Taking COSATU Today Forward, 25 March 2026 #CosatuGenderConference2026
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY COSATU Call Center Contacts: 010 002 2590 #CosatuNationalGenderConference scheduled to commence tomorrow, at Benoni #GenderTransformativeChange#GenderStruggle #ClassWar #Cosatu40 #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
25 March 2026
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- COSATU National Gender Elective Conference
- South Africa
- Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi condemns killing of lawyer in Johannesburg CBD
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Statement on attacks on Iranian Natanz nuclear facility
- WFTU salutes the arrival of the International Solidarity Convoy to Cuba
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
COSATU National Gender Elective Conference
Zanele Sabela, COSATU Spokesperson, 17 March 2026
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is set to convene its 2nd National Gender Elective Conference from 26 to 27 March as part of the organisation’s three-year accountability cycle.
The Gender Office Bearers and Gender Structure will report on the implementation of resolutions and programmes adopted at the Gender Conference in 2022. The Conference takes place at a time of sharpened gender inequalities in the workplace and in society, particularly for women workers, workers with disabilities and LGBTQI+ workers.
The conference will deliberate on the following:
- GBV and sexual harassment, including the implementation of the International Labour Organisation’s Convention 190 and Recommendation 206, which relate to the elimination of violence (including GBV) and harassment in the workplace.
- Care Economy and Care Workers’ Rights
- Gender and climate change: Examining the impact on workers with disabilities.
- Engendering collective bargaining, in particular advancing parental rights and maternity protection.
- Ensuring implementation of COSATU’s gender policies and organisational power.
Alliance partners, ANC Women’s League, SACP and SANCO will deliver messages of support.
The conference will also elect National Gender Office Bearers who will assume responsibility to ensure that the Federation’s work of striving for gender equality is taken forward.
The details of the National Gender Elective Conference are as follows:
•
Date: 26
& 27 March
• Time: 9am
• Venue: Anew Hotel, OR Tambo, 1 Country St, Lakefield, Benoni.
All members of the media are invited to the conference.
RSVP to mam...@cosatu.org.za or non...@cosatu.org.za
Issued by COSATU
Zanele Sabela (COSATU Spokesperson)
Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639
Email: zan...@cosatu.org.za
South Africa #ClassSolidarity
Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi condemns killing of lawyer in Johannesburg CBD
24 Mar 2026
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has learned with shock of the killing of a lawyer in the Johannesburg CBD and strongly condemns this act of violence.
According to reports, the deceased was a legal practitioner attached to Sibanye-Stillwater’s legal team, who was shot and killed on Monday, 23 March 2026, near the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) offices at the corner of Fox and Joubert Streets.
The victim was reportedly involved in a labour dispute on behalf of the company at the time of her death.
The South African Police Service has launched an investigation, and no arrests have been made at this stage.
Minister Kubayi emphasised that violence can never be accepted as a means of resolving disputes and reiterated the importance of upholding the rule of law.
“The justice system exists to provide lawful, fair, and structured mechanisms for resolving disputes. We urge all individuals and parties to reject violence and place their trust in legal processes and institutions,” said Minister Kubayi.
The Minister further stated that violence against any person will not be tolerated, particularly when it targets members of the legal profession and results in loss of life.
“An attack of this nature undermines the rule of law and threatens the very foundation of our constitutional democracy. Legal practitioners play a critical role in ensuring access to justice, and their safety must be safeguarded at all times,” added the Minister.
The Minister noted that investigations are ongoing and called on law enforcement agencies to act swiftly and decisively to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice, in line with due process.
Minister Kubayi extended her sincere condolences to the family of the deceased, as well as to her colleagues in the legal fraternity and all those affected by this tragic incident.
Enquiries:
Spokesperson to the Minister
Terrence Manase
Cell: 082 338 6707
Issued by Department of Justice and Constitutional Development
International-Solidarity
Statement on attacks on Iranian Natanz nuclear facility
Mbulelo Mandlana, SACP Head of Media, Communications and Information, 24 March 2026
The South African Communist Party (SACP) condemns that attack on the Iranian Natanz nuclear facility by the imperialist US and apartheid Israel regimes. The attack on the Natanz nuclear facility is in contravention of international law.
Despite Iranian submission to periodic international inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency and there being no evidence that Iran is involved in proliferation of nuclear weapons in contravention of relevant international agreements and international law, the US and Israeli governments have consistently harassed Iran as it carries out its civilian nuclear enrichment programme through direct military strikes and other political manoeuvres to eliminate Iran’s civilian nuclear programme.
Even in the context of the ongoing military aggression towards Iran by the imperialist axis of the US and apartheid Israel, the violation of Iran’s right to develop its nuclear capabilities for civilian use has been violated through these attacks.
As the SACP, we condemn these attacks on Iran and continue to call for solidarity with Iran as it continues to defend itself against the imperialist aggression.
ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN COMMUNIST PARTY
FOUNDED IN 1921 AS THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF SOUTH AFRICA.
Media, Communications & Information Department | MCID
______________________
WFTU salutes the arrival of the International Solidarity Convoy to Cuba
WFTU HQ, 21 Mar 2026
The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) warmly salutes the arrival of the international solidarity convoy in Cuba on March 17, an important initiative involving solidarity organizations and associations from several European countries, delivering essential supplies such as medicines, medical equipment, food, and renewable energy systems.
The WFTU also salutes the upcoming arrival of a second solidarity convoy from Latin American countries, expected to reach Cuba on March 21, further strengthening the internationalist support for the Cuban people.
These initiatives constitute a concrete expression of international solidarity with the Cuban people, who continue to face the severe consequences of the long-standing economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States.
At a time when the intensification of the blockade is creating serious difficulties in energy supply, healthcare, and overall social life, such actions demonstrate practice that the peoples and the class-oriented trade union movement stand firmly on the side of Cuba.
Solidarity today cannot be limited to statements. It requires tangible, material, and organized support so that the Cuban people can confront the hardships caused by escalating US aggression.
In this context, the WFTU recalls its decision to organize an International Week of Action in Solidarity with Cuba from April 6 to 12, calling on:
· All WFTU affiliates and friends to organize mobilizations, events, and solidarity actions in every country
· To strengthen the campaign for the collection of funds, medicines, and other essential materials
· To ensure that the message of internationalist class solidarity reaches every workplace
The collected resources and materials will be channeled through the CTC of Cuba to directly support workers affected by shortages in electricity and fuel.
The WFTU expresses its unwavering solidarity with the Cuban people and working class, who continue their struggle with dignity and determination.
Hands off Cuba!
Cuba is not alone!
______________________________
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