of the police state, in class rooms, in many notorious massacres inside and outside of our country, those who were poisoned, those who were bombed and killed in our camps in exile meant noting.

Above all they openly work hard to liquidate the ANC of Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, and Chris Hani, Lillian Ngoyi, Joe Slovo and all martyrs of our struggle.

Nelson Mandela in his life time he had to witness such soldiers of fortune in the field who were willing to sell and destroy the movement he built for many decades and few years since he voluntary gave it to them, a movement that he and many others cherish its vision and if need be they were willing to die for.

He had to spend 27 years toiling in jail to realized victory of freedom and within a period of 15 years they were willing to give back to oppressors and openly say it is no longer needed working openly with the enemy camp.

They are pointing fingers at President Zuma whilst all of them including Smuts Ngonyama are less than candid on the subject that they are talking about. If the matter is related to the individual conduct of personalities, the media must ask them whether they are willing to have an audit done on their personal sexual history.

Numsa members and broader society should remember that it was Sam Shilowa who in parliament opposed the nomination of Cde Zuma for President of the Republic when the entire opposition parties ignored their foolishness. We shall never be fooled by non political entities.

2.4 SABC Board should make public Turnaround Strategy and forensic audit

Mabutho ‘Kid’ Sithole, CWUSA President, 10 February 2010

The Creative Workers Union of South Africa (CWUSA) has called on the SABC Board to make public its Turnaround Strategy and forensic audit commissioned by the Interim Board appointed by the then State President Kgalema Motlhanthe.

The SABC Board has been given a mandate by government – the shareholder – on behalf of the people of South Africa to rebuild the public broadcaster and to do so sustainably, without wasting money or damaging a valuable national asset.

Since the new Board took power at SABC, there has been no public disclosure on:

The new Turnaround Strategy
Renewed efforts to recover the finances allegedly mismanaged by the former Board led by Ms Khanyisile Mkhonza, and
The result of the forensic audit of the apparent looting of the broadcaster’s money by SABC Chief Financial Officer Mr Nicholson.

The Creative Workers Union is interested to know on the following pertinent issues:

How is the new Board going to utilize the R1,87 billion bail-out from government?
When are the independent producers going to be paid their outstanding monies by the SABC?
When are new programmes are going to be commissioned in the interests of creating jobs for artists?
When are the wrong-doers to be brought to book?
Will the bail-out mean that all producers owed will be paid?
Does the bail-out mean more work for creative workers since more productions will be commissioned?
Does the bail-out mean no more small-budget productions?
Does the bail-out more comfort for recipients who do not deserve it, instead of increasing the local content quota?
Does the bail-out mean at last commercial exploitation payments are going to be made to creative workers?

These and other important matters need an urgent response from the SABC Board and if there is failure to do so we are prepared to go to the streets.

2.5 YCLSA supports COSATU’s call for “Lifestyle audit”

Gugu Ndima, YCLSA National spokesperson, 10 February 2010

The Young Communist League of South Africa (UFasimba) supports the call by COSATU for government to conduct a lifestyle audit amongst public servants and government officials. The culture of opulence and crass materialisms should be bought to halt as it delays service delivery.

The lifestyles of some government officials should be questioned especially if they are living beyond their means. Government cannot be seen as a place that advocates “bling”, especially if it’s one that is bias to the poor and the working class. We have seen a number of service delivery protests that have now spiralled out of control; most of them are as a result of the delayed service delivery process and corruption.

The YCLSA calls for the Minister of Corporate governance and Traditional affairs, Comrade Sicelo Shiceka to further place emphasis in exposing corruption; the Turnaround strategy had very specific details about segments of government spheres being marred by excessive levels of corruption, fraud and maladministration inter alia. The Task team which was put in place by the minister specifically to deal with Local government has been a step in the direct direction to assess and monitor short-comings of government at local level. Visible change needs to happen before local government elections in order to curb service delivery protests.

The Minister needs to take serious action against unscrupulous civil servants. Naming and shaming those that see government as a fertile ground for aspiring millionaires will encourage fellow citizens to expose other government officials that are entangled in solicit activities. We also expect the President in the State of the Nations address to place emphasis on corruption within government.

