Taking COSATU Today Forward Special Bulletin, 14 May 2026
Norman Mampane
|
COSATU TODAY COSATU Call Center Contacts: 010 002 2590 Tomorrow, it’s #CosatuRedFridays #ClassSolidarity #ClassWar #Cosatu40 #SACTU70 #ClassStruggle “Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism” #Back2Basics #JoinCOSATUNow #ClassConsciousness |
Taking COSATU Today Forward Special Bulletin
‘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
14 May 2026
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
Organize at every workplace and demand respect for labour rights Now!
Defend Jobs Now!
Join COSATU NOW!
Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- POPCRU congratulates Cde Sylvia Mlotha for outstanding academic excellence
- National Treasury releases Municipal Finance Management Act compliance report 2024/25
- South Africa
Ø COSATU Mpumalanga expresses deep concern over rising unemployment and retrenchments
- SADTU Free State condemns the abrupt stoppage of LTSM Allocations to Schools in Free State
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- MENA youth take their seat at the table
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics #ClassWar
POPCRU congratulates Cde Sylvia Mlotha for outstanding academic excellence
Richard Mamabolo, POPCRU National Spokesperson, 14 May 2026
POPCRU proudly congratulates Cde Sylvia Mlotha, the union’s Mpumalanga Gender Coordinator, for her exceptional academic achievement after completing the Women Development Programme with the class of 2023–2025.
Cde Mlotha has earned a place on the University of the Western Cape Dean’s List as one of the top achievers in the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences (EMS) for an Advanced Diploma in Public Management 2025, where she obtained an outstanding five distinctions out of six modules.
This remarkable achievement follows her earlier academic success in 2024, where she obtained seven distinctions out of nine modules in the Higher Certificate in Economic Development.
She has further been recognised as the overall top achiever under the Fair Share School of Governance at the University of the Western Cape, and was honoured during an awards ceremony held on 13 May 2026.
As POPCRU, we regard this achievement as more than just an individual milestone. It is a clear demonstration that education pays off, and that when workers are empowered with knowledge, they become better leaders, organisers, negotiators, administrators, and agents of social transformation.
The continued educational advancement of our members strengthens the intellectual capacity of our union and equips our leadership collective with the necessary skills to confront the complex challenges facing workers today. In an ever-changing environment characterised by economic uncertainty, austerity, technological developments, policy shifts, and attacks on collective bargaining, the education of workers becomes not a luxury, but a strategic necessity.
POPCRU has consistently maintained that the empowerment of workers must not only be limited to workplace struggles, but must also include academic development, political education, leadership training, and professional growth. It is for this reason that the union continues to invest in programmes aimed at developing conscious, capable, ethical, and disciplined leaders who can advance the interests of workers and society as a whole.
The achievements of cadres such as Cde Sylvia Mlotha affirm the correctness of POPCRU’s long-standing commitment towards education and development. These accomplishments inspire the broader membership, particularly young workers and women within our structures, to pursue education with determination and discipline.
As a union, we firmly believe that an educated membership is fundamental to building a stronger, more resilient, and future-oriented organisation. The knowledge and expertise acquired by our members through such programmes will greatly benefit POPCRU in strengthening governance, policy engagement, organisational administration, gender advocacy, and community leadership in the years ahead.
Cde Sylvia Mlotha continues to inspire many workers across the country by proving that education remains a powerful tool in building capable, conscious, and transformative leadership.
POPCRU once again congratulates her for this outstanding achievement and for continuing to make education fashionable while flying the union’s flag high.
Aluta Continua!
__________________________
National Treasury releases Municipal Finance Management Act compliance report 2024/25
13 May 2026
National Treasury today releases the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) compliance report for the 2024/25 year. The report assesses the compliance of municipalities with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).
Sections of the MFMA requires the National Treasury, in conjunction with Provincial Treasuries (PTs), to monitor and assess compliance by municipalities with the provisions of the Act. To give effect to this legislative responsibility in the Act, the National Treasury has compiled and issued a report titled “Strengthening Municipal Financial Management, MFMA Compliance Report” which provides the consolidated status of MFMA compliance and implementation by municipalities for the 2024/2025 financial year (01 July 2024 to 30 June 2025). The report is based on information submitted by municipalities through National Treasury’s compliance monitoring systems.
Key highlights reflected in the report include the following:
127 municipalities (49%) have systems of delegations (SODs) in place in the 2024/2025 financial year, signed by both the delegator and delegate, which is a decrease from 130 municipalities in 2023/2024. SODs are crucial for maintaining good governance, financial accountability, and effective service delivery.
84% (82% in 2023/2024) of the critical senior management positions were filled. The highest number of vacancies nationally pertained to the positions of Chief Risk Officers, Chief Audit Executives and Chief Financial Officers.
