Taking COSATU Today Forward Special Bulletin, 16 April 2026 #CosatuMayDay2026
Norman Mampane
|
COSATU TODAY COSATU Call Center Contacts: 010 002 2590 #COSATU National May Day will be celebrated at Polokwane, Limpopo on May 1 #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
16 April 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!
- Media accreditation for COSATU May Day celebrations officially open
- South Africa
- COSATU appalled by reports of malfeasance at ETDP SETA
- President Cyril Ramaphosa: 2026 National Local Economic Development Summit
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- COSATU congratulates President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) for being awarded the Arthur Svenson International Prize for Trade Union Rights in 2026
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics #ClassWar
Media accreditation for COSATU May Day celebrations officially open
Zanele Sabela, COSATU Spokesperson, 08 April 2026
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has officially opened media accreditation applications for Workers’ Day celebrations on 1 May 2026. The Federation will continue with its tradition of hosting celebrations across the country, with the national rally to be held at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
The President of COSATU, Zingiswa Losi will deliver the keynote address, with messages of support from leaders of Alliance Partners: the African National Congress (ANC), South African Communist Party (SACP) and South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO).
COSATU National Office bearers will lead provincial commemorations, alongside leaders of affiliated trade unions and members of the Federation’s Central Executive Committee (CEC).
Applications to cover the national rally may be submitted to mam...@cosatu.org.za or non...@cosatu.org.za.
Alternatively, an application form can be completed via this link:
Media accreditation for COSATU May Day celebrations officially open – Fill out form
Applications to cover provincial rallies can be sent to the following contacts:
1. Western Cape- Mbekweni Sport Stadium (Paarl) at 10:00
Malvern de Bruyn 060 977 9027 or Cleopatra Kakaza 072 312 6822
2. Gauteng - Tsakane Stadium (Brakpan) at 10:00
Louisa Modikwe 082 297 2659 or Itumeleng Moloantoa 071 873 5238
3. Free State- Bultfontein Stadium (Bultfontein) at 10:00
Tiisetso Mahlatsi on 077 607 3012 or Mongezi Mbelwane on 072 308 7658
4. KwaZulu Natal Curries Fountain Stadium (Durban) at 10:00
Edwin Mkhize 082 339 7756 or Khaliphile Cotoza 082 339 5760
5. Mpumalanga- Kamagugu Stadium (Mbombela) at 10:00
Thabo Mokoena 082 799 5699 or James Mahlabane 064 753 9055
6. Northern Cape- Open Air Arena (Galeshewe) at 10:00
Thandi Makapela 079 481 9077
7. North West- Olympia Stadium (Rustenburg) at 10:00
Kabelo Kgoro 067 410 4696
8. Eastern Cape - Nangoa Jebe Hall – Gqeberha, Orient Theatre (kuGompo) – Buffalo City, Tobi Kula Indoor Sports Centre (Komani) and Lusikisiki College Great Hall at 10:00
Mkhawuleli Maleki 082 339 5482
Issued by COSATU
Zanele Sabela (COSATU Spokesperson)
Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639
Email: zan...@cosatu.org.za
South Africa #ClassSolidarity
COSATU appalled by reports of malfeasance at ETDP SETA
Nonzuzo Dlamini, COSATU Communication Officer, 16 April 2026
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is deeply concerned by the troubling revelations at the Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA). The SETA is at the centre of a dubious lease agreement, which is now under forensic investigation.
This involves a bidding process for head office space to accommodate employees from July 2024 to March 2030. The over R50 million rand contract in question was allegedly signed and awarded to a service provider despite security and environmental concerns pointed out by internal structures. The building located in Marshalltown Johannesburg posed significant risk to the safety of personnel and lacked sustainability. Notwithstanding the harrowing non-compliance, the SETA continued to pay over R690,000 monthly for roughly two years, amounting to over R15 million rand, while personnel worked from home, resulting in fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
Even more worrying are the latest reports fingering former CEO, Nombulelo Nxesi, as the one who made the final decision to award the dubious contract – the document bears her signature. This is gravely concerning as it alludes to the fish rotting from the head.
Such disturbing governance practices go against the objective of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) which are funded by the state through taxpayer’s money. The entities are key to bridging the gap between the unacceptable high levels of unemployment and the economy.
COSATU supports its affiliate, the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU), in calling for the protection of public funds meant for the upskilling of workers and restoring the credibility and integrity of the national skills development system.
