Taking COSATU Today Forward, 17 June 2025
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #CosatuCallCentre number is 010 022 2590 #DecentWork #DecentLives #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
17 June 2025
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- COSATU joins workers in celebrating court victory against Mafoko Security
- SAMWU announces protected strike action at Umhlathuze Local Municipality
- COSATU Limpopo post Provincial Executive Committee statement
- South Africa
- COSATU honours the youth of 1976 – acknowledges challenges faced by today’s youth
- SADTU Statement on National Youth Day
- COSATU commends government's progress in addressing the grey listing findings
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- COSATU welcomes home the SANDF peacekeeping mission from the DRC
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
COSATU joins workers in celebrating court victory against Mafoko Security
Zanele Sabela, COSATU National Spokesperson, 17 June 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) joins its Affiliate, the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU), in celebrating the court victory enabling workers to attach the assets of their former employer to recoup pension monies owed to them.
The group of 144 former employees of Mafoko Security emerged victorious, after the High Court in Johannesburg dismissed their former employer’s attempt to block them from attaching the company’s assets, to recoup pension contributions Mafoko Security deducted from their pay but failed to pay over to the fund for over five years.
Mafoko Security employs more than 11 000 security guards across the country and is reported to owe R151 million in pension fund contributions to the Private Security Sector Provident Fund (PSSPF).
Mafoko Security was among four security companies that COSATU named and shamed in January this year for defaulting on workers’ pension fund contribution payments despite having lucrative contracts with government departments and parastatals.
Security and cleaning companies along with many municipalities were among the main culprits when the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) released a list of 7 700 defaulters in November last year. The list had virtually doubled from 4 000 the year before.
COSATU commends the workers for their resolve and for fighting to ensure their victory was certain. This cancer of employers defaulting on paying over workers’ contributions must be dealt final blow once and for all.
Issued by COSATU
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SAMWU announces protected strike action at Umhlathuze Local Municipality
Zandile Gumede, SAMWU Regional Secretary, 17 June 2025
The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU), on behalf of its members and employees at Umhlathuze Local Municipality, today announced the commencement of protected strike action. This decision follows the Municipality's continued failure to address critical concerns which the Union has been raising without a response that addresses these issues.
Despite repeated attempts to bring these issues to the Employer's attention, they remain unresolved. SAMWU has exhausted all available avenues for resolution and has been compelled to take this decisive action to defend workers' rights as the last course of action.
The protected strike action, commencing today, June 17, 2025, stems from a comprehensive list of grievances, including but not limited to:
• Unfair Labour Practices: Persistent unfair dismissals and a pattern of victimization against union-affiliated employees, including instances of "double parking" where two employees are paid for the same post due to unfair suspensions, which SAMWU describes as corruption.
• Misuse of Ratepayers' Funds: The continued and opposed use of private attorneys for internal disciplinary matters, despite the presence of an adequately staffed internal Labour Relations department.
• Gross Negligence in Workplace Safety and Security: A blatant disregard for employee well-being, evidenced by the failure to implement effective safety measures after a shooting incident, and a lack of strong security policies, gated access, security drills, and 24/7 surveillance in municipal offices and depots.
• Non-Compliance with Employment Equity and Disability Inclusion: Systemic exclusion of persons with disabilities and a severe lack of their representation, with a demand for urgent compliance with the mandatory 2% disability employment quota.
• Unsafe Working Conditions: Widespread violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, including exposure to hazardous environments, dilapidated municipal buildings, and a lack of basic facilities like ablution amenities at workstations.
• Unfair Recruitment Practices: The appointment of temporary employees without the requisite qualifications or experience to senior management positions, undermining fairness and meritocracy.
• Exploitation of EPWP Employees: A demand for the permanent absorption of EPWP workers who have been on temporary contracts for over five years, demonstrating the Municipality's ongoing need for their services.
• Unequal Remuneration: The failure to implement Grade 6 compensation for all employees, despite the Municipality falling under Category 6, leading to inequitable treatment where some employees remain at Grade 5.
• Lack of Danger Allowance: The omission of danger allowance for Essential Services Employees, undermining the risks they face daily.
• Inadequate Tools of Trade: A demand for the immediate provision of essential tools, including functional computers, laptops, and a roadworthy fleet.
• External Temporary Appointments in Senior Management: The immediate removal of external temporary appointees in senior management positions who demoralize qualified internal staff and undermine fair recruitment.
• Racism within Electricity and Energy Services: An urgent need to address racial inequity, specifically the rehiring of White retired employees as temporary staff, a practice not extended to other racial backgrounds.
