Taking COSATU Today Forward, 27 February 2026 #CosatuRedFridays
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #Cosatu public service unions acknowledges all workers who came out in great numbers on the National Day of Actiona against #GEMS’ exorbitant member medical contribution increase of 9.8% #ClassSolidarity #Cosatu40 #SACTU70 #ClassStruggle “Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism” #CosatuCallCentre 010 002 2590 #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
27 February 2026
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- Minister Nomakhosazana Meth Calls for Stronger Regional Collaboration at SADC Employment and Labour Sector Senior Officials
- Media Invite: SAMWU to convene its 13th National Congress under the Theme: “Towards 4 Decades and Beyond in Defence of Workers’ Interests”
- South Africa
- Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina urges women to lead SA's Just Energy Transition
- President Cyril Ramaphosa institutes naval exercise probe and appoints panel to investigate
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- PAME internationalist delegation is in Cuba
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
Minister Nomakhosazana Meth Calls for Stronger Regional Collaboration at SADC Employment and Labour Sector Senior Officials
24 February 2026
At the opening of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Employment and Labour Sector Senior Officials Meeting, Employment and Labour Minister, Nomakhosazana Meth, made a strong appeal for greater regional cooperation to protect workers amid growing global instability.
Addressing delegates, the Minister reflected on the shifting global order marked by rising geopolitical tensions, protectionism and fragmented trade relations. She cautioned that in times of global disruption, working people are often the first to bear the consequences through job losses, rising living costs and weakened labour protections.
“The future of work in our region must be grounded in justice and collaboration," she said.
Emphasising the importance of solidarity, Minister Meth highlighted regional collaboration as SADC's most effective response to global uncertainty. She noted that strengthened cooperation can help diversify supply chains within the region, support stable labour migration systems and protect workers' rights in a rapidly changing environment.
Minister Meth drew attention to the findings of the latest SADC labour market report, which paints a concerning picture of persistent unemployment and underemployment across Member States. In some countries, unemployment remains as high as 36.9 percent, with women disproportionately affected. Youth unemployment in certain areas exceeds 60 percent, while high levels of informality continue to leave many workers without adequate protection or social security.
She underscored that decent work must remain central to the region's development agenda and rejected the notion that labour standards are optional during times of economic strain.
On the SADC Protocol on Employment and Labour, Minister Meth acknowledged progress in revising the instrument but noted delays in ratification across Member States. South Africa, while supportive of the Protocol's objectives, has raised specific constitutional and legal considerations requiring clarification to ensure alignment with national processes and transformation commitments. She reaffirmed South Africa's commitment to constructive engagement with the SADC Secretariat to resolve outstanding matters.
The Minister also highlighted the need to elevate employment creation as a primary objective of national economic policy. She urged Member States to strengthen coordination between employment strategies and macroeconomic planning to address structural challenges in labour markets.
Addressing labour migration, child labour and dispute resolution, she pointed to ongoing gaps in harmonisation, enforcement and funding. Inconsistent visa regimes, outdated data and case backlogs in labour dispute systems continue to undermine progress. She called for improved coordination, stronger implementation of National Action Plans and enhanced data collection to inform evidence-based policymaking.
Minister Nomakhosazana Meth further acknowledged institutional and financial constraints affecting the implementation of regional programmes, including funding shortages that have limited programme evaluations. She emphasised the need for sustainable financing and increased political will to ensure that regional commitments translate into measurable outcomes.
Minister Meth urged delegates to move from commitment to action. She called for renewed momentum in ratifying the SADC Protocol on Employment and Labour, adequate resourcing of national initiatives, harmonisation of migration policies and strengthened regional solidarity.
“Through unity and shared responsibility, we can build a resilient labour market that leaves no worker behind," said Minister Meth.
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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Media Invite: SAMWU to convene its 13th National Congress under the Theme: “Towards 4 Decades and Beyond in Defence of Workers’ Interests”
Papikie Mohale, SAMWU National Media Officer, 25 February 2026
The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) will convene its 13th National Congress from 17 to 19 March 2026 at Church Unlimited, Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. Held under the theme “Towards 4 Decades and Beyond in Defence of Workers’ Interests,” this Congress marks an important milestone as the Union reflects on nearly forty years of militant struggle, organisational consolidation, and unwavering defence of municipal and water sector workers.