2.6 Aids relief funding threatened

Treatment Action Campaign, 10 February 2010

American leaders are currently discussing the future of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, PEPFAR. Global health activists and experts have warned that these discussions could lead to reduced funding for, and threaten the autonomy of, PEPFAR in a period of declining donor interest in HIV/AIDS.

In order for South Africa and many other countries to reach universal access, a commitment endorsed by the United States, PEPFAR will need to continue to expand funding for HIV.

In its first five years, PEPFAR funding reached $18.8 billion (R141 billion). From 2003 – 2009 PEPFAR treatment support is estimated to have saved 3.28 million adult lives. South Africa, the epicenter of the epidemic, receives a substantial amount of its HIV funding from PEPFAR. In fiscal year 2008, South Africa received nearly $590.9 million (R4.43 billion).

South Africa is moving into a new era in its AIDS response. The new government has demonstrated political commitment to meeting the treatment and prevention targets of the National Strategic Plan (2007-2011) (NSP). Targets include providing treatment to 80% of people in need and reducing new infections by 50% by 2011. It would be a great pity if this new era of local political commitment to tackle HIV was undermined by a decline in the international funder commitment.

South Africa will need to double the number of people receiving antiretroviral treatment to meet its NSP targets. The government will be further expanding access to treatment through implementing the changes to the treatment guidelines announced by President Zuma on World AIDS Day and implementing provider initiated testing.

In South Africa a funding cut will mean the government will face an increase in costs with the rapid need for scale up in spending of HIV and at the same time replacing donor funds.

Moreover, other Sub-Saharan African countries with large HIV epidemics are much more dependent on donor funds than South Africa. Unlike South Africa, countries like Malawi, Namibia and Zambia have little prospect of finding alternative finance if PEPFAR funds decline and any contraction of PEPFAR would mean less money for HIV treatment and prevention programmes. This will mean more infections and more deaths.

Unfortunately, several very vocal economists and public health officials, with little understanding of the crisis HIV presents for Sub-Saharan Africa, have been calling for reduced funding for AIDS because, they argue, donor money should rather be directed towards building health systems. This argument fails to consider:

the massive negative impact of the HIV epidemic on life-expectancy and the economic potential of young adults in Sub-Saharan Africa;
the benefits to programmes fighting TB and malaria (the two other largest causes of infectious disease deaths in the world) of increased AIDS spending;
the improvements to health systems that are occurring because of AIDS programmes, in part because of the unprecedented community involvement in the HIV epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa compared to other diseases; and
the positive changes to patient-health worker relations in many poorer countries that the global response to health that HIV has caused.

We urge the United States not to turn its back on universal access to HIV treatment at this vital time.

2.7 Welcome for report by curator appointed for unaccompanied children at Central Methodist Church

Mark Heywood, ALP, 10 February 2010

On 8 Feb 2010, Dr Ann Skelton, the curatrix appointed for unaccompanied children at the Central Methodist Church (CMC) by the Gauteng South High Court, filed her report and recommendations.

The report is available at: http://server.alp.org.za/Report%20Skelton%20CMC%20children.pdf and the press release by Dr Skelton containing a summary of the recommendations and findings is available at:

http://server.alp.org.za/Media%20Release%20Ann%20Skelton%20CMC%20children.doc

Dr Skelton’s report is comprehensive and was completed in a short space of time. It involved consultations with a number of state and other role players. Whilst the AIDS Law Project (ALP) and Legal Resources Centre (LRC) believe there are certain shortcomings in the report, we support many of its findings and welcome most of its recommendations. Rev Paul Verryn has also indicated his support for the recommendations. The ALP will provide an affidavit responding to the report to the High Court within the next two weeks.

We believe the report is valuable because it:

§ Recognizes that a combination of political violence and poverty in Zimbabwe has created a situation in which minors are forced to flee homes and families to what are perceived to be the greener and safer pastures of South Africa. It also Recognizes that these children are exposed to danger and sexual violence at almost every point of their travel;

§ Recognizes that this problem has existed at least since 2005 and that for several years it was overlooked by the government;

§ Notes that although South Africa has a good legal and policy framework to protect children, there are major gaps with the implementation of this framework, leading to children being essentially unprotected by the state; and

§ Makes important recommendations on the steps that need to be taken to implement the legal and policy framework and protect the rights of children.

