Taking COSATU Today Forward, 10 October 2025 #Cosatu@40 #Cosatu40thAnniversary
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #Cosatu scheduled to hold its 40th Anniversary at Dobsonville, Soweto on December 6 #Cosatu@40 #Cosatu40thAnniversary #SACTU70 #ClassStruggle “Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism” #Back2Basics #JoinCOSATUNow #ClassConsciousness |
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
10 October 2025
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
Organize at every workplace and demand respect for labour rights Now!
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- Compensation Fund urges the Building, Electrical, and Construction Sector in the Western Cape Province to be Compliant with COIDA
- COSATU to host lectures in the lead up to 40th anniversary
- South Africa
- COSATU welcomes €11.5 billion European Union Global Gateway Investment Package in South Africa
- COSATU notes raid of Maumela’s luxury property
- Parliament invites nominations and applications to serve on National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NCGBVF)
- Minister Buti Manamela announces Stabilisation and Governance Support Team for the College of Cape Town
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- IndustriALL welcomes Gaza ceasefire, calls for lasting peace based on justice and rights
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
Compensation Fund urges the Building, Electrical, and Construction Sector in the Western Cape Province to be Compliant with COIDA
9 October 2025
The Department of Employment and Labour’s Compensation Fund (CF) has on, 08 October 2025 hosted a Building, Electrical and Construction Sector Compliance Workshop in Cape Town, Western Cape Province.
The discussions at the workshop were centred around the importance of complying with the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) in the sector.
FEM was represented by Yoemna Bassier, a Claims Manager who gave a message of support and highlighted the services offered by the organisation in relation to COIDA.
Deputy Director: Employer Services, Vusi Maluleke, urged the sector to comply with COIDA and to register their employees. He outlined the Assessment Audit role and processes employed by CF to verify the accuracy of earnings submitted by employers, as well as ensuring that employers pay a fair and correct assessment fee based on actual employees’ earnings. In addition, he highlighted the consequences for failure to comply and that a penalty will be imposed for late submissions of Return on Earnings (ROEs).
Lerato Ramasobane, Deputy Director of COID Services in the Western Cape Province, took attendees through the Compensation Benefits as well as the Medical Benefits. She highlighted some of the reasons for claims rejection and reminded the attendees of employers’ responsibility to register with the Compensation Fund as per Section 80 of the Act.
Ramasobane further emphasised the importance of reporting incidents and accidents on time. “Employers must report accidents and occupational diseases within 7 days and 14 respectively.
Assistant
Director: Vocational Rehabilitation, Luvuyo Fani, told employers to make sure that every workplace has its own Occupational Health and Safety plan to reduce incidents and diseases. She highlighted the role of the employer in embracing rehabilitation, reintegration, return-to-work
work and disability inclusion.
Ramothupi Mabusela, the Super-user from the Compensation Fund, demonstrated to the attendees how to navigate through the CompEasy system when creating a profile to register employees, as well as registering occupational injuries online.The Compensation Fund will continuously engage the Building, Electrical, and Construction sector in ensuring compliance with the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases
Act.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Teboho Thejane
Departmental Spokesperson
082
697 0694/ teboho....@labour.gov.za
-ENDS
Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour
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COSATU to host lectures in the lead up to 40th anniversary
Zanele Sabela, COSATU National Spokesperson, 25 September 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is set the host a series of lectures in the lead up to its 40th anniversary celebration at Dobsonville Stadium on 6 December.
The culmination of four years of unity talks, COSATU came into being on 1 December 1985, and brought together 33 competing unions and federations opposed to apartheid and whose common goal was to bring about a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society.
The Federation has been at the forefront of advancing, defending and protecting the interests and rights of workers since, and has led in the formation of the country’s progressive labour laws including workers’ rights to form trade unions, collective bargaining and to strike, minimum conditions of service, National Minimum Wage, etc.
From its vehement resistance of apartheid to the ushering in of the democratic dispensation and improving the economic and social wellbeing of the working class 31 years post democracy, COSATU has stood the test of time.
In the lead up to its 40th anniversary in December, the Federation will host a variety of activities starting with a series of lectures by its National Office Bearers.
The lectures will tackle diverse subjects from COSATU’s pivotal role in gender struggles to the strike that broke the back of industry-wide exploitative labour practices as far back as 1959.