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the open sessions of Congress on 17 and 19 March 2026.
The Congress will be addressed by the national leadership of the Alliance partners: The African National Congress (ANC), The South African Communist Party (SACP), The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). These addresses will engage the political, economic and social challenges confronting workers and outline the programme required to defend and advance working-class interests.
The 13th National Congress will deliberate on key organisational, political and collective bargaining matters, including strategies to strengthen the Union and respond decisively to the deepening crisis in local government.
Members of the media are encouraged to confirm their attendance with the National Media Officer, Cde Papikie Mohale, at pap...@samwu.org.za in order to secure accreditation by 10 March 2026.
Please note that only accredited members of the media will be allowed access to the Congress venue.
Issued by SAMWU Secretariat
South Africa #ClassSolidarity
Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina urges women to lead SA's Just Energy Transition
25 Feb 2026
Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation: Nomalungelo Gina on women to lead SA’s Just Energy Transition
The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina, has called on women to position themselves not only as participants but as leaders, innovators, and owners in South Africa’s evolving energy landscape.
Speaking at a Women in Energy Breakfast Session, held as part of the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) Annual Energy Conference in Johannesburg today, Deputy Minister Gina said South Africa’s just, green, and digital energy transition cannot succeed without deliberate gender inclusion across policy, research, and industrial participation.
The breakfast session formed part of the broader conference themed “Catalysing a Just, Green and Digital Energy Transition for Africa and Beyond”, with a dedicated focus on hydrogen and energy-related initiatives supported by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation through the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI).
“Are we equipping ourselves with the skills, qualifications, and experience required not only to participate in the energy transition, but to lead it?” Deputy Minister Gina asked, challenging women in the sector to prepare for both the opportunities and the complexities of transformation.
Citing recent national data that shows that women account for less than a quarter of STEM professionals in South Africa, Dr Gina stressed that gender equality in energy is not a favour to women, but an economic, social, and developmental imperative.
“Transformation requires deliberate, sustained, and measurable action, not good intentions alone,” she said.
For its part, the DSTI intentionally embeds gender equality within energy research, development, and innovation (RDI) systems. For example, the DSTI’s Energy RDI Flagship Programmes have seen women scientists and engineers increasingly participating in and leading research in hydrogen technologies, battery innovation, and renewable energy integration.
In addition, the Ministry is advancing innovation-driven enterprise development to ensure that publicly-funded research translates into economic participation and ownership for women. This includes collaborating with companies such as HyPlat (Pty) Ltd and Bambili Energy, as well as supporting women-led energy-related SMMEs.
While acknowledging existing regulations aimed at improving health, safety, and equitable working conditions for women in energy, the Deputy Minister noted that implementation remains uneven. She called for stronger accountability, industry collaboration, and leadership progression across the sector.
Speaking in a panel discussion themed “Elevating Women in Energy in South Africa’s Energy Sector: Driving Innovation, Inclusion and Leadership in South Africa’s Energy Sector”, the CEO of Bambili Energy, Ms Zanele Mavuso-Mbatha, said South Africa’s women, in particular black women, have a chance to turn the page, to ensure their representation in the sector.
Ms Mavuso-Mbatha emphasised the sector's intensity, as it requires high skills from the basic technical level to a PhD level. As a result, Bambili was purposeful in consistently ensuring that women play a leading role in the organisation. In 2020, for example, a training programme focusing on fuel cell technologies and targeting students from the TVET sector was launched in partnership with the Energy and Water SETA and the DSTI.
Ms Bertha Dlamini, Founder and President of African Women in Energy and Power, said 58 percent of women in Africa were ready to participate in the energy sector, but lacked access to finance. As a result, African Women in Energy and Power offers a skills development programme to help women develop bankable projects, but has not yet succeeded in scaling the number of women accessing finance.
