Taking COSATU Today Forward, 19 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
19 May 2026
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- SADTU congratulates KZN Secretary on her appointment as SACE Chairperson
- South Africa
- COSATU applauds SAMATU for holding a successful National Congress
- NEHAWU on the Constitutional Court Judgement on Section 36 and 40 of the National Health Act
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- LGBTI workers’ rights: at the heart of democracy
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics #ClassWar
SADTU congratulates KZN Secretary on her appointment as SACE Chairperson
Nomusa Cembi, SADTU National Media Officer, 19 May 2026
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) extends its warmest congratulations to the Union’s KwaZulu-Natal Secretary, Nomarashiya Caluza on her appointment as the Chairperson of the South African Council for Educators (SACE).
SACE is the statutory professional regulatory body for the teaching profession. It is responsible for the registration of educators, enforcing the code of professional ethics, managing the continuing professional teacher development system, and conducting research on educational matters to advise the minister and contribute towards shaping education policy.
SADTU is proud that one of her own has been entrusted with this important responsibility. The Union always maintain that the voice of teachers must be central in shaping the teaching profession including its professional and ethical standards.
Comrade Caluza is a seasoned education activist, teacher, trade unionist and scholar who has consistently demonstrated commitment to the advancement of quality public education and the professionalisation of educators.
SADTU has full confidence that she will make a meaningful and lasting contribution at SACE and strengthen the Council serve the interests of educators and student teachers. The Union wishes Comrade Caluza success in her new role and assures her of the Union’s unwavering support as she undertakes this important responsibility.
Further, SADTU wishes all newly appointed SACE councillors all the best in their tenure.
South Africa #ClassSolidarity
COSATU applauds SAMATU for holding a successful National Congress
Zanele Sabela, COSATU Spokesperson, 18 May 2026
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) congratulates the newly elected leadership of the South African Medical Association Trade Union (SAMATU).
SAMATU held its 2nd National Elective Congress from 15 to 17 May at Melrose Arch, north of Johannesburg. Dr. Tshilidzi Sadiki emerged as President and made way for Dr. Mthanjiswa Bengeza who has become the union’s Second Deputy President. Dr. Nkateko Mnisi retained her role as First Deputy President and so did National Treasurer, Dr Bruce Malumane, as well as General Secretary Dr. Cedric Sihlangu.
COSATU commends the new leadership collective and wishes them the best for their term of office. The Federation also applauds members of the union on a successful Congress that saw Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi address the doctors on various subjects including the implementation of HR policies such as Occupational Specific Dispensation, the distribution and roll out of the new HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir, and Hanta Virus.
COSATU General Secretary, Solly Phetoe, also addressed delegates and spoke about SAMATU’s Junior Doctors Memorandum to the President. Phetoe asked the pertinent question – why young doctors, trained at great cost to the nation, are sitting at home unemployed while our clinics and hospitals are collapsing due to lack of staff.
SAMATU has been a formidable force consistently raising the plight of doctors and medical students as well as patients, from tackling the crisis of unplaced doctors to the underfunding of healthcare and the skewed resourcing between public and private healthcare facilities.
The union has been principled in its support of the National Health Insurance as the pathway to universal healthcare.
COSATU commits to always support SAMATU in every way possible on the path to advancing its objectives.
Issued by COSATU
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NEHAWU on the Constitutional Court Judgement on Section 36 and 40 of the National Health Act
Zola Saphetha, NEHAWU General Secretary, May 18, 2026
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] notes the Constitutional Court judgement marking Sections 36 and 40 of the National Health Act null and void.
This judgement was preceded by a High Court ruling on 24 July 2024, in which Judge Anthony Miller declared the Certificate of Need, which form part of Section 36 and 40 of National Health Act, unconstitutional.
The Certificate of Need is a regulatory mechanism that sought to ensure that every health establishment, institution, agency or personnel who provide healthcare services require a certificate from the Director-General at the National Department of Health (NDoH) prior to commencing operations. This mechanism also sought to ensure that the uneven geographical spread of private healthcare services is addressed, a product and symptom of the Apartheid legacy two-tiered healthcare system.
These two regulatory principles are indeed a necessity in any developing country, especially one such as ours, characterized by a nonsensical and highly unequal two-tiered healthcare system, with persistent colonial-apartheid geographic, economic and spatial planning. Ensuring that healthcare institutions and professionals are vetted and registered forms a holistic approach to ensure quality of service to our people. This is not some ad-hoc or draconian regulatory mechanism, it is common practice internationally.