The report recognizes the role that has been played by Bishop Verryn over a number of years in trying to support both child and adult refugees at the CMC, as well as the efforts of other organisations to try to better the lives of affected children.

However, importantly, it does not confine itself to the needs of the 56 children for whom Dr Skelton acts as a curatrix. It also makes findings on underlying issues affecting unaccompanied minors coming to South Africa which also needed to be planned and budgeted for by our government. It notes for example that

“the issue of unaccompanied foreign children is a national issue – and the Provincial budgets of Limpopo and Gauteng should not be unduly burdened by these costs.”

The recommendations identify the various state and private role players, provide them with an analysis of the relevant issues, and requires measures to address the plight of the children as effectively as possible. The report provides a guided step-by-step plan to urgently and progressively address the situation with the children. It provides a list of tasks under each recommendation made and a suggested time frame. We call on all stakeholders to accept and implement these recommendations and for them to be made an order of court.

Finally, we note that the report makes the responsible recommendation that the sexual abuse allegations must be fully investigated by the relevant authorities within the police and prosecutorial services. In this context we restate our appeal for media accuracy in reporting on this issue. The report illustrates the complexity of the challenges facing the children at the CMC. Sensationalized and exaggerated reporting does little to assist a sustainable resolution of these challenges.

For further background and statements by the LRC and ALP on this issue:

See our 5 January 2010 press release: www.alp.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=105&Itemid=1

And our 26 January 2010 press release: http://www.alp.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=108

3. International

3.1 COSATU condemns Swaziland kidnappings

Xolile Thabethe, Swaziland Democracy Campaign Co-ordinator, 10 February 2010

COSATU has condemned the reported kidnapping of students in Swaziland by the state security forces this morning at 10am. According to the Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS), “up to now their whereabouts is still not known.

The comrades are:

Pius Vilakati, the president of Students representative Council at the University of Swaziland,
Maxwell Dlamini, National Organizing Secretary of the Swaziland National Union of Students,
Sipho Simelane, SRC member at the University and
Thembela Ngcamphalala also vice chairperson of Kwaluseni branch of SNUS and branch organizing secretary of SNUS Kwaluseni.”

This is related to the on-going class boycotts by the students which led to the closure of the only University in the country and other five tertiary education institutions in the country which are SCOT, William Pitcher, Ngwane Teacher Training College, Nazarene Teacher Training and Nursing College in the past week.

This follows a brave show of courage and defiance by students under SNUS to challenge the oppressive regime and defend their right to learn. The students have organised activities that have become known as the January movement, wherein they ensured that they mobilise all students and the whole country around the need to defend access to quality education for all and the urgency of democratising the country as part of transforming not only education, but the entirety of Swazi society.

The demands of the students include:

Registration of SNUS as the official voice of students,
Increase in personal allowances, Scrapping off the scholarship policy which is currently in draft form and denies many students from poor background the possibility of further education and training
Provision of free primary and quality education for all primary school pupils.

We are further told that here was a proposed meeting for the students of Swaziland where the state made all efforts by using force to stop the meeting.

The message about today’s arrests and disappearances came through while South African Civil society was holding a meeting at the South African Council of Churches (SACC) headquarters in Johannesburg to receive final report on preparations towards the historic launch of the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC) taking place next week between South African and Swazi organisations here in Johannesburg.

The meeting conveyed its profound solidarity and salutations to the students and urged them to soldier on, knowing well that the world is fully behind them. The meeting went on to call upon South African organisations; students, youth, churches, NGOs, trade unions, political parties and all social movements to join the call to do something decisive in support of the suffering people of Swaziland. This confirmed the urgency of a global campaign for democracy in Swaziland, hence the importance of the efforts underway to co-ordinate a sustained and effective movement for a new and democratic Swaziland.