“As an ecosystem, we need to collaborate to find ways to enable women to access finance in order for them to scale and participate equitably,” said Ms Dlamini.
Deputy Board Chairperson at SANEDI, Ms Nonkosi Koranteng, said women across the energy ecosystem have been part of it for almost their entire lives, not just as consumers but as providers, innovators, and custodians of sustainability within households and communities.
As early as the age of 10, women had to fetch firewood, often over long distances, to keep the fire burning. At times, dried cow dung was used as a renewable energy source.
“Energy security is not only about infrastructure, megawatts and technology; it is about inclusivity, justice and the courage to build the future where no one is left behind,” said Ms Koranteng, lamenting the persistent male dominance in the sector.
The panel discussion, which also included the Acting CEO at Energy and Water SETA, Ms Robyn Vilakazi, and Ms Prudence Madiba, Head of Research at Eskom, agreed that while South Africa was turning the tide in ensuring increased women in the sector, more needs to be done to ensure women's participation in the entire value chain.
The session was followed by discussions on projects funded by the DSTI, led by Director-General, Dr Mlungisi Cele.
Enquiries:
Veronica Mohapeloa
Cell: 083 400 5750
#GovZAUpdates
Issued by Department of Science, Technology and Innovation
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President Cyril Ramaphosa institutes naval exercise probe and appoints panel to investigate
26 Feb 2026
President Cyril Ramaphosa has instituted the probe related to the Exercise MOSI III Will of Peace (“the exercise”) and has appointed an investigative panel to be led by Justice B.M. Ngoepe as the Chairperson of the panel. Justice Ngoepe will be assisted by Justice K. Satchwell, Justice M.M. Leeuw and R. Adm (JG) P.T. Duze. The Panel will report directly to the President.
The instituting of the panel relates to the failure to heed the instruction by the President that the navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran must no longer participate in the Chinese-led Exercise Will of Peace 2026 that took place in South African waters.
The relocation of the inquiry from the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans to the Presidency is to ensure an independent and timeous probe. The President is, in terms of section 202(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, the Commander-in-Chief of the South African National Defence Force.
The Panel will investigate and make recommendations in relation to the circumstances surrounding the exercise, the factors that may have contributed to the failure to observe the President’s order, person or person’s responsible and the consequences to follow.
The Panel will have the power to summon any member of the defence force and/or public service it needs, and to request for all documents, including classified documents, to fulfil its mandate.
President Ramaphosa has directed that the Panel must finish its work and report to the President within one (1) calendar month of its establishment.
The President may, on compelling cause shown, extend the period of the Panel’s proceedings. Due to national security considerations the work of the Panel will be confidential.
President Ramaphosa may on the recommendation of the Panel and the Minister decide to publicise or not to publicise all or any portion of the outcomes of the Panel’s investigation.
Media
enquiries:
Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President
E-mail: me...@presidency.gov.za
#GovZAUpdates
Issued by The Presidency
International-Solidarity
PAME internationalist delegation is in Cuba
by WFTU HQ, 24 Feb 2026
Cuba is not alone!
Early on Friday morning, local time, the internationalist solidarity delegation organized by PAME for the heroic people of Cuba arrived in Havana.
At José Martí International Airport, the delegation of trade unions from Greece was welcomed by Niurka María González Orberá, member of the Organizing Committee of the 22nd Congress of the Cuban Workers’ Federation.
On its first day, the delegation visited the hospital named after Manuel “Piti” Fajardo, the Cuban doctor, revolutionary and fighter of the Rebel Army in the Sierra Maestra.
Yesterday, the PAME delegation in Havana had the opportunity to visit a particularly important site. At the initiative of the Cuban Workers’ Federation, it toured the facilities of the state company AXSS, where a series of projects are underway to address specific social needs through the use of electric mobility combined with solar energy.
At the site, the PAME delegation was welcomed by three women trade unionists: the General Secretary of the Transport and Ports Workers’ Union, the Secretary of the Information Technology and Telecommunications Union, and a representative from the Secretariat of the Food and Commerce Workers’ Union.
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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