Non-compliance with SCM regulations remains a challenge in municipalities. Municipalities either fail to update their SCM policies to ensure compliance with the latest regulations or have not developed them at all. Although municipalities are required to review their SCM processes and implement corrective measures to resolve issues identified by the AGSA in audits, many fail to do so effectively. This has resulted in recurring irregularities, including irregular and wasteful expenditures.
The national Unauthorised Irregular Fruitless and Wasteful Expenditure (UIFWE) balance increased from R264.10 billion in 2023/2024 to R268.13 billion in 2024/2025, driven by systemic failures in internal controls and weak consequence management. Irregular expenditure remains the most significant contributor to the UIFWE balances, reflecting widespread non-compliance with procurement and financial regulations. Many municipalities lack robust systems to ensure the timely implementation of council resolutions on the recoverability or write-off of UIFWE. National Treasury has also observed high levels of write-offs rather than recoveries of the UIFWE across municipalities, which is indicative of the failure by municipalities to hold individuals accountable for financial misconduct.
The number of municipalities across the country with established disciplinary boards increased to 178 municipalities in the 2024/2025 financial year, as required by the Municipal Regulations on Financial Misconduct Procedures and Criminal Proceedings. However, of concern is the decline in the reporting of financial misconduct allegations in municipalities, the number of financial misconduct cases investigated and the number of officials whom disciplinary actions were taken against in relation to financial misconducts. The regressions may be an indication of various negative factors including delays in instituting and or in proceeding with disciplinary cases, weak enforcement of policies within municipalities and possibly a lack of understanding of disciplinary processes by municipalities.
The number of municipalities with updated cost containment policies increased from 161 municipalities in 2023/2024 to 170 municipalities in 2024/2025. Municipalities collectively achieved R5.06 billion in cost containment savings during 2024/2025, primarily through reductions in consultancy and other related expenditure. However, overspending on overtime poses a significant fiscal risk and highlights weaknesses in payroll management and internal controls There are still a significant number of municipalities that are heavily reliant on consultants, particularly in the areas of asset management, AFS preparation, audit support and estimates of landfill site provisions.
Further information relating to the implementation of the Asset Management function, the development and implementation of Audit Action Plans, existence and functionality of Internal Audit units, existence and functionality of Audit Committees and the submission of Annual Financial Statements (AFS) are also contained in the report. The report is available on the National Treasury’s website.
Notes to editors:
The primary source of the data in this report was extracted from the Muni eMonitor and Audit Action Plan system based on information submitted directly by municipalities on the system. Municipalities were requested to verify the data before submission; however, the data is based on pre-audited information. The data submitted in the report is still subject to audit by the Auditor General of South Africa and information may differ in comparison to actual audited results. Therefore, any queries on the data contained in the report should be referred to the relevant municipality.
Page 8 of the report contains further information relating to the limitations of the reported data.
Enquiries:
E-mail: Me...@treasury.gov.za
Issued by National Treasury
South Africa #ClassSolidarity
COSATU Mpumalanga expresses deep concern over rising unemployment and retrenchments
Thabo Mokoena COSATU Mpumalanga Provincial Secretary, 14 May 2026
The Congress of South African Trade Unions in Mpumalanga expresses its profound disappointment, anger, and disgust at the alarming levels of unemployment and retrenchments revealed by the recent labour force survey. The report paints a painful picture of the socio-economic crisis confronting workers and communities across our province, with Mpumalanga ranking amongst the hardest-hit provinces, having recorded more than 40 000 job losses during the period under review.
These figures are not just statistics; they represent shattered livelihoods, struggling families, growing poverty, rising inequality, and increasing hopelessness amongst the working class and the youth. The continued loss of jobs in both the public and private sectors is unacceptable and requires urgent intervention from all stakeholders.
COSATU Mpumalanga calls upon government, business, labour, and all social partners to urgently convene and develop concrete, practical, and implementable solutions aimed at preventing further job losses and rebuilding the economy in a manner that prioritises workers and communities.
We specifically call for:
- The urgent creation of decent and sustainable jobs across all sectors of the economy.
- The expansion of on-the-job training programmes, internships, apprenticeships, and youth employment initiatives.
- The immediate filling of all vacant substantive posts in government departments, municipalities, state-owned entities, and public institutions.
- Increased investment in local economic development and industrialisation initiatives that can absorb unemployed youth and workers.
- Stronger protection of workers against unfair retrenchments and exploitative labour practices.
- The elimination of outsourcing and the abuse of subcontracting systems that undermine workers’ rights, wages, job security, and dignity.
COSATU remains firm in its belief that the economy must serve the people and not profits alone. We therefore advocate for a developmental, ethical, and interventionist state capable of driving inclusive growth, job creation, social justice, and a better life for all.
We further urge both government and the private sector to place the interests of workers and communities at the centre of economic planning and decision-making processes. South Africa cannot overcome poverty, crime, and inequality while unemployment continues to rise at such devastating levels.
COSATU Mpumalanga will continue to engage all relevant stakeholders and mobilise workers and communities in defence of jobs, decent work, and economic justice.
