Taking COSATU Today Forward Special Bulletin, 18 June 2025
Norman Mampane
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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
18 June 2025
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- Media Accreditation Opens for NUM 18th National Elective Congress, 24-26 June 2025
- South Africa
- COSATU Eastern Cape commends the support provided to flood victims in Mthatha and calls for lessons to be drawn from this tragedy
- South African Communist Party Youth Day 2025 Statement
- Statement by Study Group on Communications and Digital Technologies on Postbank, SAPO and ZADNA
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- COSATU calls for a G20 Critical Minerals Framework that prioritises equitable growth
- SACP strongly condemns the apartheid Israeli settler regime's attack on Iran, continued acts of genocide against the Palestinian people
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
Media
Accreditation Opens for NUM 18th National Elective Congress, 24-26 June 2025
Livhuwani
Mammburu, NUM National Spokesperson,
17 June 2025
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) invites members of the media to apply for accreditation for its 18th National Elective Congress, taking place from 24-26 June 2025.
The Congress will be held at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Boksburg.
This year's Congress is organised under the theme: “The Epoch for the Dictatorship of the Proletariat Now Or Never.”
The Congress will serve as a critical platform to debate the challenges confronting workers in the mining, construction, energy and metal sectors. It will also address the current political and economic landscape in South Africa.
Distinguished delegates will include leaders from the Congress of South African
Trade Unions (COSATU), the South African Communist Party (SACP), the African National Congress (ANC), and other fraternal organisations from South Africa and abroad.
Accreditation Details: Members of the media who wish to cover the Congress must apply for accreditation by submitting their full name, ID number, and the name of their media house to the officials listed below.
The deadline for accreditation applications is Friday, 21 June 2025.
A detailed programme will be distributed to all accredited journalists closer to the date.
For accreditation and further information, please contact:
Livhuwani Mammburu NUM National Spokesperson Cell: 083 809 3257 Email: mamm...@gmail.com
Luphert Chilwane NUM Media Officer Cell: 083 809 3255 Email: lchi...@num.org.za
The National Union of Mineworkers
7
Rissik Street. Cnr Frederick
Johannesburg
Tel: 011 377 2111
Cell: 083 809 3257
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COSATU Eastern Cape commends the support provided to flood victims in Mthatha and calls for lessons to be drawn from this tragedy
Mkhawuleli Maleki, COSATU Eastern Cape Provincial Secretary, 18 June 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in the Eastern Cape appreciates the support and solidarity given to the victims of the floods that devastated Mthatha recently and calls for lessons to be drawn from this disaster.
These are the worst floods Mthatha has experienced in recent years. The disaster has affected 2 686 people who have been left homeless; 90 people have died, 60 of them adults and 30 children. The death toll has been steadily rising with each passing day.
Those who have been displaced are temporarily accommodated in community halls and churches.
Rescue services, including police, have been hard at work saving lives and recovering bodies of those who lost their lives.
COSATU is heartened by the visit of the provincial government led by the Premier, Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, MEC’s and MPL’s to the affected community as well as the subsequent interventions made. The Premier assured residents that all spheres of government are playing their part in assisting the affected.
The national government led by President Cyril Ramaphosa along with some ministers visited Mthatha to assess the situation and help where necessary. Government has declared a state of disaster in the Eastern Cape. This classification makes it possible for government to support the impacted provinces with an integrated response.
President Ramaphosa gave his word that government would act swiftly to support affected families and said officials would assess the kind of help required.
Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder and Chairperson of the Gift of the Givers Foundation was among those who arrived with the President. His organisation is working hard to assist the affected community in alleviating the burden caused by the disaster.
The OR Tambo District Municipality led by Councillor Mesuli Ngqondwana and the Local Municipality have been supportive throughout.
Traditional leaders, religious leaders, community leaders and their organisations are playing their part in helping and easing the pain caused by the disaster.
Emergency Medical Services and SAPS are still continuing with their sterling work in search of those who are still missing.
The overwhelming support that has been provided throughout this period and the collective efforts of all the stakeholders involved in assisting the affected communities is what we need to build better communities and is much appreciated.
There are other social ills that demand a similar response to be effectively addressed. Lessons learnt from this disaster should be a source of strength and courage to address other challenges impacting our communities.
COSATU is further encouraged by the gesture of United Arab Emirates government that has pledged R55 million to support flood-relief efforts.
We look forward to speedy interventions that will help the affected to reorganise their lives. The Federation urges government once more to explore and start rolling out initiatives to mitigate climate change as more of these inclement weather episodes are bound to occur if nothing is done.
COSATU Eastern Cape expresses its deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the families, relatives, colleagues, and friends of those who tragically lost their lives during this catastrophic disaster.
