Taking COSATU Today Forward, 21 October 2025 #Cosatu@40 #Cosatu40thAnniversary
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #Cosatu scheduled to convene a Just Transition Global South Exchange next week at Boksburg... #Cosatu scheduled to hold its 40th Anniversary at Dobsonville, Soweto on December 6 #Cosatu@40 #Cosatu40thAnniversary #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
21 October 2025
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- COSATU Mpumalanga Statement
- COSATU to host lectures in the lead up to 40th anniversary
- South Africa
- COSATU rejects DA's call to scrap BBBEE
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- At COP30 and every day, education unions are committed to advancing climate education and climate justice
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
COSATU Mpumalanga Statement
Thabo Mokoena, COSATU Mpumalanga Provincial Secretary, 20 October 2025
COSATU Mpumalanga strongly disapproves of the act of disruption to the Mpumalanga SACP Provincial Deputy Chairperson during his address at the ANC led Provincial General Council (PGC) Meeting.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in Mpumalanga expresses its strong disapproval of the unacceptable disruption of the South African Communist Party (SACP) Provincial Deputy Chairperson during his address at the ANC-led Provincial General Council (PGC) meeting.
It must be noted that the ANC plays the central role within the Alliance, postulated that although the Alliance is formally a partnership, the ANC is the leading phenomenon. each alliance partner is an independent organization with its own constitution, membership and programs.
Revolutionary movements must always be seen within the context of the environment in which they take root as well as the circumstances and conditions which give rise to them. The motive of all revolutionary movements is that the existing order of things is neither immutable nor unalterable but can be changed.
The conduct is not only disrespectful to the individual concerned but also undermines the spirit of unity, discipline, and democratic engagement that the Alliance stands for. Political gatherings must be spaces where all voices within the Alliance are heard with respect and where differences are navigated through principled dialogue, not hostility.
Booing is not a form of productive expression, it is a disruptive act that silences voices, fosters division, and detracts from the dignity of public discourse. We recognize the right to disagree, but we firmly believe that disagreement must be expressed through respectful and thoughtful engagement.
We stand firmly against all forms of harassment and verbal aggression. Political events must be safe spaces for diverse opinions and constructive debate. Disagreement is natural — but it must be expressed with dignity, not derision
COSATU Mpumalanga reaffirms its commitment to the values of solidarity, mutual respect, and collective leadership.
We call on all members and structures of the Alliance to uphold these principles and to ensure that future engagements reflect the dignity and seriousness our movement demands.
We stand in solidarity with the SACP and its leadership, and we urge all stakeholders to recommit building a united front that prioritizes the interests of the working class and the broader National Democratic Revolution.
Issued by: COSATU Mpumalanga
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COSATU to host lectures in the lead up to 40th anniversary
Zanele Sabela, COSATU National Spokesperson, 25 September 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is set the host a series of lectures in the lead up to its 40th anniversary celebration at Dobsonville Stadium on 6 December.
The culmination of four years of unity talks, COSATU came into being on 1 December 1985, and brought together 33 competing unions and federations opposed to apartheid and whose common goal was to bring about a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society.
The Federation has been at the forefront of advancing, defending and protecting the interests and rights of workers since, and has led in the formation of the country’s progressive labour laws including workers’ rights to form trade unions, collective bargaining and to strike, minimum conditions of service, National Minimum Wage, etc.
From its vehement resistance of apartheid to the ushering in of the democratic dispensation and improving the economic and social wellbeing of the working class 31 years post democracy, COSATU has stood the test of time.
In the lead up to its 40th anniversary in December, the Federation will host a variety of activities starting with a series of lectures by its National Office Bearers.
The lectures will tackle diverse subjects from COSATU’s pivotal role in gender struggles to the strike that broke the back of industry-wide exploitative labour practices as far back as 1959.
Province:
Northern Cape
Date:
30 October
Topic: COSATU and the Liberation Movement
Main Speaker: Solly Phetoe, COSATU General Secretary
Province:
North-West
Date:
19 November
Topic: Strengthening Industrial Unions to build a militant COSATU
Main Speaker: Duncan Luvuno, COSATU 2nd Deputy President
Province:
Eastern Cape
Date:
20 November
Topic: COSATU and the Reconfiguration of the Alliance
Main Speaker: Mike Shingange, COSATU 1st Deputy President
Province:
Gauteng
Date:
21 November
Topic: COSATU and the Mass Democratic Movement
Main Speaker: Zingiswa Losi, COSATU President
Issued by COSATU
COSATU rejects DA's call to scrap BBBEE
Matthew Parks, COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator, 20 October 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) rejects the Democratic Alliance (DA)’s naïve call to scrap Broad-Based Black Empowerment (BBBEE). The Federation is steadfast in its support for the progressive objectives of BBBEE and remains convinced of its fundamental necessity for a country still struggling to overcome 350 years of systematic discrimination under colonial and apartheid rule.
As long as South Africa remains scarred by the painful legacies of exclusion, then transformation legislation such as BBBEE and Employment Equity will continue to be critical tools to overcoming our still entrenched levels of poverty and inequality.