Issued by: COSATU Mpumalanga
____________________
SADTU Free State condemns the abrupt stoppage of LTSM Allocations to Schools in Free State
Mokholoane Moloi, SADTU Free State Provincial Secretary, 14 May 2026
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) in the Free State notes with grave concern the sudden halt of allocation of Learning and Teaching Support Material (LTSM) to schools across the province.
The Learning and Teaching Support Material (LTSM) including textbooks, stationery, and other essential resources forms the backbone of quality teaching and learning. The abrupt stoppage has immediate and far-reaching consequences for learners, educators, and the broader schooling community.
The stoppage undermines constitutional and legislative obligations to provide learners with access to basic education as enshrined in Section 29 of the Constitution. It furthermore undermines the Section 14 of Bela Act 32 of 2024 which indicates that the “HOD may, in consultation with the Governing Body, centrally procure identified learning and teaching support material for public schools on the basis of efficient, effective and economic utilisation of public fund or uniform norms and standards”. In this case the Governing Bodies were not consulted when such a decision was taken.
Whilst noting the Department’s communique issued to schools on 12/05/2026 and to schools previously, we hold a view that the department should not use a blanket approach in dealing with issues of non-compliance. The decision by the department of education has crippled schools that have huge debts to settle after service providers would have delivered and now waiting for payments.
We call for the immediate restoration of funds considering that schools have long budgeted for these line items in their indicative budgets.
The Union remains committed to quality teaching and learning, hence the call for an urgent meeting with both the MEC and HOD.
ISSUED by SADTU Provincial Secretariat
International-Solidarity
MENA youth take their seat at the table
13 May, 2026
Young trade unionists across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions have formally established the MENA regional youth committee, marking a significant step forward in building youth leadership within the industrial trade union movement.
The committee was founded following ten working sessions held remotely between February and May 2026. These sessions brought together representatives of the MENA youth network, affiliate leaders from across the region and members of IndustriALL secretariat and Regional Executive Committee. On 5 May 2026, the committee elected its founding leadership. There are eight members, including at least four women, drawn equally from MENA.
The committee’s establishment builds on more than a decade of youth organizing in the region. Since 2014, IndustriALL has worked with MENA affiliates to build the capacity of young workers. It established the MENA youth network and a series of national youth networks. In 2016, they held the region’s first youth conference. They launched a five-year empowerment project between 2018 and 2022.
The move from network to formal committee marks a deliberate shift in ambition from participation to leadership. The goal is to move away from tokenistic youth inclusion toward youth readiness. It aims to equip young workers in industrial sectors, multinational companies and global supply chains to genuinely influence decision-making.
Young workers in the MENA region face a complex set of pressures: precarious employment, high unemployment, accelerating digital and climate transformations, industrial automation and the challenges of the energy transition. All this takes place against a backdrop of limited youth representation in trade union structures.
The IndustriALL 4th Congress, held in Sydney in November 2025, created new institutional space for youth leadership. The Congress adopted statutory amendments to strengthen youth integration across IndustriALL governing bodies. It set a target of 30 per cent youth representation at all levels and activities. Additionally, it provided for the establishment of a global youth committee with regional committees feeding into it. The MENA committee’s two co-chairs automatically become members of that global body.
The committee is co-chaired by Sihame Elmazini of Morocco, youth and women’s coordinator at the Syndicat Nationale des Industries de la Métallurgie et Electromécanique (SNIME-CDT). Its other co-chair is Amjad Shehab of Iraq, president of the Basra Branch of the Iraqi General Federation of Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Unions (IGFOGPU).
The committee’s mandate includes strengthening union organizing among young workers. It also includes supporting affiliates to establish their own internal youth structures and developing training and mentoring strategies that keep pace with technological change and the shifting demands of the labour market.
The committee is not conceived as a standalone youth space but as a pathway into the wider movement. It aims to build a generation of young trade unionists capable of taking on leadership roles at local, national, regional and international levels. Moreover, it seeks to ensure intergenerational continuity within trade union work.
“Experience has shown that, despite the challenges, young trade unionists in the region are capable of taking on responsibility. The regional youth committee is a new initiative designed to support young people’s causes and utilize their energy and enthusiasm in trade union work,”
says Ahmed Kamel IndustriALL MENA regional secretary.
Organizing for a just future
The establishment of the MENA regional youth committee reflects IndustriALL’s broader commitment, affirmed at the 4thCongress, to the systematic integration of young people within its governing bodies and day-to-day activities. Young workers are not simply the future of the labour movement. Instead, they are active agents of change within it today.
By involving young people, the movement ensures the continuity of trade union work. Additionally, it builds a stronger, more socially just future for workers across the region.
“This committee is about more than representation. It is about building a generation of young workers who are equipped, confident and ready to lead. IndustriALL is committed to ensuring that young trade unionists in the MENA region have the structure and support to drive real change in their workplaces, their unions and across the movement,” says Christina Olivier IndustriALL assistant general secretary.
______________________________
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