In our opinion, and not to disrespect the Constitutional Court ruling, the judgement represents another blow to a struggle for adequate and accessible healthcare in South Africa. The judgement bolsters the coalition of big capital in their attempts to derail the introduction of Universal Health Coverage through the National Health Insurance Act. It also represents a deepening class contradiction of societal representation in power and a lack of genuine understanding of conditions of workers and the poor in this country. It is not a coincidence that that the litigants in this case form part of the very same grouping attacking NHI at various levels of our Judiciary, this is a consolidated front of big capital that will do anything to prevent our people from gaining access to adequate universal health coverage.
Our Constitution enshrines individual liberty but most certainly not to the detriment of the society as a whole. NEHAWU therefore appeals for the legislation to be reformed adequately to pass Constitutional scrutiny and to ensure that the principle behind the Certificate of Need is upheld.
END
Issued by NEHAWU Secretariat.
International-Solidarity
LGBTI workers’ rights: at the heart of democracy
Democracy Equity and inclusion LGBTI+ rights LGBTI+ rights, 18 May 2026 written by: Claire Trevorp lds of Education newsletter.
As EI continues to defend and promote democracy, we must not forget that the fight for LGBTI rights is inseparable from the wider struggle for democracy, it cannot function without the full protection of universal human rights for all workers, without exception.
This year, for the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia ( IDAHOBIT) on May 17th, the Council of Global Unions LGBTI committee reflects on what lies at the heart of Democracy in our annual IDAHOBIT statement. Trade unions built on solidarity play a vital role in protecting the rights of workers who face discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics.
The Council of Global Unions represents over 207 million workers in 163 countries worldwide. The CGU LGBTI Committee is comprised of members from each of the global unions, including affiliate representatives. On our website, LGBTIworkers.org, we publish details of the projects we have carried out as a committee, as well as work carried out by global unions and affiliates at national, regional and international level.
As a queer trade unionist who has worked in the hospitality sector for many years, I understand first-hand the importance of this work, and the difference we can make by empowering LGBTI workers and growing our membership with support from the unions. Educating people on LGBTI rights and trade union rights is key; whether it is students, union members, union officials or workers themselves. Making that important link to show where they intersect is crucial, not only to the trade unions but to LGBTI workers themselves. LGBTI workers have always been present, even if they haven’t always been visible. Quite simply, LGBTI rights are workers’ rights because LGBTI people are workers and members of our unions, often facing unique challenges in the workplace because of this.
This year, we will build on our existing projects including the training on ILO Convention 190, recognising the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment (including gender-based violence), which gives us the tools to combat violence and harassment against LGBTI workers. We will also continue our webinar series which makes this work accessible to all, inviting workers from all over the world to hear from guest speakers and discuss what global unions are doing to combat anti-LGBTI attacks on the community. We will continue to publish our annual statements for IDAHOBIT on May 17th and the Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20th.
Our new projects include training on how to be an ally to the transgender community. The far right is using transphobic rhetoric in an attempt to dismantle democracies. It is our responsibility as trade unionists to stand together in unity and fight back against attacks on any oppressed workers. We know that an injury to one is an injury to all, if we don’t stand up for the most vulnerable workers, it leaves all of us vulnerable. We aim to include more transgender and non binary workers voices in our projects, ensuring that we are advocating for every letter of the LGBTI+ community.
The Council of Global Unions LGBTI Committee is dedicated to improving the rights of LGBTI workers worldwide, bringing workers together from every global union to share our struggles and successes. By promoting inclusivity, organising collectively, celebrating diversity and engaging in advocacy work, trade unions not only safeguard vulnerable workers but also reinforce democratic values, resist authoritarianism and attempts by reactionary forces to oppress minority groups. Education unions play a key role in the fight for LGBTI rights and quality education for all. We rely on support from the global unions to ensure our important work can continue at this critical moment and the support of Education International has been invaluable to the committee.
As EI remains committed to advocating for equity in society, advancing social justice and challenging all forms of discrimination, we invite affiliates of EI to join us in solidarity by getting involved in this work. As a member of the LGBTI+ community or as an ally, your support is always encouraged and very much needed.
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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