• Non-Compliance with PPE Policy: Insistence on the full implementation of the Council-approved PPE policy to ensure all employees have appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Dilapidated Municipal Buildings: A demand for urgent refurbishment and proper fencing of all municipal buildings to ensure a safe and dignified working environment.
• Non-Payment of Overtime: The ongoing failure to pay overtime, particularly by less qualified senior managers, which constitutes gross negligence.
• Lack of Accountability for Senior Managers: A call for comprehensive skills and lifestyle audits of all senior managers to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Unlawful Cost Containment Measures: A demand to immediately halt current unlawful cost containment practices.
• Unfilled Vacancies: An urgent call to fill all fully funded vacant positions to ensure service delivery is not compromised.
As part of the strike action, the Union will be delivering the memorandum of demands to the municipality and will be demanding a response by latest Friday, June 20, 2025.
SAMWU had requested a formal response to these demands by Friday, June 20, 2025, before 16h00. Should the municipality fail to respond or provide an unsatisfactory response, SAMWU will be left with no option but to intensify the action.
As a Union, we understand the inconvenience that comes with a strike action, especially towards residents. We are, however, forced as a union to take this course of action as a last resort, following the failure by the municipality to address these issues.
We need to stress that before we are municipal workers, we are community members, and as such, we are as a Union interested in seeing municipalities that work. This fight is not just a fight for workers, but a fight for services, and as such, residents should join us in this noble course.
Issued by SAMWU Shonamalanga Region
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COSATU Limpopo post Provincial Executive Committee statement
Hangwani Mashao, COSATU Limpopo Provincial Secretary, 13 June 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) Limpopo convened its ordinary Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) on 12 June. Affiliates, Locals and structures of the Federation, composed of 16 unions and 30 Locals convened for this important meeting in the calendar of the Federation.
The PEC noted the meeting was taking place six weeks after the celebration of May Day, in a year during which COSATU marks 40 years since its formation and commemorates the 70th anniversary of the South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU), the forerunner to COSATU.
It is also the year the World Federation of Trade Unions, to which COSATU and some of her unions are affiliated, is celebrating its 80th anniversary. This year we celebrate 31 years of freedom and democracy and also mark 30 years of the Labour Relations Act (LRA) of 1995.
The LRA is very important to workers in that it laid the basis the entire current labour relations framework and heralded subsequent labour legislation, in pursuit of the provisions of our national constitution and the ideals of the Freedom Charter, for which we mark the 70th anniversary of its configuration this year.
The PEC discussed and took decisions on the Organisational, Political, Socio-Economic and International Reports that were presented.
In Memoriam
The PEC took a moment to remember those who made their mark in working class struggles including Comrades Katishi Masemola - the Food and Allied Workers’ Union’s former General Secretary; Membathisi Shepherd Mdladlana - the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union’s founding President; Tito Mboweni - our first Minister for Labour; Lungi Mbananga-Gcabashe – Deputy President of the ANCWL; Ma Gertrude Shope – Heroine of our struggle for liberation; Tshenuwani Simon Farisani – an outstanding veteran of our struggle for liberation and Ngugi wa Thiong’o – A pan Africanist and world acclaimed prolific African author and activist. Their sacrifices laid the foundations for the gains workers and the working class have won in South Africa and the world over. The memory of these leaders and personalities should spur us to emulate their examples as we advance the struggles of the workers for improved working conditions and justice.
On the Organisational
The PEC adopted the reports received in relation to the recent 3rd Provincial Gender Conference and the 7th Provincial Congress, which took place on 5 to 7 March 2025. The meetings were lauded as successful, for which the PEC undertook to continue to do organizational work and implement the resolutions of the Conferences, while the Federation and its affiliates also prepare for the 8th Central Committee.
The PEC also underlined the importance of training and development of members and leaders to have to have membership with a high level of class consciousness. The PEC also welcomed the successful NEHAWU 16th Provincial Congress which took place on 24 to 26 May 2025.
On the Political
The PEC received messages of support from our allies, SANCO, ANC and the SACP who pledged to continue to support the Federation and work towards the improvement of the conditions of the working class. The PEC also called for unity and discipline across the entire components of the alliance as disunity weakens the working class and the possibility of advancing the National Democratic Revolution at a much quicker pace.
The PEC also noted that the PEC was taking place when the SACP has decided to contest elections directly. While the PEC is aware of this development, it will be guided by the decision of the COSATU CEC to allow unions to consult members within the structures of the unions, which consultations will be consolidated and discussed in the COSATU Central Committee of September 2025.