This is in line with the core principles of the Federation, denouncing all forms of corruption at government entities.
Whilst the Federation appreciates the Minister of Higher Education and Training’s swift response to initial media reports, followed by the law enforcement agencies, we trust that investigations will be expedited to get to the bottom of the allegations and lead to consequential action against the senior executives who are alleged to be implicated in the matter.
Issued by COSATU
_______________________
President Cyril Ramaphosa: 2026 National Local Economic Development Summit
15 Apr 2026
Keynote address by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the 2026 National Local Economic Development Summit, Birchwood Conference Centre, Ekurhuleni
Programme
Director,
Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Stella Ndabeni,
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Velenkosini Hlabisa,
Acting Premier of Gauteng, Ms Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
MECs,
President of the South African Local Government Association, Cllr Bheke Stofile,
Chairperson of the National House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders, Kgosi Thabo Seatlholo,
Executive Mayors, Councillors and local economic development practitioners,
Representatives of development finance institutions,
Representatives of business, academia and civil society,
Representatives of the SMME sector,
Officials,
Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure to attend this crucial summit on re-engineering local economies with small business growth at the centre.
This summit is taking place two weeks after we held a successful sixth South Africa Investment Conference, where we were able to showcase the many opportunities for investment in our country.
The conference secured a record R890 billion in investment pledges across all provinces.
When investors build their business in our country, they don’t set up factories or open call centres on the lawns of the Union Buildings or in front of the Houses of Parliament.
This investment takes place in metros, cities, towns and villages.
Just as local government is the engine room of development, metro, district and local municipalities must see themselves as incubators of economic activity.
When an entrepreneurship culture is strong and supported in cities and towns, it contributes to job creation and small business development.
South Africa has a burgeoning entrepreneurial sector that continues to increase its contribution to economic activity and job creation.
Yet the entrepreneurship ecosystem as a whole still faces challenges with funding, skills training, bureaucratic barriers and integration into larger value chains.
It also faces challenges within local government that constrain economic opportunity and potential.
The Auditor-General’s report on local government highlights persistent weaknesses that directly undermine service delivery and constrain local economic development.
These include weak financial management and revenue collection, failure to maintain infrastructure, ineffective supply chain management, irregular and wasteful expenditure and weak consequence management.
These challenges translate into unreliable electricity, water insecurity, poor roads, poor service delivery and unsafe trading environments.
Without fixing governance, we cannot fix service delivery and without fixing service delivery, we cannot unlock local economic development.
The task of this summit is to shift the discussion from the problems to the solutions.
As my contribution to the deliberations of the summit, there are four sets of actions that I would like to put forward.
The first of these is to unblock service delivery constraints at local government level, especially with regards to basic infrastructure.
Energy security, water provision, roads and rail lines are the foundation of growth.
We have made much progress in tackling load shedding and improving the efficiency of our logistics sector.
This summit must now translate national progress into local success.
Municipalities must be the frontline in unblocking infrastructure constraints, ensuring that the local industrial park has the power it needs, that tourists can enjoy clean and safe beaches, and that township businesses have streetlighting to trade safely beyond daylight hours.
It is a major concern that we have not adequately prioritised infrastructure maintenance.
National Treasury Guidelines require municipalities to budget 8 percent of the carrying value of property, plant and equipment.
Many municipalities are budgeting less than 1 percent.
To correct this, we need to improve debt collection and revenue management systems. We need to leverage private investment for infrastructure.
The second set of actions I would like to see emerge from this summit revolve around the ease of doing business.
Cutting red tape is crucial both to attract large scale investments and also to enable informal traders and small township entrepreneurs to succeed.
Some of our cities and municipalities have done well in improving the ease of doing business.
They have systems and targets for zoning approvals, issuing construction permits, connecting businesses with water and electricity, issuing trading and business licenses, including using e-registration systems. There is regulatory certainty.
However I worry that these municipalities are the exception rather than the rule.
More often than not, bureaucratic delays at municipal level prevent local investments from getting over the line.
There are backlogs in issuing business licenses, which, among other things, prevent micro enterprises accessing government support.
This must change.
As we finalise the Business Licencing Bill and roll-out the Red Tape Reduction Framework, we call on local government to drive its own red-tape reduction reforms.
We would also like to see continuous engagement with local business associations and forums, so that we may understand their frustrations and address their concerns.
Investment will always gravitate towards municipalities that make it easy to do business.