For more details contact Philani Ndebele at

Mobile: 076 942 3565 or

Email: phi...@actionsupport.co.za

3.2 Update on abduction of SNUS leadership

Lucky Lukhele, SSN spokesperson, 11 February 2010

The latest news from Swaziland regarding the mass action by tertiary students indicates that their student leaders are being victimised by state police. The National Organising Secretary of the Swaziland National Union of Students, Maxwell Dlamini, was abducted early on Wednesday morning and dumped in Sidvokodvo, an area located on the outskirts of Manzini. He survived the ordeal an was able to narrate it to others. The whereabouts of the president of the Union, Pius Vilakati, were still unknown at the time of the publication of this statement.

There is widespread fear amongst the students that he could possibly have been harmed or murdered. This is fuelled by the widespread reports of violence employed by police on innocent citizens in the past few months. The SSN hopes that this is not the case and that he will soon resurface to continue his mandated duties in leading the students to victory in their quest for a right to learn.

4. Poetry

4.1 A Journey Walker!

Thobile Maso, SAMWU, 11 February 2010

Growing, crawling and born he was below the mountain valley
Carried by body of his thin strong legs
Here he came, walking forward on his cold warm feet
Eyes looking way back searching for tomorrow

A journey walker!

Watching orange sun ready to set beyond the hills
Deep down the quiet hidden night
Smelling ocean tides hoofing like ending sound of thunder
Man can grow as tall no matter how

A journey walker!

Rough the world is
Rocky his mountain to climb on
When the waves of life begin to wave
Birth of a new day as a blessing of human social life

A journey walker!

From long swim to valley of agony and cruelty
Climbing his own steep high mountain
A mountain of kind ones and dangerous species
A mountain of wars and peaceful humans
A world of holiness and drug dealers
A world of freedom and fiefdom of kings
A world of exploiters and freedom fighters
This is a dynamic world he lives in

4.2 A rumour…

Thobile Maso, SAMWU, 11 February 2010

Liberal: Do you know what I just heard about one of your leaders?

Revolutionary: “Wait a moment, “Before you tell me, I’d like you to pass a little test. It’s called the Test of Three.”

Revolutionary conti: “Before you talk to me about my leader, let’s take a moment to test what you’re going to say. The first test is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?”‘

Liberal: “No,” he replied, “actually I just heard about it

Revolutionary: “So you don’t really know if it’s true or not. Now let’s try the second test, the test of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my leader something good

Liberal: “No, to the contrary…”

Revolutionary: So “you want to tell me something bad about my leader even though you’re not certain it’s true?”

Revolutionary: “You may still pass though because there is a third test, the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my leader is going to be useful to me?

Liberal: “No, not really.”

Revolutionary: “Well,” “if what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good nor even Useful, why you tell me at all?”

5. Letters

5.1 Promote Local Economic Development

Jimmy Boitumelo Mokgwetsi, Project Coordinator/Manager, Letsemeng Youth Development & Public Participation Association [NGO]

With the world cup approaching I believe I have an idea that can create jobs for a number of women and youth in the Textile industry. This idea has the potential to assist South African Local Soccer Committee {SAFA} in terms of contributing in the marketing or awareness campaign with regard to the Coming world cup.

The idea is around promoting the world cup and even other sporting events. When looking at the “football Friday” concept which is a defining moment with symbolic gesture, I believe the concept of seat covers will positively enhance the mobility of advertisement, and stimulate the project of “PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN”

in the past; I have realized that soccer fans put their favorite soccer teams T-shirts as seat covers in their vehicles. I therefore realize there is a need for the manufacturing and branding of motor vehicle seat covers with the emblems and logos for all participating teams [countries]

I want the very same idea to be applicable for the coming World Cup and other local sporting codes. Remember government ones complaint that SAFA/FIFA is not doing enough in terms of marketing the events. When designing and manufacturing these soccer seat covers, we should include all teams that are going to participate in the soccer events in order to assist in exporting.

This may also include car mats. i would suggest COSATU assist in identifying existing Car-Seat cover Manufacturers that are not performing so well in terms of production and is about to cut jobs, to do the manufacturing of this products and perhaps export.