Issued by COSATU Eastern Cape
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South African Communist Party Youth Day 2025 Statement
Mbulelo Mandlana, SACP Head of Media, Communications and Information, 16 June 2025
Today, the people of South Africa commemorate Youth Day, in honour of the indomitable spirit of the youth who stood up in 1976 against oppression, discrimination, and injustice. Their bravery and determination continue to inspire the current generation as it confronts the pressing challenges of our time: unemployment, inequality, and poverty.
The 1976 uprising was not merely a protest; it was a revolutionary act of defiance against a system that sought to silence the voices of our youth. It was a clear message that the South African youth would no longer accept a future dictated by the racist apartheid regime, a future devoid of opportunities and dignity. Today, the people of South Africa find ourselves in a similar struggle, as the scourge of inequality, unemployment and poverty continues to plague the working class and poor, with women, particularly black women, suffering the worst.
As we reflect on the sacrifices made by our predecessors, we are reminded that the fight for justice and equality is far from over. The youth of today face unprecedented challenges, with rising unemployment rates and a growing sense of exclusion from the economic and social fabric of our nation. We must galvanise our efforts to ensure that every young person has access to quality education, decent work, and the opportunity to contribute to society in a meaningful way.
In this context, socialism emerges as a vital solution to the struggles faced by our youth. It embodies the principles of collective ownership and equitable distribution of resources, ensuring that the wealth of our nation benefits all, rather than a privileged few. By embracing socialism, we can create a society that prioritises the needs of the youth, providing them with job opportunities, social services, and a supportive environment that nurtures their potential. Through organised, principled, and revolutionary struggle, we can dismantle the systemic barriers that perpetuate inequality and build a future where every young South African can thrive.
The SACP calls upon the youth of South Africa to take inspiration from the courage displayed by their forebearers in 1976. The SACP calls for working-class youth to unite in this organised struggle against the systemic barriers that uphold exclusion. In this respect, the SACP further calls for principled unity in order to advocate for policies that prioritise youth employment, equitable access to resources, and the dismantling of the structures that perpetuate injustice.
In the spirit of the 1976 uprising, the SACP urges every young person to rise and claim their rightful place in this society, including playing their role in dismantling capitalism in its imperialist stage. Through solidarity and determination, the working class and poor can build a future where every young South African can thrive, free from the shackles of poverty and discrimination.
Let us honour the legacy of those who came before us by ensuring that their sacrifices were not in vain. Together, let us forge a path towards a more just, equal, and inclusive South Africa.
The struggle continues!
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Statement by Study Group on Communications and Digital Technologies on Postbank, SAPO and ZADNA
17 June 2025
The ANC Study Group on Communications and Digital Technologies has been reviewing the briefings from the various entities managed by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies which have come before the Portfolio Committee.
Today, there were briefings from the PostBank, South African Post Office (SAPO) and .za Domain Name Authority (ZADNA). In the main, the focus was on analysing the revised Strategic Plans and Annual Performance Plans of these entities.
President Ramaphosa signed the Postbank Amendment Bill into law in September 2023, formally transferring the Postbank’s shareholding from the South African Post Office to the government. This allowed for the creation of a Bank Controlling Company – the new holding company of a bank – opening the way for Postbank to become a fully-fledged state-owned banking operation in the country.
Following this, the Study Group has been closely involved in ensuring the recapitalisation of SAPO and Post Bank.
With regards to the South African Post Office, we welcome their drastic turnaround plan which sees the entity move from a net loss to a net profit by 2029. We would like to see the operations of the SAPO in rural areas being prioritised for growth and development and to drive rural economic development. We envision a capable SAPO that can sustain itself. The presentations of these annual performance plans instil in us the confidence, that with adequate support from the Department, SAPO can be recapacitated and set for success. We are also in support of the diversification of the revenue streams for SAPO to comprise more of the e-commerce space and taking advantage of the last mile delivery space.
Whilst we acknowledge that Postbank will be entering an already highly competitive banking market, we remain in support of the creation of a State Owned Bank and realize that this framework will require the support of the Post Office. Postbank’s primary objective will be to offer affordable financial services to communities not catered for by traditional retail banking, SMMEs and the public sector. There are about 6.5 million people in South Africa who are unbanked, and 15 million existing customers that are under-banked.
In addition to this, there is about R12 billion found outside the formal banking system, excluding stokvels, which can be addressed. We believe that Postbank can fill this gap, create inclusionand can also have a developmental impact which will address issues of growth, making credit available and provide financial education. It is also the best vehicle for state payments such as SASSA and NSFAS, etc.