The third set of actions I would propose focus on what could be called the Operating System of Growth.
For too long, local economic development has been treated as an isolated municipal project function.
But economic growth is an outcome of a functioning operating system.
Our municipalities contribute most effectively to growth not through isolated grants or projects, but through reliable basic services and predictable infrastructure maintenance.
They contribute through transparent and time-bound development approvals and effective urban management.
Municipalities contribute to growth by using procurement and ensuring supplier payment discipline to support local small businesses.
This summit seeks to reposition the municipal contribution to growth as an operating system outcome, not a project function.
To achieve this, we are formalising the District Development Model’s One Plan as a binding economic transformation compact.
These compacts will be implemented through specific Area Compacts targeting priority nodes and corridors with sequenced investment in transport, bulk services, and enabling business infrastructure.
These DDM One Plans need to clearly articulate local growth drivers and how these can be supported, aligned to our country’s broader industrial policy.
Functional economic regions do not stop at municipal boundaries.
We need to shift from competition between neighbours to structured regional economic partnerships.
These will align the planning pipelines of state-owned companies and national departments with local priorities.
These regional economic partnerships must consider how small enterprise, township and village economies can be better integrated into markets and value chains.
This must include the broader African market, which we are unlocking through the African Continental Free Trade Area
We need to build regional eco-systems where government, universities, incubators, traditional leaders and the private sector all work together to unlock local growth drivers.
The fourth and final set of actions that I suggest be reflected in the summit outcomes deal with the critical question of capacity.
Specifically, how do we equip local government and communities to fully realise these coordinated plans.
The answer lies in professionalising our municipalities and ensuring that our governance structures are capable, accountable and inclusive.
We must professionalise the local economic development function.
Appointments must be made based on merit, relevant skills, experience and qualifications, while holding people to strong ethical standards.
The scale of the challenge before us requires a national compact for Local Economic Development.
All stakeholders have a role to play.
For state-owned entities, this means that their infrastructure investments must drive local economic participation. When infrastructure is built, we must see local suppliers, local contractors and local jobs.
Our development finance institutions must help to de-risk municipal infrastructure and develop blended finance solutions that turn plans into bankable projects, and projects into delivery.
We need a stronger compact with the financial sector to expand MSME financing, especially in townships and rural areas.
We call on established businesses to partner with municipalities, develop local suppliers, invest in skills and open value chains.
We must leave this summit with a programme of action that binds us to clear deliverables and timelines.
We must ensure that the collaborative blueprint we draft here over the next two days contributes to a new reality for every South African, for every business, in every municipality, in every corner of our land.
South Africa is a country of entrepreneurs.
Our task is to unleash their potential and, in so doing, to build an inclusive economy that creates opportunities for all.
I thank you.
Issued by The Presidency
International-Solidarity
COSATU congratulates President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) for being awarded the Arthur Svenson International Prize for Trade Union Rights in 2026
Bongani Masuku, COSATU International Secretary, 16 April 2026
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) wish to express profound congratulations to the President of our sister federation and ally, the Nigeran Labour Congress (NLC), Cde Joe Ajaero for being awarded the Arthur Svenson International Prize for trade union rights for 2026.
COSATU is proud of the achievement conferred on the workers of Nigeria, who are leading protracted battles for decent work, democratic rights, inclusive development and social justice.
COSATU enjoys a special relationship with the NLC, with whom we are part of the Africa Quadilateral Forum together with Ghana TUC and COTU Kenya. The forum has grown to include Algeria, Senegal and Tunisia who are historically francophone Africa unions.
The Forum builds solidarity, strategic policy work and campaigns coordination between our unions on key continental issues affecting workers to advance decent work, job creation, industrialisation, social justice and inclusive growth.
To this end, we have together supported the mass mobilisations and working-class struggles led by the NLC in Nigeria, in which President Ajaero has been decisively at the forefront.
COSATU organised petitions and pickets demanding the release of Cde Ajaero during his harassment and persecution, including denying him a visa to attend the Congress of the British TUC Congress in the UK.
The African trade union movement regards the award as an honour and fitting tribute to the trade union movement on the continent and the struggles it is involved in.
It recognises the struggles of workers in various parts of the continent, who are fighting inhumane working conditions, undemocratic regimes, child labour, gender and women abuse and very poor incomes.
To this end, the award is a necessary inspiration and call to intensify workers struggles for a better, democratic, peaceful and just Africa.
Issued by COSATU
______________________________
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