Taking COSATU Today Forward, 11 April 2025
Norman Mampane
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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
11 April 2025
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- NUM Women Structure pickets against the South African Judicial System
- South Africa
- Gender inequality and wage discrimination impact negatively on GDP – warns academia
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Completion of the 20th International Congress of the WFTU TUI FISE
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
NUM Women Structure pickets against the South African Judicial System
Ann Atlee, NUM Women Structure Deputy Secretary, 10 April 2025
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) Women Structure will tomorrow (Friday 11th April 2025) embark in a one-hour picket directed at the South African Judicial System that had so far recklessly handled sexual offence cases or rapes taking place across the country. The structure will demonstrate its dissatisfaction against the Judicial System.
The structure is deeply perplexed by how victims of rape are being failed by the system.
Attrition of rape cases in the country is a matter of serious concern in terms of having an effective criminal justice system.
The ineffectiveness of the justice system is one of the key reasons why the NUM Women Structure and other progressive organisations fight for the specialised sexual offences courts across South Africa. Our believe is that these courts would improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the system, ensuring that more rapists go to jail.
This picket comes after the so called “pastor” Timothy Omotoso who allegedly raped 32 young women was found not guilty due to state prosecutors mishandling the case.
Secondly, this picket is influenced by how the case of a 7-year-old girl Cwecwe in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape is been handled.
The deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) at the Justice for Cwecwe march was totally not necessary and raised questions about the use of military force during peaceful protests.
The picket will take place at Elijah Barayi Memorial Training Centre in Midrand from 12pm - 1pm.
All other progressive organisations are invited to join the picket.
Members of the media are invited.
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COSATU North West joins POPCRU in mourning the tragic death of Constable Eric Tekolo
Kabelo Kgoro, COSATU North-West Provincial Secretary, 10 April 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions in the North West joins its affiliate, the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) in mourning the tragic death of one of its members, Constable Eric Tekolo.
The tragic and senseless killing of Constable Eric Tekolo is another case of many, which demonstrates the dangers faced by law enforcement officers and calls for more stricter laws against criminals and those perpetrating acts of violence.
We stand with our affiliate in condemning this cowardly act of violence and call on our government and law makers to review the current laws meant to protect citizens and law enforcement officers from acts of criminality and violence.
We call on law enforcement agencies in the province to leave no stone unturned in finding the perpetrator(s) of this dastardly act of robbing the Tekolo family of one of their loved ones. Our thoughts are with the Tekolo family, POPCRU, friends and loved ones of the deceased during these trying times.
We remain confident that the law enforcement agencies will find the perpetrator(s) and that the judiciary together with law enforcement will ensure that justice is served, and a clear message is sent out to perpetrators of violence against humanity that their acts cannot be condoned.
Gender inequality and wage discrimination impact negatively on GDP – warns academia
09 April 2025
Delegates at the G20 second Employment Working Group (EWG) were told that many countries were performing below par because of gender inequality and discriminatory wage polices.
Addressing the second EWG meeting held at The Arch in uMhlanga, Dr Janine Hicks from KwaZulu-Natal University said: “when countries practice gender inequality and wage discrimination this is not good, not good for the economy
Dr Hicks cautioned that gender discrimination and wage inequalities have serious economic consequences and does not work for the country, and not good for women".
She was addressing on the subject of: Gender inequality in the workplace: Persistent forms of economic inequality confronting women.
She said this impact on economic development and women's advancement.
She said gender inequality and wage inequality have a lifelong impact of perpetuating poverty and further perpetuate women suppression.
The academic was addressing the G20 EWG forum session focused on gender equality in the workforce and the growing labour income share disparity. South Africa's G20 Presidency is held under the theme: “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability". The EWG's theme is: “Living and Working in an Unequal World: Ensuring Decent Work and Decent Lives."
According to Dr Hicks regardless of international standards, ratification of International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions, local activism, existence of women Ministries - there was still persistence discrimination against women.
She was worried of societal norms that serve as a breeding ground to perpetuate gender discrimination. She said when dealing with equality there is a need to widen the gaze and look at broader societal factors that influence pay differences.
“Not only are women underpaid, but also work in sub- human conditions. They risk of being laid off.
“We need not only a comprehensive set of interventions, but also a comprehensive set of partners to deal with gender inequality and pay differentials," she said.
Her take home is: “Let's cut to the chase and have a broader discussion on the drivers of gender discrimination and wage inequalities that need to be addressed".
The EWG meeting started on Tuesday and will end on Friday. It is being attended by delegates from G20 members, invited countries, international organisations such as the ILO, World Bank and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and academic experts.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Teboho Thejane
Departmental Spokesperson
082 697 0694/ teboho....@labour.gov.za
-ENDS-
Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour
International-Solidarity
Completion of the 20th International Congress of the WFTU TUI FISE
10 APR 202 BY CENTRAL WFTU
The 20th International Congress of the WFTU World Federation of Teachers Union FISE, which took place in Rabat, Morocco on the 5th and 6th of April, was successfully concluded.
Tens of delegates from trade unions from all over the world, unanimously adopted the documents of the Congress. During the Congress the new Executive Committee of the TUI was elected, to lead the TUI in its future struggles.
The WFTU wishes all the best to the new leadership and the elected bodies of the TUI, and expresses the sureness that the implementation of the decisions of the 20th Congress will be a strong reinforcement of the class-oriented trade union movement in the crucial sector of Education.
On the framework of the Congress the delegates participated in a massive demonstration in solidarity with the Palestinian people in the city of Rabat.
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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