Province:
Mpumalanga
Date:
16 October
Venue: Ikhethelo Secondary School, Bethal
Topic: Gert Sibande Potato Boycott
Main Speaker: Duncan Luvuno, COSATU 2nd Deputy President
Province:
Northern Cape
Date:
30 October
Topic: COSATU and the Liberation Movement
Main Speaker: Solly Phetoe, COSATU General Secretary
Province:
North-West
Date:
19 November
Topic: Strengthening Industrial Unions to build a militant COSATU
Main Speaker: Duncan Luvuno, COSATU 2nd Deputy President
Province:
Eastern Cape
Date:
20 November
Topic: COSATU and the Reconfiguration of the Alliance
Main Speaker: Mike Shingange, COSATU 1st Deputy President
Province:
Gauteng
Date:
21 November
Topic: COSATU and the Mass Democratic Movement
Main Speaker: Zingiswa Losi, COSATU President
Issued by COSATU
COSATU welcomes €11.5 billion European Union Global Gateway Investment Package in South Africa
Matthew Parks, COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator, 10 October 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) welcomes the €11.5 billion (Rands 229 billion) Global Gateway Investment Package in South Africa announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. This is a welcome boost to our economy, jobs, local businesses, infrastructure, including energy generation capacity.
COSATU appreciates that the package commits to raising European investments in South Africa with approximately R173 billion in a Just Energy Transition, R24 billion in the Just Component, R20 billion in infrastructure and connectivity, and R6 billion in building the pharmaceutical value chain.
These
will be invaluable boosts to local jobs and communities, businesses and value chains. They will be an important investment to boosting our energy generation capacity, reducing carbon emissions and expanding critical economic infrastructure.
Whilst welcoming this progressive announcement by the European Commission and South African government, it is important that these financial commitments be in the form of investments and grants, not loans. South Africa needs to manage our debt trajectory very
carefully and avoid further indebtedness, in particular foreign currency denominated debt that threatens to place us in a dangerous debt trap.
Foreign currency denominated debt needs to be particularly tightly managed given the appreciation of the Euro and other currencies against the Rand and political conditions lenders may attach.
It is equally critical that the various relevant departments, municipalities and State-Owned Enterprises, vigilantly ensure that these funds are used to capacitate Eskom and other critical SOEs and municipalities, as well as support local jobs, communities, businesses (in particular manufacturing) and value chains. They should not be used to merely import jobs and materials.
This Investment Package is a positive vote of confidence in South Africa as the leading industrial economy in the African continent and a strategic partner for the European Union.
It is a welcome boost for the African National Congress led government’s efforts to capacitate the state and its SOEs, stimulate economic growth and create jobs. It is a progressive endorsement of South Africa in a year when we have been subject to endless baseless attacks on social media and other platforms by political vandals at home and abroad.
Issued by COSATU
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COSATU notes raid of Maumela’s luxury property
Zanele Sabela, COSATU National Spokesperson, 10 October 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) notes the raid at Hangwani Maumela’s luxury property in Sandton on Thursday.
Maumela was fingered in the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report into the R2 billion looting spree at Tembisa Hospital. On Thursday, the SIU along with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department descended on Maumela’s three-storey Sandton mansion to seize assets including three Lamborghinis.
The raid was in accordance with court orders obtained by the Asset Forfeiture Unit to seize all of Maumela’s assets, including properties in Sandton, Bantry Bay and Ballito cumulatively worth R320 million. Maumela is alleged to have utilised a web of 41 companies to siphon off R820 million from the health facility in a space of two years.
Marking International Day for Decent Work on 7 October, COSATU picketed outside Tembisa Hospital to express its anger against the grand scale corruption that took place at the hospital meant to provide health services to the poor. Meanwhile dedicated healthcare workers were forced to work without essential medication, equipment and proper infrastructure while funds were being siphoned off to buy Lamborghinis.
The Federation commends the SIU and collaborating law enforcement agencies for the stellar work they continue to do and calls on them to not stop at seizing ill-gotten assets, but to ensure that culprits are prosecuted and imprisoned for a long time.
Issued by COSATU
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Parliament invites nominations and applications to serve on National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NCGBVF)
08 Oct 2025
The Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities invites members of the public from civil society and private sector to apply and organisations/individuals to nominate suitable candidates for appointment to serve on the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide as mandated by the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act, 2024 (No. 9 of 2024). All applicants/nominees will be required to complete an online application, (https://forms.gle/wbUSp9cbN9fmhLQ48 ) on the parliamentary website and/or submit via email (NCGBVF-Ap...@parliament.gov.za ) or submit by hand at the Parliamentary Visitors Centre, 100 Plein Street, Cape Town City Centre, 8000.
Those who wish to apply via email or send applications to the physical address must use the following link to download the application form that must accompany the application: https://tinyurl.com/3kbvw75e
All applicants and nominees are required to upload certified copies (not older than 6 months) of their Identity Documents and academic qualifications.
Shortlisted candidates and their resumes will be published on the Parliamentary website to allow members of the public to comment on the suitability of candidates. Disclosure of personal information of candidates is subject to lawful processing and secure storage. All shortlisted candidates will be subject to pre-employment screening by the State Security Agency and verification of qualifications by the Parliamentary Human Resources. All applications will be in line with Protection of Personal Information Act (No. 4 of 2013), and the Employment Equity Act (No. 55 of 1998).