On the Socio-Economic
The PEC adopted a report that sketches the socio-economic landscape that confronts the working class and pledged to continue to do the following:
- To continue with Recruitment and Membership retention programmes
- To mobilise members for the 40th Anniversary Celebration of COSATU
- To continue with reparations for the 8th Central Committee
- Popularisation of the National Health Insurance
- Support for the full implementation of the BELA
- To continue with all our COSATU campaigns to protect members and the community
On the International
The PEC is concerned about political imprisonment of activists in Tunisia and calls for the freeing up of political activity in that country. The PEC is concerned about the continuing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique which have had a devastating effect to the people residing in the war zones. The PEC is concerned by individuals that appear to fan these conflicts, backed by foreign interests.
The PEC also decided that we should find a way of helping our working-class counterparts in our neighbouring countries of Zimbabwe and Eswatini, who have been subjected to repression.
In the same vein the meeting called for an end to the unilateral unlawful sanctions that have been imposed on Zimbabwe.
Issued by COSATU Limpopo
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COSATU honours the youth of 1976 – acknowledges challenges faced by today’s youth
Zanele Sabela, COSATU National Spokesperson, 16 June 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) honours the youth of 1976 for the role they played in confronting the brutal apartheid regime and ultimately bringing about a democratic South Africa. COSATU also acknowledges that today’s youth faces markedly different challenges.
The appallingly high unemployment rate is a major challenge. South Africa’s overall unemployment rate stands at 43.1%, but for young people between the ages of 15 and 24, the rate is more than 72%. As if that isn’t bad enough, the number of young people in this age group not in education or employment has increased by nearly 2% to 3,8 million when compared to the first quarter of 2024.
Looking at these figures it is clear young people are under siege.
Nothing, however, demonstrates the devastation and frustration South Africans are feeling more blatantly than news that some community members in the Chris Hani District, Eastern Cape have drawn up a petition protesting job postings that call for applicants between the ages of 18 and 35.
According to the drafters and signatories of the petition, the age range should be widened to include applicants aged between 18 to 59 years. Such is the devastating impact of unemployment, poverty and inequality that parents are forced to compete for the same opportunities as their children.
According to Statistics SA, graduate unemployment in Quarter 1 of this year increased to 11.7% from 8.7% compared to the same period last year. Even though graduate unemployment has increased, Statistics SA has found that those with a tertiary education fare better in the labour market than those with a matric or less education.
Similarly, those with a matric are more likely to find a job than those without. This underpins the critical role played by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) in helping young South Africans pay for their tertiary education. This why it is crucial for NSFAS to adopt a frugal mindset and not spend millions on parking bays and swanky office space.
Statistics SA figures also reveal that young people with vocational and technical training also fare better in the job market than their contemporaries with matric level or less education, though not as well as university graduates.
This underlines the importance of TVET colleges in the country’s education landscape. Equally vital are the 21 Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA)s whose mandate is to facilitate skills development within specific economic sectors. It is for this reason that there was such an outcry when the Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane, appointed seemingly politically connected individuals as chairpersons of these SETAs.
COSATU commends various government initiatives to help address the plight of the youth from the R50 billion allocated to NSFAS annually to free basic education and school meals for millions of learners and the soon to be enrolled 700 000 Grade R learners as well as the teaching assistants stating work but given the levels of our challenges much more must be done urgently.
COSATU calls on those responsible for these all-important entities, to do right by them to ensure they deliver mandated services to the youth of this country, because they are the future and deserve nothing less than the best opportunities we can offer.
Issued by COSATU
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SADTU Statement on National Youth Day
Dr Mugwena Maluleke, SADTU General Secretary, 15 June 2025
On National Youth Day, commemorated annually on 16 June, the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) joins the nation in remembering the historic sacrifices made by the youth of 1976.
This year’s Youth Month is observed under the theme: “Skills for the Changing World – Empowering Youth for Meaningful Economic Participation.”
This day pays tribute to the brave young people who, on 16 June 1976, rose in protest against the apartheid regime’s imposition of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in Black schools.
Armed with nothing but courage and stones, they confronted the brutal machinery of the apartheid state. Many were killed, arrested, and injured, but their resistance ignited a wave of defiance that accelerated the struggle for liberation.
We salute the youth of 1976 for their bravery, unity, and undying spirit. Their courage is now commemorated continent-wide, as the Organisation of African Unity (now the African Union) declared June 16 as the Day of the African Child. This day serves to bring together governments, civil society, and communities to advance children’s rights and build an Africa that is fit for its children.
Today, South Africa enjoys a constitutional democracy that enshrines the rights to dignity, freedom, and equality. But as we mark 31 years of democracy, we are painfully aware that the lived experiences of many young people still reflect deep inequalities and systemic challenges.
Unemployment levels among the youth are high. They are victims of crime, gender-based violence and lack the skills to create their own employment opportunities.