I trust this should not be a recurrence of the ZAKUMI debacle

This Idea could perhaps only be promoted specific for Bafana Bafana Colors; or can also be extended to other sporting codes.

Please assist in local economic development

6. Adverts

COSATU JOB VACANCIES

6.1 Deputy International Secretary

COSATU has a vacant position of the Deputy International Secretary based in its head office in Braamfontein

The successful candidate's responsibility will be to assist with the coordination of

COSATU's international work in areas of international policy, campaigns and institutional development of the department. Other responsibilities include:

§ Assist developing the COSATU international relations policy in accordance with the

§ overall organizational vision;

§ Help COSATU Affiliates to develop their international relations policies consistent

§ with those of the Federation;

§ Cultivate bilateral relations between national centers of various countries as well as

§ international trade union coordinating bodies;

§ Assist COSATU unions to establish sectoral relations with their sister unions

§ Present COSATU at international conferences

§ Receive, host and brief international delegations/guests from unions, business, government,

§ non-governmental organizations about COSATU policies and positions on a

§ whole range of issues;

§ Brief COSATU representatives going on trips abroad and debrief them upon return;

§ Assist in coordinating the activities of the international relations committee;

§ Sit on some international committees on behalf of COSATU, including fact finding

§ missions and election observer missions;

§ Assist with fundraising efforts of the federation;

§ Liaise with alliance partners in pursuit of the agreed alliance international programmes;

§ Organize programmes, visits and other logistics related issues for international visitors,

§ trips for our delegates and other related programmes

Requirements:

§ Preferably a bachelor's degree or equivalent in trade union or international experience

§ Strong analytical and writing skills

§ Research techniques

§ Commitment to the values and objectives of the Federation

§ Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

All applications should be sent on or before 01 March 2010 with detailed

CV, and contactable references to:

The General Secretary P.O.Box 1019 Johannesburg 2000

Fax: 011-339-6940 / 011-339-5080 Email: Khany...@cosatu.org.za

Please note that communication will only be made to those who will be short-listed.

6.2 Shopsteward Manager and Graphic Designer

COSATU has a vacant position of the Shopsteward Manager based in its head office in Braamfontein

The successful candidate's responsibility will be to design and lay out the Shopsteward magazine and deal with all the business of the magazine, including distribution, advertising, subscriptions, marketing and production management.

Other responsibilities include:

§ Taking overall responsibility for maintaining and expanding the Shopsteward magazine

§ distribution list to ensure that it reaches all shop-stewards in all COSATU affiliates;

§ Ensure computerized records are kept, updated for each edition;

§ Maintain and expand the Shopsteward magazine subscription list;

§ Handle all subscriptions queries and develop proposals to expand subscriptions;

§ Ensure that all affiliates and advertisers receive monthly invoice of the Shopsteward

§ magazine;

§ Follow up payments with affiliates and advertisers

§ Design and layout all COSATU publications;

Requirements:

§ Post matric qualification and or relevant experience

§ Commitment to the values and objectives of the Federation

§ Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

Please note that communication will only be made to those who will be short-listed.

All applications should be sent on or before 01 March 2010 with detailed CV, and contactable references to:

The General Secretary P.O.Box 1019 Johannesburg 2000

Fax: 011-339-6940 / 011-339-5080 Email: Khany...@cosatu.org.za

6.3 Labour Market Policy Coordinator

COSATU has a vacant position of the Labour Market Policy Coordinator based in its head office in Braamfontein

The Labour Market Policy Coordinator, coordinates the implementation of COSATU labour market policy and also ensures the implementation of the policy by Affiliates. Functions include:

1. Policy development and engagement:

§ Develop and ensure the implementation COSATU labour market policy;

§ Represent COSATU in statutory structures

§ Develop COSATU submissions on labour market issues;

§ Lobby support for COSATU policy and positions by negotiating at various engagement forums

§ Represent COSATU at the labour market chamber of NEDLAC

§ Ensure implementation of decisions taken at the Chamber and other statutory bodies.