We are therefore closely monitoring the variation notice of the Postbank and call upon all stakeholders to bind together and ensure the continued compliance of Postbank. We call for the full license authorisation of PostBank so that it can compete with the commercial banks of South Africa, and that it must be given the same latitude. We also call for the support of Postbank by the department to ensure its growth and sustainability.
As far as .ZADNA is concerned, we believe that ZADNA plays a crucial role in the digital landscape of South Africa. Managing and regulating the .za domain name space, ensuring its security, stability, and accessibility to all ensures that we promote the growth and development of the.za namespace, empowering individuals and businesses to leverage the benefits of the digital landscape. The ongoing effort to "digitise the undomained", ensuring that the benefits of the digital landscape are accessible to all, must be supported.
It is important that we recognise that the .za namespace is one of the biggest in the world and one of the strongest in terms of security. The benefit of funds used to register .za namespace bolsters the country’s economy as the funds are re-invested and used to build infrastructure.
The ANC appreciates the comprehensive presentations of these entities and we are mindful of the acute challenges we face. We will continue to foster partnerships and engagements so that we are able work together towards building digitally enabled and economically empowered communities.
Issued
by the Whip of the ANC Study Group on Communications and Digital Technologies, Hon SI Subrathie.
For
enquiries, please contact:
Cde Hlengiwe Hadebe
Media Liaison Officer
+27 64 147 3276
International-Solidarity
COSATU calls for a G20 Critical Minerals Framework that prioritises equitable growth
Tengo Tengela, COSATU Trade and Industrial Coordinator, 18 June 2025
The Congress of South African Unions (COSATU) acknowledges the various debates on critical minerals under South Africa’s G20 Presidency and calls for a multilateral framework that harmonises national interests with sustainable development imperatives.
On 18 and 19 June, the G20 Task Force 1 on Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialisation, Employment and Reduced Inequality will convene to negotiate texts for three crucial documents:
· G20 Principles for Inclusive Economic Growth, Employment and Reduced Inequality
· G20 High-Level Principles on Green Industrial Policy for Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialisation, Jobs and Equality
· G20 Critical Minerals Framework
Across the globe, mineral riches have often failed to deliver on their promise of human development, instead relying on exploitation rather than fair distribution. While the industry has created wealth for some, it has done so at the expense of others, in particular workers labouring under dangerous conditions often resulting in horrific accidents, illnesses and deaths; and mine-hosting communities losing access to land, clean water, soil, biodiversity, air and heritage.
In line with the South Africa’s G20 Presidency theme of, “Solidarity, Equity, Sustainability”, COSATU calls on South Africa’s government and other G20 members to embed the recommendations of the UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals in the three documents, and particularly the Framework on Critical Minerals. More emphasis should be placed on the following dimensions:
- More equitable geographic distribution of benefits from the value chain. “Greater efforts must be made to shift processing closer to the source, moving away from the ‘pit to port’ model that has facilitated the extraction of wealth without proper compensation,” says COSATU president, Zingiswa Losi. This opportunity must be exploited to boost and achieve long delayed commitments to beneficiate minerals within South Africa and thus help create and sustain local value chains and jobs.
“This may require importing countries to invest in physical and human capital and enter agreements that allow for technology transfer and learning. To advance equitable growth, mining must create decent jobs throughout the supply chain.”
- The framework must also strengthen governance centered on human development at local, national and international levels. The COSATU president emphasised, “Illicit financial flows, regressive taxation, environmental destruction and violation of human rights undermine the benefits that should accrue from mining, and that inadequate capacities to monitor and enforce standards render initiatives such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive meaningless.”
The G20’s Framework must require members to commit to Global Tax Cooperation initiatives that enhance transparency and ensure all pay their fair share (e.g. OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting; the Rio De Janeiro G20 Ministerial Declaration On International Tax Cooperation). The Framework must also strengthen monitoring and enforcement of adherence to mining standards. This would require the proper resourcing of relevant institutions, particularly at local, national, and international levels, as well as greater cooperation with labour and civil society.
- Lastly, the framework must embed human rights and sustainability standards in mining practices. Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) should be a non-negotiable requirement for mining licenses. Similarly, licensing requirements must also ensure that plans for mine closure and rehabilitation are developed from the start and implemented. Measures to address the current shortcomings of rehabilitation arrangements must be put in place.
Issued by COSATU
Tengo Tengela (COSATU Trade and Industrial Coordinator)
Mobile: 066 141 6783
Email: Te...@cosatu.org.za
OR
Zanele Sabela (COSATU National Spokesperson)
Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639
Email: zan...@cosatu.org.za
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SACP strongly condemns the apartheid Israeli settler regime's attack on Iran, continued acts of genocide against the Palestinian people
Mbulelo Mandlana, SACP Head of Media, Communications and Information, 14 June 2025
The South African Communist Party (SACP) condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the apartheid Israeli settler regime and its automatic imperialist sponsor for their genocidal impunity. The SACP denounces the barbaric destruction of Iranian homes, the cold-blooded killing of civilians and the deliberate escalation of instability across the Middle East by the United States-backed Israel, whose leaders believe they are above international law.