The President will, on the recommendation of Parliament, appoint a member to the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide for a term of office not exceeding 3 years. Each member of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide holds office for a period not exceeding three years but is eligible for re-appointment for only one additional term, not exceeding three years, and is also eligible for an extension of office for a period not exceeding six months.
Requirements
As per the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act, 2024 (No. 9 of 2024), the candidates must be:
a) be fit and proper persons to hold office;
b) be persons with applicable knowledge and expertise regarding matters that are related to the purpose of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act, 2024 (No. 9 of 2024); and
c) reflect the demographics and geographical spread of South Africa.
In addition to the above requirements, it is important for applicants and organisations/individuals nominating candidates to note the following:
a) The Board is legislatively responsible for the functioning of the Council. In terms of section 3 (read with the sections 4 and 5 related objects and functions), it is the responsibility of the Council to provide strategic leadership and co-ordination in the prevention of, and response to, gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa.
b) The term of office as set out in section 9, along with the fact that members of the Board are not entitled to a salary payment. Section 10 only makes provision for reimbursement and allowances determined by the Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (“the Minister”) in consultation with the Minister of Finance.
Nominations or applications must contain the full name, address/email address and contact details of the person or organisation making nomination, as well as a signed acceptance of the nomination by nominee including the nominator.
Closing date for applications is midnight on 07 November 2025.
Enquiries:
Mr Mvaba Dumezweni, (Committee Secretary)
Cell/whatsapp number: 060 551 0736
E-mail: mdume...@parliament.gov.za
#GovZAUpdates
Issued by Parliament of South Africa
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Minister Buti Manamela announces Stabilisation and Governance Support Team for the College of Cape Town
07 Oct 2025
Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Buti Manamela, is pleased to announce the appointment of a Stabilisation and Governance Support Team (SGST) for the College of Cape Town for TVET, in terms of Section 46(1) of the Continuing Education and Training Act, 16 of 2006.
The SGST has been established to restore institutional stability, rebuild trust in governance, and ensure the continuity of teaching and learning at the critical college following months of tension and management breakdowns.
Minister Manamela reiterated his concerns about leadership and governance conflicts involving the college leadership despite the college’s continued favourable performance in key areas. These include maintaining an unqualified audit opinion, achieving improved student certification rates, and expanding partnerships in digital learning and skills development.
The SGST will be chaired by Advocate J.B. Skosana (SC), supported by Prof. Busani Ngcaweni (governance and policy specialist) and Ms Joyce Nkopane (labour relations expert). The team will be assisted by a DHET-appointed secretariat and technical advisor.
The mandate of the SGST is to:
Conduct an independent fact-finding process into the governance and management challenges at the College
Mediate and facilitate solutions between the Principal, Council, and Deputy Principals
Recommend corrective steps to restore effective governance, improve labour relations, and protect the academic project
The Team will begin its work within the next week and will submit an interim report in 21 days and a final report within 45 days. Pending its report, all new disciplinary processes involving the Principal, Council Chair, and Deputy Principals will remain suspended to prevent further escalation.
“This intervention is not about taking sides, but about restoring order and protecting the right of students to learn in a stable and functional environment. We must focus our collective energies on education, not on internal conflicts,” emphasised Minister Manamela.
The Minister will table the final outcomes of the SGST before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher Education as required under Section 46 of the CET Act.
Enquiries:
Matshepo Seedat
Spokesperson
to the Minister of Higher Education and Training
Cell: 082 679 9473
@HigherEduSpox
#ServiceDeliveryZA
Issued by Department of Higher Education and Training
International-Solidarity
IndustriALL welcomes Gaza ceasefire, calls for lasting peace based on justice and rights
9 October, 2025
IndustriALL Global Union welcomes the ceasefire agreement reached in Gaza between Hamas and Israel as an important and necessary step towards ending the immense human suffering and destruction caused by months of conflict.
The global union movement has repeatedly condemned the devastating toll of the violence — thousands of lives lost, hostages held, families displaced, workplaces destroyed, and entire communities deprived of safety and livelihoods.
“Workers and their families have borne the brunt of this conflict,”
says Atle Høie, IndustriALL general secretary.
“A ceasefire is the first, important step, but it must lead to genuine peace, grounded in justice, international law and respect for human rights. Israeli forces must immediately evacuate all occupied areas, and humanitarian access must be opened without any blockage. We cannot rebuild lives or economies on the ruins of violence.”
IndustriALL calls on all parties to ensure that the ceasefire is fully implemented and accompanied by immediate humanitarian access, protection of civilians, and support for reconstruction efforts that prioritise decent work, equality, and social justice.
The global union federation also urges the international community to intensify diplomatic efforts towards a sustainable political two-state solution in line with UN Security Council Resolutions 338 and 242, based on the 1967 borders and the mutual recognition of the rights of both Palestinians and Israelis to live in peace, self-determination, and dignity.
“Trade unions will continue to stand for peace, democracy and rights and against the exploitation, hatred, and despair that fuel war,” adds Atle Høie.
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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