2. Support for Education, Campaigns and Communication

Departments:

§ Develop material for education on labour legislation;

§ Facilitate in capacity building workshops on labour legislation;

§ Jointly with Campaigns unit, develop materials for campaigns on labour legislation and related issues;

§ Work in collaboration with the Campaigns unit to roll out the campaigns programme related to labour market issues;

§ Communicate COSATU policies to the broader public through the media

§ Work with communication unit to develop press statements on labour market related issues.

3. Organisational Development:

§ Support COSATU negotiators in various forums

§ Advice and support COSATU Provinces in their dealings with Provincial Governments;

§ Write short policy memos and briefings for leadership;

§ Identify research needs and other issues requiring the intervention of the organization

§ Strengthen COSATU relationship with other stakeholders/social partners

Requirements:

§ Political skills and sensitivity including the ability to represent the Federation effectively

§ Tertiary qualification would be an advantage particularly in Economics, Law or Social sciences

§ Good writing and analytical skills, especially in respect of policy and legislative commentary

§ Experience in policy and legislative analysis will be an added advantage;

§ Trade Union or other progressive civil society formations background;

§ Ability to work effectively under pressure

§ A commitment to the aims and perspectives of COSATU

§ Be prepared to work flexible hours and travel

§ Be computer literate

§ Be in possession of a valid drivers licence

All applications should be sent on or before 01 March 2010 with detailed

CV, and contactable references to:

The General Secretary P.O.Box 1019 Johannesburg 2000

Fax: 011-339-6940 / 011-339-5080 Email: Khany...@cosatu.org.za

6.4 Skills Development Policy Coordinator

COSATU has a vacant position of the Skills Development Coordinator based in its head office in Braamfontein

The successful candidate's responsibility will be to provide technical assistance and support to COSATU and Affiliates on skills development policy. Other responsibilities include:

§ Representing COSATU in national and sectoral negotiations an/or public meetings

§ on skills development policy issues, where required;

§ Lobby COSATU policy and positions where required;

§ Briefing the leadership, preparing submissions and negotiating positions for other

§ COSATU officials and representatives on skills development;

§ Preparing submissions and reports on national and sectoral skills proposals and

§ plans;

§ Planning, preparing and conducting policy development and skills development

§ workshops for officials and Affiliates to explain, brief and/or discuss issues and developments in skills development;

§ Coordinate a programme of activities for COSATU and its Affiliates for intervention

§ in skills development at national, sectoral, company and plant level;

§ Advise and support COSATU provincial offices in their dealings with provincial

§ governments and skills development;

§ Prepare policy proposals on skills development for discussion and consideration

§ by the decision-making structures and sub-structures of COSATU;

§ Identify research needs around skills development issues;

§ Maintaining data of Affiliates/COSATU skills development negotiations, trends,

§ developments and agreements;

§ Develop materials for workshops purposes, manuals, reports, submissions memorandums,

§ correspondence and presentations;

§ Liaise with alliance partners, NGO's, government departments on HR issues.

Requirements:

§ Preferably a bachelor's degree or equivalent and relevant experience

§ Strong analytical and writing skills

§ Research techniques

§ Computer literate

§ Commitment to the values and objectives of the Federation

§ Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

All applications should be sent on or before 01 March 2010 with detailed CV, and contactable references to:

The General Secretary P.O.Box 1019 Johannesburg 2000

Fax: 011-339-6940 / 011-339-5080 Email: Khany...@cosatu.org.za

	THE CENTRE FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION Cape Town, South Africa, invites you and members of your organisation to the public dialogue seminar
	South Africa and Cuba: The Legacy of Cuito Cuanavale
CHAIR and DISCUSSANT:	Mr Brian Williams Diversity Management Specialist Cape Town
SPEAKER:	His Excellency Ambassador Angel Villa Embassy of Cuba in South Africa Pretoria
DATE:	Friday, 12 February 2010
TIME:	17h30 to 19h00
VENUE:	Centre for the Book, 62 Queen Victoria Street, Gardens, Cape Town
RSVP:	Lavenia Benjamin
TEL:	(021) 689 1005
E-MAIL:	lav...@ccr.uct.ac.za
WEBSITE:	www.ccr.org.za

All are welcome and entry is free.

Kindly RSVP for seating purposes.

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