Taking COSATU Today Forward, 13 May 2026
Norman Mampane
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Taking COSATU Today Forward
‘Whoever sides with the revolutionary people in deed as well as in word is a revolutionary in the full sense’-Maoo
Our side of the story
13 May 2026
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- SALGA urges public to submit comments on revised draft White Paper South Africa
- South African Communist Party Statement on President Ramaphosa’s decision to take the Section 89 independent panel decision for review
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- New WHO health inequality country profiles to track progress on achieving health equity
- SBI workers in India announce nationwide strike following two years of unresolved issues
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics #ClassWar
SALGA urges public to submit comments on revised draft White Paper on Local Government
10 May 2026
The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) calls on the public to actively participate in the process of redefining the next phase of local governance by submitting inputs into the Reviewed Draft White Paper on Local Government.
This call follows the publishing of the draft document for public comment by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr. Velenkosini Hlabisa, on 7 May 2026, giving stakeholders three-weeks, until 28 May, to submit their views.
SALGA, with the support of the Dullah Omar Institute at the University of the Western Cape, submitted comprehensive proposals to shape the review. The Association is encouraged that a significant number of its proposals have been incorporated in the gazetted draft.
Key SALGA proposals reflected in the draft White Paper include:
Fit-for-purpose municipal structures – by advocating for the simplification of local government structures, retaining district municipalities mainly in areas with limited capacity and strengthening metropolitan and urban municipalities.
Differentiated powers and functions – moving away from a one-size-fits-all model to a system that assigns powers based on municipal capacity, performance and local developmental needs.
Strengthening governance and accountability – through clear role definition between councillors and administration, improved enforcement of ethical standards, and strengthened oversight mechanisms.
Professionalisation of municipal administration – by prioritising competency-based recruitment, reducing political interference, and strengthening performance management systems.
Enhanced community participation and partnerships – by revitalising ward committees, improving transparency, and promoting meaningful engagement with communities and stakeholders.
Improved fiscal sustainability – reinforcing the principle that “funding follows functions”, protecting municipal revenue sources, and strengthening financial management systems.
“We support the reviewing the 1998 White Paper on Local Government, which has served South Africa for nearly three decades. While the current system of local government has laid a solid foundation and delivered important gains, it has not consistently worked as intended.
“Our focus during this review period has, therefore, been on practical, implementable reforms to build on existing strengths while addressing persistent challenges. SALGA’s proposals are designed to transform the system without losing the gains already achieved and to usher in a new era of effective, responsive and accountable local governance,” explains Bheke Stofile, SALGA President.
Stofile emphasised on the importance of members of the public, civil society organisations, state institutions, traditional leadership structures, business formations, labour, and all interested stakeholders participating in this “defining and historical process which will determine the kind of local governance communities experience in the next decades”.
Stakeholders can submit their comments through the following channels:
Submissions may be sent via email to: WPL...@cogta.gov.za; Rich...@cogta.gov.za; Maph...@cogta.gov.za.
Alternatively, submissions may be sent by posted to: The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Attention: Mr. Thabiso Richard Plank (White Paper Review), Private Bag X802, Pretoria 0001
Submissions can also be delivered in person to: The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Attention: Mr. Thabiso Richard Plank (White Paper Review), 87 Hamilton Street, Arcadia, Pretoria 0001
SALGA reiterates its commitment to working with government, municipalities and stakeholders to ensure that the final White Paper delivers a capable, developmental and citizen-centred local government system.
Enquiries:
Motalatale Modiba
Cell: 072 515 3022
E-mail: mmo...@salga.org.za
Tebogo
Mosala
Cell: 084 666 7699
E-mail: tmo...@salga.org.za
Issued by South African Local Government Association
South Africa #ClassSolidarity
South African Communist Party Statement on President Ramaphosa’s decision to take the Section 89 independent panel decision for review
Mbulelo Mandlana, SACP Head of Media, Communications and Information, 12 May 2026
The South African Communist Party (SACP) notes the decision of President Cyril Ramaphosa to take the 2022 report of the Section 89 independent panel on Phala Phala for review. The review application will effectively halt any impeachment proceedings against the president until it is concluded.
Consequently, the public is forced to wait once again for full accountability on the Phala Phala matter, regardless of the fact that the outcomes of the parliament-appointed panel led by Justice Ngcobo initially pronounced that there was sufficient evidence that the president may have committed serious misconduct and violated the Constitution. Given that such a hearing would effectively be put in abeyance, the answers will not be revealed in a timely manner, leaving the scandal unresolved and the president’s conduct subject to more speculation than investigation. To the extent that it is in the public interest that this information be unearthed and relevant people held to account, the SACP is concerned that the lifespan of the scandal will be effectively extended for an unpredictable period.