According to Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the first quarter of 2025, youth unemployment remains alarmingly high. The total number of unemployed youth rose by 151,000 to 4.8 million. At the same time, the number of employed youth declined by 153,000 to 5.7 million. This pushed the youth unemployment rate from 44.6% in Q4 of 2024 to 46.1% in Q1 of 2025.
This year’s theme, “Skills for the Changing World,” resonates with SADTU’s 10th Congress theme which emphasise the strengthening of foundational learning and functional skills to advance inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
For many young South Africans, skills for the changing world are out of reach. Many lack access to quality education and skills development opportunities. Others, despite having qualifications, find that job opportunities are few and shrinking.
Best performing countries focus on funding education as an investment. Government must Go Public and Fund Education. Further, we call on the private sector to rise to the challenge. Let this theme not be a slogan, but a call to action:
• Invest in quality education and training that responds to the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
• Expand access to vocational, artisan, and technical training.
• Support youth entrepreneurship and innovation.
• Prioritise youth employment in both public and private programmes.
As SADTU, rooted in the education sector, we reaffirm our commitment to support initiatives aimed at skilling the youth. But beyond just skills, we advocate for a holistic education system that builds caring, tolerant, patriotic, and socially responsible citizens.
To fail our youth today is to betray the sacrifices of the 1976 generation. Let us honour their legacy by empowering today’s youth to shape a better tomorrow not from the margins, but from the centre of our society and economy.
ISSUED BY: SADTU Secretariat
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COSATU commends government's progress in addressing the grey listing findings
Matthew Parks, COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator, 14 June 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) commends the African National Congress led government’s progress in addressing the United Nations’ Financial Action Task Force (FATF)’s grey listing findings with all 22 findings now having been substantially addressed.
The tireless efforts by Treasury, other government departments as well as Parliament are bearing fruit.
It is critical that government move with speed to conclude the remaining processes, including the pending onsite inspection to ensure that South Africa’s removal from the grey listing can be secured by October 2025.
It is important to ensure that not only do we resolve FATF’s findings in letter, but in action. This requires ensuring relevant state institutions, in particular the South African Revenue Service, the National Prosecuting Authority, the Special Investigations Unit, the Judiciary and the South African Police Service; have the resources, including skilled personnel, to tackle corruption, tax evasion, money laundering and terrorism financing. Recent court cases in this regard provide positive hope of government’s efforts to tackle such crimes.
COSATU will continue to support government’s efforts in this regard, including nudging the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition to expedite the promulgation of the Companies Amendment Acts’ provisions providing for the full disclosure of company ownership.
South Africa’s exit from grey listing will boost collective efforts to attract the investment badly needed to stimulate badly needed economic growth, unlock key sectors and create jobs, as many pension and investment funds are prohibited by their rules from investing in grey listed countries.
Issued by COSATU
International-Solidarity
COSATU welcomes home the SANDF peacekeeping mission from the DRC
Matthew Parks, COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator, 13 June 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) welcomes home the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) peacekeeping mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We salute these heroic soldiers for their tireless efforts and sacrifices to bring peace to the DRC and protect innocent civilians from one of the continent’s most intractable decades long conflicts. The nation mourns the loss of gallant members of the SANDF during the course of this important mission.
South Africa, under the leadership of successive administrations led by the African National Congress since 1994, has played an invaluable role in seeking negotiated solutions to conflicts across Africa, including the DRC, Sudan, Burundi, Mozambique, Lesotho and Comores. The deployment of the SANDF in support of such internationally mandated peacekeeping missions has helped bring peace to many of these nations.
Ultimately wars and conflicts need to be settled at the negotiations table, including those in the DRC. The SANDF can only help to enforce peace.
Whilst supporting the brave efforts and sacrifices of the members of the SANDF, we must provide them with the support, including training, weaponry, vehicles, protection and facilities as well as political; if they are to be able to fulfill their missions. It is not acceptable that SANDF personnel are deployed with insufficient training, lack of working transport, little air cover or even the most basic of equipment, e.g. uniforms, boots, tents and protective gear.
COSATU supports the call of Parliament’s Defence Committees on the need for a comprehensive review of the SANDF’s funding to enable it to not only fulfill its constitutional mandates, but also to ensure the personnel of the SANDF are protected from unnecessary risks to life and limb.
South Africa must continue to play a leading role in securing peace in the continent. Our destiny is intrinsically tied to Africa’s peace, stability and economic development, including reducing unsustainable migration flows and opening up trade and investment opportunities. This requires a SANDF that is given the full support of the Fiscus.
COSATU will be seeking urgent engagements between the Ministry for Defence and the Federation, as well as the South African Security Forces Union and the South African National Defence Union to ensure that the rights and needs of SANDF personnel are addressed and protected at all times.
Issued by COSATU
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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