These centuries of state and capital discrimination have ensured that the colour of one’s skin is intrinsically linked with one’s ability to find work, establish a business and secure a decent standard of income for themselves and their families.
COSATU is dismayed that the DA has chosen to raise long debunked fairy tale claims by William Gumede that BBBEE has seen R1 trillion handed over to 100 politically connected persons yet cannot say who these individuals are nor where the monies came from. It is unhelpful for the DA to dismiss the many gains of BBBEE under government led by the African National Congress which have begun to chip away at racial inequalities.
We are surprised that the DA has jumped upon the demagogic bandwagon of conflating BBBEE with billionaires and ignoring the millions of ordinary South Africans it has benefited.
It’s bewildering that the DA has opted to feed into the myth that BBBEE is about a few individuals.
It is strange that its announcement omits the core fact that BBBEE has three paths; the 30% historically disadvantaged individuals, Employee Shareholder Ownership Programmes (ESOPs) or worker ownership, and equity equivalent investments supporting locally produced goods and businesses, workers and communities. It is disconcerting that the DA is calling upon Parliament to throw the baby out with the bath water.
ESOPs have been particularly successful, enabling 500 000 workers of all races, to become shareholders at their companies. This has boosted their incomes and put money in their pockets. It has created a sense of inclusion and boosted workplace productivity. These are key to inclusive economic growth.
The objectives of BBBEE are sacrosanct. Where modalities need to be enhanced or implementation challenges addressed, then sober discussions must be held at Nedlac and Parliament. However, these must be anchored upon accelerating not abandoning the nation’s constitutionally mandated transformation journey.
Whilst at face value utilising the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, of which South Africa is a signatory, may appear attractive, we fear that they will simply be unwieldly and make the administration of public procurement a nightmare for public servants and unfathomable for SMMEs.
Issued by COSATU
International-Solidarity
At COP30 and every day, education unions are committed to advancing climate education and climate justice
Climate action and literacy Teach for the planet, 20 October 2025
Ahead of the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP 30), which will take place in Brazil in November 2025, education unionists came together to discuss the priorities of the global education union movement for this event, as well as the way forward beyond COP30.
Unions advocating for a just transition at COP 30
Addressing Education International’s Climate Network meeting on October 9th, Patrick Rondeau, Director of the Environment and Just Transition Service of the Workers’ Federation of Quebec (FTQ), stressed that COP is not an isolated event but part of a continuum of work that is developed every day around the world.
While geopolitical tensions are making COP negotiations difficult, unions are working to put the spotlight on a just transition focused on workers’ rights as a global imperative. The leadership of Brazil’s President Lula provides valuable momentum in this direction. Rondeau expressed confidence that the union delegation is in a good position to make progress at COP 30. Unions stand ready to hold governments accountable for the commitments made at COP, advocating for promises to be turned into public policies and actions.
Education on the climate agenda
Education will also be on the agenda at COP 30. A joint ministerial session will bring together Ministers of Education and Ministers of Environment, reported Dijan Sadadou from the Office for Climate Education (OCE). Climate education will also be the focus of a high-level event between the OECD, the OCE, and Minister of Education of Brazil. Efforts continue to integrate education in countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions and climate strategies.
On November 15, the Teachers’ COP will see 10 teachers presenting their climate projects to a live audience at COP and online. Organised by the Office for Climate Education, the event will demonstrate that while negotiations are slow, educators are taking the lead to deliver climate education. Governments must catch up and support educators for climate action.
Supporting governments to empower teachers
Another important moment for education at COP 30 will be the launch of the teacher policy tool developed by the UNESCO Greening Education Partnership. The reflection tool aims to support Ministries of Education in strengthening the climate resilience of their education systems by enabling educators, school leaders, and education support personnel to deliver continuous, equitable, and quality education even amid climate disruptions.
As a member of the Greening Education Partnership, Education International ensured that the experience of unions and teachers around the world informed the development of the policy tool.
Education International key messages to COP 30
1. Education is climate action!
Transforming education is essential to fighting climate change and building a sustainable future.
2. Students deserve climate literacy
Every student has the right to learn how to protect the planet and thrive in a green economy.
3. Teachers are catalysts
Quality climate education starts with trained, empowered, and supported educators.
4. School communities must lead
Learning environments should be climate-resilient and sustainable.
5. COP30 must centre Indigenous voices
Indigenous Peoples protect 80% of the world’s biodiversity. Their leadership is not optional – it’s essential.
6. Traditional knowledge is climate science
Indigenous food systems, forest stewardship, and ecological wisdom must shape climate policy.
7. Governments must act now!
It’s time to fulfil promises made in the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda.
Educators mobilised to Teach for the Planet
At COP30 and beyond, teachers and their unions are determined to ensure climate education as an adaptation measure and an essential way to achieve climate justice for all.
Composed of EI member organisations, the Climate Network is part of EI’s Teach for the Planet campaign which aims to ensure that climate education, based on science and with a civic action focus, becomes as fundamental as teaching reading and writing.
Sign the Teach for the Planet Manifesto and join the mobilisation!
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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