We recognise the president’s legal right to take the matter on review and make no pronouncements against that particular right. However, the existence and exercise of that right, as with any other right for those in public office, must be understood and interpreted beyond the prism of the personal fate of the president as an individual but must be considered within the context of his larger moral responsibility of leadership, the responsibility to protect and indeed guarantee the stability and credibility of government while ensuring public trust and the integrity of government institutions. For the office of the president, this consideration is even greater given that the president is the head of state and head of government. This responsibility goes beyond the technical legalities but exists as a moral, ethical and political principle to protect the integrity of the state and its standing with the people. An appropriate regard of this responsibility cannot coexist with a decision that effectively prolongs the Phala Phala controversy.
On Sunday, 10 May, through our General Secretary Solly Mapaila, we expressed our preference for the appropriate handling of this matter. We advocate for an expedited rather than delayed impeachment process. Options to the contrary would only exacerbate the reputational crisis already facing the state and the Presidency, which is neither desirable nor aligned with the concept of “public good”.
This matter is not only related to the fate of Cyril Ramaphosa as an individual but also to the fate of an entire nation. The weight and significance of the office he holds are bigger than his personal affairs, including the questions of what happens or does not happen in his game farm.
In the midst of this crisis, the people face overwhelming difficulties in their daily lives requiring sober and undivided attention. That concern for the people’s problems is now shared with management of a perpetual scandal under continued public scrutiny with no visible end in sight. The worsening conditions of poverty and unemployment have reached catastrophic levels. The Madlanga Commission proceedings have already revealed a thoroughgoing crisis of lawlessness across government institutions, laying bare mismanagement and corruption of extraordinary proportions. The voter turnout in the 2024 elections was the lowest in the history of our democracy, a clear indictment by the masses on the governance of our country. Public trust has been on a downward spiral for a sustained period of time. Yet at the height of this crisis, the government is getting increasingly engulfed by the resurgence of controversy and political scandal through this resuscitation of Phala Phala. This is not merely a legal or administrative problem but a political crisis with clear strategic implications for the South African revolution.
The actions of the president ought to reflect an appreciation of these facts. The decision to review falls short of this standard. Beyond this limitation, the review process delays the setting up of an impeachment committee and comes across as a tactic to buy time. It does not meet the requirements of leadership for a time like this in history. An alternate approach at this time is most ideal.
ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN COMMUNIST PARTY,
FOUNDED IN 1921 AS THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF SOUTH AFRICA.
Media, Communications & Information Department | MCID
International-Solidarity
New WHO health inequality country profiles to track progress on achieving health equity
12 May 2026
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released interactive health inequality country profiles showing the state of health inequality in countries based on the Organization’s principal global health strategy, the Fourteenth General Programme of Work (GPW 14).
GPW 14 aims to promote, provide, and protect health and well-being for all, while advancing health equity and building resilience. The impact of GPW 14 is measured through a set of outcome indicators, which reflect progress towards the triple billion targets (ensuring that 6 billion people will enjoy healthier lives, 5 billion people will benefit from universal health coverage without financial hardship, and 7 billion people will be protected from health emergencies).
Of the 84 GPW 14 outcome indicators, 67 indicators can be disaggregated by dimensions of inequality such as age, sex, economic status, education and place of residence. The health inequality country profiles contain information about 45 of these outcome indicators (or suitable proxy indicators), as well as an overarching indicator, healthy life expectancy. The profiles cover diverse topics, including universal health coverage; noncommunicable and communicable diseases; reproductive maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health; health emergencies; and determinants of health. They are available for 195 countries, areas and territories.
Drawing on data from 11 publicly available sources in the WHO Health Inequality Data Repository, the profiles provide a snapshot of the latest situation of inequality and changes in inequality over time. Inequality graphics illustrate how health varies across population subgroups and can help countries identify where targeted action may be needed.
“The new health inequality country profiles provide a single access point for countries to take stock of inequalities in priority aspects of health,” said Ahmad Reza Hosseinpoor, Team Lead of Health Inequality Monitoring at WHO’s Department of Data, Digital Health, Analytics and AI. “In some cases, they also make it obvious where inequality data are not publicly available, and where there are opportunities to strengthen health information systems.”
The inequality data within the country profiles can be explored interactively. Users can tailor data displays and graphics according to their preferences. Complete country datasets can be downloaded for further use. The country profiles are accompanied by comprehensive technical notes and metadata and can be accessed on desktop and mobile devices.