The SACP stands in full solidarity with the Iranian people and reaffirms their sovereign right to defend themselves, including through retaliatory responses, against all forms of foreign aggression. Resistance to imperialism is both legitimate and necessary. The international community must not be silent in the face of Israel’s violation of other countries’ fundamental rights to peace, self-determination, sovereignty, and human rights.
Israeli leaders responsible for the aggression, war crimes and genocide must be held accountable.
We reaffirm our unwavering solidarity with the entire Axis of Resistance in the Middle East in their struggle to confront the apartheid Israeli settler regime’s genocidal aggression and brutality, and in waging a principled struggle against all forms of colonial occupation, imperialist domination, exploitation and military subjugation.
By violating Iran’s sovereignty and trampling on multilateralism and international law, Israel’s leaders have once again revealed their true agenda, that of the enemies of international peace, justice and the human rights of others.
Israel’s latest attack on Iran comes as the leaders of the apartheid Israeli settler regime continue their genocide against the Palestinian people, having already killed at least 55,000, injured close to 27,000, and obliterated homes, hospitals, water systems, schools, roads and other critical infrastructure since 7 October 2023. The SACP condemns these actions of extermination, which exposes the Zionist colonialists as a threat not only to Palestine and Iran but to humanity.
The apartheid Israeli settler regime has launched the latest unprovoked and illegal attacks on Iran on Friday, 13 June 2025, committing acts that demand the strongest condemnation by all peace-loving people across the world. With full backing from the imperialist United States, Israel bombed Iranian cities, deliberately targeting civilians and destroying residential buildings.
The apartheid Israeli settler regime’s forces killed and injured innocent men, women and children, reducing family homes to rubble and throwing entire neighbourhoods into terror. They struck without warning, forcing people to flee into smoke-filled streets as explosions shattered their homes. Israeli leaders ordered these strikes knowing they would kill civilians, while the imperialist regime of the United States provided the Zionist aggressors with support, including weapons, intelligence and political cover to carry the attacks out.
The red skies and collapsing buildings in Tehran were not the result of error but the consequence of a co-ordinated campaign of the apartheid Israeli settler regime terror. These are war crimes, carried out by a regime that uses military power to pursue domination and annihilation.
Israeli’s attacks on Iran were carried out with the impunity, long enjoyed by the Zionist regime due to the consistent support and cover provided by the United States and its NATO allies. Such actions constitute a direct assault on the principles of state sovereignty and non-aggression enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.
The timing of this aggression is as revealing as it is cynical. It occurred amid a session of the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors and on the eve of another round of talks between Iran and the United States. This is a deliberate attempt to sabotage diplomacy and escalate tensions. Once again, this exposes the hypocrisy of the United States and its allies, who claim to champion peace while enabling continuous aggression.
Iran has consistently stated, with transparency, that its nuclear programme is dedicated to peaceful purposes: generating affordable electricity, supporting medical research and advancing scientific development. The propaganda against this programme by imperialist powers and Israel – which have nuclear weapons – is based on a political agenda designed to isolate and weaken an independent state that refuses to surrender its sovereignty.
The apartheid Israeli settler regime has long been a destabilising factor in the Middle East, sustained by a ruthless military apparatus that commits acts of genocide and massacres. Israel’s inhuman campaigns against the Palestinian people, its repeated violations of Lebanese and Syrian sovereignty, and now its escalated aggression against Iran, are all part of a broader strategy to suppress resistance and entrench imperialist domination in the Middle East.
The SACP calls on all progressive and anti-imperialist peace-loving people across the globe to raise their voices and stand up against the injustices committed by the United States-supported apartheid Israeli settler regime. The same forces that once propped up apartheid in South Africa are now backing the destruction of sovereign nations, at least in the Middle East. Our collective struggle must continue, not only in defence of Iran and the Palestinian people but in defence of all peoples resisting domination, exploitation and foreign occupation and domination.
The SACP reaffirms its commitment to the global anti-imperialist struggle and its unwavering support for the people of Iran and Palestine. Let us build international solidarity and intensify the struggle for a world rooted in peace, justice, liberation and universal emancipation.
ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN COMMUNIST PARTY,
FOUNDED IN 1921 AS THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF SOUTH AFRICA.
Media, Communications & Information Department | MCID
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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