Taking COSATU Today Forward, 22 January 2025
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #Right2LearnCampaign in full swing across all provinces… #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
22 January 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!
- COSATU has a vacancy of a Provincial Educator/Organiser in the Western Cape – Cape Town
- South Africa
- SADTU Northern Cape Statement on the status of schools in the province
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Gaza: Ceasefire must lead to lasting peace
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
COSATU
has a vacancy of a Provincial Educator/Organiser in the Western Cape – Cape Town
Khanyisile Fakude, COSATU Administrative Secretary and HR, 20 January 2025
The
Provincial Educator/Organiser implement Provincial Education and Organizing Programmes. Compile education inputs, deliver Education Programmes either discussed in the Province or decided upon head office. Organizing aspects in implementing material campaigns,
organising programmes such as Recruitment, Service Locals and Coordinate Affiliates Organizers/Educators.
Functions include:
• Servicing locals which includes launching and establishing new locals, liaising with the locals on activities and providing advice;
• Conducting and facilitating education for the Affiliates and locals;
• Coordinate campaigns and organizational activities;
• Coordinating subcommittees such as Provincial Educators Forum, Organisers Forum;
• Monitor the implementation of COSATU Programmes in the Province in consultation with the Provincial Secretary;
• Lead campaigns in the Province;
• Assist workers who need advice;
• Do reports and send to the Provincial and Organising Secretary
• Assist the Provincial Secretary where required
• Attend structural meetings relating to Education/Organising;
• Attend and/or facilitate workshops as might be required:
Personal attributes:
• Demonstrate ability to exercise judgement and resolve issues independently;
• Demonstrate ability to forge and maintain productive working relationships, including ability to use influence to support the Federation decisions;
• Well developed communication skills, including the writing of agendas, minutes and correspondence;
• Demonstrate ability to establish and maintain effective and high level organizational coordination skills;
• Demonstrate ability to meet tight deadlines;
Skills required:
• Tertiary qualification
• 5 years’ experience as the Organiser/Educator in unions
• Excellent report writing and editing
• Excellent oral communication and presentation skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Excellent planning and organizational skills
• Valid driver’s license
• Familiar with SA Labour Laws
All applications should be sent on or before the 24 January 2025 with a detailed CV and contactable references to:
The COSATU General Secretary
Email to: khany...@cosatu.org.za
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
SADTU Northern Cape Statement on the status of schools in the province
Palesa Nqumashe, SADTU Northern Cape Provincial Secretary, 22 January 2025
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) in the Northern Cape, is very disturbed and concerned about the status quo in the province and the posture adopted by the Department of Education. The NCDOE has reneged on its commitments made during the meeting on 18 December 2024 where it assured that schools would resume smoothly in January 2025.
The 2025 Academic year started with various challenges, including schools not receiving their Section 21 and National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) allocations, with some schools receiving 27% of the expected allocation.
According to the NCDOE, this allocation was intended to enable schools to purchase LTSM, pay services, and run the schools, which is totally impossible.
This situation is tantamount to a violation of the rights of children as enshrined in the constitution of the Republic of South Africa. The children of the working class and the poor who cannot afford to purchase stationery, have had to start the 2025 academic year without the necessary materials and food as NSNP allocations have not been paid.
We want to refute claims made by the Deputy Minister of Education on national television that all deliveries of LTSM in all provinces stood at 100%. This is far from the actual reality, as the Northern Cape Department of Education delivered mostly workbooks and not stationery. A total of 193 schools are affected by non-payment of Section 21 which has decentralised LTSM and those having stationery is per arrangement with service providers.
We are appalled by reports that, due to lack of funds, some schools are unable to provide meals for learners and hostels will be forced to send learners back home as from next week.
Furthermore, the Department has partially paid pay progression to qualifying education workers, leaving more than 800 members unpaid for what is due to them. The function for appointment of teachers is currently closed, so temporary teachers have not yet been appointed. This situation arises from functions being closed and opened at the discretion of the Treasury.
At this point, as the union in the Northern Cape, we are running out of patience with the authorities entrusted with education in the province. Having expressed our concerns, we will take steps to ensure order is restored and that quality public education is protected.
ISSUED BY: SADTU Northern Cape Secretariat
International-Solidarity
Gaza: Ceasefire must lead to lasting peace
21 January 2025
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) welcomes the ceasefire in Gaza and Israel as a crucial step toward ending violence, safeguarding civilian lives and building a lasting peace.
ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle said: “This ceasefire provides a glimmer of hope after prolonged devastation and tens of thousands of deaths. We call on all parties to fully adhere to the agreement and prioritise the safety and well-being of affected communities.”
Key provisions of the ceasefire include:
The phased release of hostages, beginning with women and children, with negotiations for the release of all remaining hostages.
The phased withdrawal of Israeli forces, accompanied by security arrangements to ensure stability along Gaza’s borders.
A process to allow civilians to return home to northern Gaza, with safeguards to prevent the transfer of weapons into these areas.
An increase in humanitarian aid to address the dire crisis in Gaza.
Luc Triangle continued: “For all the hostages, and their families who have waited so long and suffered such unimaginable pain, this ceasefire must lead to their liberation as soon as possible. We commend the work of Histadrut in supporting the families of the hostages.
“We urge the international community to ensure aid is delivered to the people of Gaza promptly and without obstruction. Key to this is UNRWA – the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in the region. It is more important than ever that its work is well funded by all governments.
“We demand that the labour market is urgently re-opened for all Palestinian workers, and we repeat our call for compensation for those who lost income as their jobs were unilaterally terminated.
“This ceasefire offers a much-needed opportunity to address the immense suffering in Gaza and to pave the way for reconstruction and sustainable peace. The reconstruction must embed the principles of decent work, quality public services and the involvement of local social partners, as set out in ILO Recommendation 205. We pay tribute to the humanitarian relief work of the PGFTU and stand ready to support our affiliate as it increases this vital effort.
“All sides in this conflict must engage in constructive dialogue, uphold international law, and work towards a two-state solution in line with UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338.
“The ITUC calls for inclusive efforts that respect the dignity and rights of all, and reaffirm our commitment to peace, justice, and the protection of human rights. This ceasefire must serve as a foundation for lasting peace and coexistence.”
______________________________
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