The health inequality country profiles were developed through an extensive consultation process. Early versions of the country profile were revised based on feedback by focal points from WHO headquarters, regional offices and country offices, global health partners, health inequality experts and health data experts. The health inequality country profiles will be updated annually.
About
WHO Health Inequality Country Profiles
WHO Fourteenth General Programme of Work (GPW 14)
WHO Health Inequality Data Repository
Additional information about health inequality monitoring at WHO, including the Health Equity Assessment Toolkit and other tools and resources is available on the WHO Health Inequality Monitor.
Contact: inequality...@who.int
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SBI workers in India announce nationwide strike following two years of unresolved issues
13 May 2026
Workers at India’s largest public sector bank are set to take nationwide strike action after more than two years of sustained but unsuccessful efforts to resolve key concerns through established dialogue.
SBI is India’s largest public sector bank, employing hundreds of thousands of workers nationwide.
The All India State Bank of India Staff Federation (AISBISF), an affiliate of UNI Global Union, has formally notified the management of the State Bank of India (SBI) of a two-day nationwide strike on 25 and 26 May 2026. The union, which represents SBI workers in the workmen category, issued advance notice to management on 2 May 2026 in accordance with India’s Industrial Disputes Act. If either strike day falls on a public holiday or weekly rest day, the strike will be observed on 27 May 2026.
AISBISF has raised a list of 16 issues, which can be broadly grouped under three areas: employment and staffing, wages and social protection, and governance and ethical banking practices.
Under employment and staffing, the union has highlighted inadequate staffing across SBI operations, including the prolonged non-recruitment of messengers, a position that has not seen fresh recruitment in 29 years. Clerical recruitment has also been steadily declining while workloads increase.
The union has further raised the need to recruit armed guards, warning that the current shortage following retirements and promotions without replacement poses risks to staff, customers, and bank assets.
AISBISF has also raised serious concern over the growing use of outsourced workers for permanent and regular jobs, arguing this violates existing agreements with management. The federation also states that outsourced workers are frequently paid below the level their work warrants, contrary to the principle of fair wages.
Under wages and social protection, AISBISF has pointed to a growing pay disparity between officers and workmen following an additional allowance extended exclusively to officers after the most recent industry-wide settlement, effectively pushing officers’ wage increase to around 22 per cent, compared to 17 per cent for workmen.
AISBISF has also flagged the overdue review of the Career Progression Scheme for workmen, last revised in 2018 and due for revision since 2023.
Further concerns include unresolved issues affecting the National Pension System (NPS), India’s government-mandated defined contribution scheme, where over 55,000 award staff are reportedly unable to exercise their right to change pension fund managers, despite a Ministry of Finance directive requiring SBI to comply.
Additional issues cover delayed implementation of agreed physician consultation charges, improvements to the medical reimbursement scheme, and pending pension and retirement benefits for eligible retirees.
Under governance and ethical banking practices, the federation has pointed to the failure to honour or properly implement settlements and agreements, unresolved issues with the bank’s HR management system, and the long-delayed appointment of a Workmen Employee Director to the SBI board, a statutory right under the SBI (Appointment of Employee Director) Rules, 1974. The non-appointment of a Provident Fund Trustee nominee has also been raised.
In the lead-up to the strike, AISBISF has outlined a phased programme of action throughout May 2026. Key actions include lunchtime demonstrations, press conferences, social media campaigns, a silent sit-in, a dharna, submission of memoranda to Members of Parliament, the Finance Minister, and the Prime Minister, and candle march processions ahead of the two-day strike.
AISBISF General Secretary L. Chandrasekhar said: “Despite sustained efforts over two years, these issues remain unresolved. The federation has therefore decided to undertake a series of agitational programmes, culminating in strike action, to secure resolution of these genuine concerns.”
UNI Asia & Pacific Regional Secretary Rajendra Acharya said: “AISBISF has acted responsibly by giving advance notice and setting out a phased programme of action before the strike. The issues raised by the union are reasonable and justified, covering staffing, fair wages, social protection, governance, and ethical banking practices. UNI Asia & Pacific stands in full solidarity with AISBISF and calls on the management of the State Bank of India to engage constructively with the union and urgently work towards a fair and satisfactory resolution of all 16 concerns.”
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Norman Mampane (Shopsteward Editor)
Congress of South African Trade Unions
110 Jorissen Cnr Simmonds Street, Braamfontein, 2017
P.O.Box 1019, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa
Tel: +27 11 339-4911 Direct line: 010 219-1348