Taking COSATU Today Forward, 2 April 2026 #CosatuMayDay2026

[Norman Mampane]

 

COSATU TODAY COSATU Call Center Contacts: 010 002 2590 #COSATU National May Day will be celebrated at Polokwane, Limpopo on May 1 #HappyEaster #ClassWar #Cosatu40 #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

2 April 2026

“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”

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Contents                      

• Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!

• POPCRU Eastern Cape welcomes the appointment of Lt Gen Vuyisile Ncata as Provincial Police Commissioner and calls for strengthened police-community partnerships
• NEDLAC Annual Labour School 2026

• South Africa
• COSATU urges government to ramp up its investment mobilisation as the economy braces for global economic turmoil 
• NEHAWU National Executive Committee [NEC] Statement  
• International-Workers’ Solidarity!
• UITBB mourns the loss of com. Debanjan Chakraborti, former UITBB General Secretary

Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics  

POPCRU Eastern Cape welcomes the appointment of Lt Gen Vuyisile Ncata as Provincial Police Commissioner and calls for strengthened police-community partnerships

Nokwayintombi Maqina, POPCRU Eastern Cape Deputy Provincial Secretary, 1 April 2026

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) in the Eastern Cape warmly welcomes the appointment of Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata as the new Provincial Police Commissioner, as announced by the National Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola.

Lieutenant General Ncata assumes this responsibility with an impressive 31 years of dedicated and distinguished service in the South African Police Service, having risen through the ranks from a student constable in 1995 to occupying some of the most demanding leadership positions within policing. His journey—from his early days at KwaNobuhle police station, to his leadership roles in Public Order Policing, and later as Station Commander in some of the most crime-affected areas in the Western Cape such as Langa and Nyanga—reflects both operational depth and a firm understanding of the complexities of policing in high-pressure environments.

His recent role as District Commissioner of Nelson Mandela Bay further affirms his readiness to take on provincial leadership, particularly given his experience in dealing with urban crime dynamics, gang-related violence, and community-based policing challenges. As a son of the soil, born and bred in KwaZakhele in Gqeberha, his appointment carries with it a deep appreciation of the socio-economic realities confronting communities across the Eastern Cape.

POPCRU is confident that Lieutenant General Ncata’s academic grounding—holding an Honours degree, a BTech degree, and a National Diploma in Policing—combined with his vast operational experience, places him in a strong position to provide decisive leadership to the SAPS in the province.

The Eastern Cape continues to face serious challenges of violent crime, including murders, gender-based violence, and organised criminal activities. These challenges cannot be resolved by policing alone. They require a whole-of-society approach, anchored on strong, functional, and trust-based relationships between the police and the communities they serve.

It is therefore critical that under the leadership of Lieutenant General Ncata, we intensify efforts to rebuild and strengthen police–community relations. Communities must not only be seen as recipients of policing services but as active partners in ensuring safety. Community Policing Forums, street committees, neighbourhood watches, and other local safety structures must be revitalised and supported as key pillars in crime prevention.

As POPCRU, we reaffirm our position that effective policing is rooted in public trust, cooperation, and legitimacy. Without the confidence of the communities, the work of our members becomes significantly more difficult and, at times, dangerous. We therefore call for a renewed emphasis on ethical policing, accountability, and visible policing that inspires confidence among our people.

At the same time, we emphasise that the fight against crime must go hand in hand with addressing the working conditions, resourcing, and well-being of our members. Police officials cannot be expected to deliver optimal services in environments characterised by shortages of personnel, inadequate equipment, and immense psychological strain. POPCRU will continue to advocate for improved resourcing, better working conditions, and comprehensive wellness support for all members.

The union stands ready to work with Lieutenant General Ncata and the broader leadership of the SAPS in the province. POPCRU will be a reliable ally in advancing a professional, people-centred, and effective policing environment—one that is responsive to the needs of communities while defending the rights and dignity of our members.

We believe that through collective effort, disciplined leadership, and strengthened partnerships, we can make meaningful progress in building safer communities across the Eastern Cape.

We once again congratulate Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata on his appointment and wish him strength and success in this important responsibility.

Issued by POPCRU Eastern Cape

_________________________

NEDLAC Annual Labour School 2026
Kievits Kroon, 22–25 March 2026

We, the organised labour constituency at NEDLAC, comprising COSATU, FEDUSA, NACTU and SAFTU, representing millions of workers across South Africa, convened at the 2026 Annual Labour School at a moment of deepening economic, social and institutional crisis.

We meet against a backdrop of persistent mass unemployment, entrenched poverty and inequality, rising precarity in the labour market, aggressive neo-liberal and austerity policy, weakening public institutions, and the accelerating disruption of work through digitalisation and global economic instability.

This Labour School has not only reaffirmed the enduring challenges facing workers. It has exposed, with greater urgency, the need to strengthen implementation of our declarations of 2024 and 2025.

1. From Reaffirmation to Accountability

We note that the core pillars of our programme remain unchanged from previous declarations. These include:

• The rejection of austerity and its devastating impact on workers and public services
• The defence of workers’ hard-won gains and progressive labour rights
• The strengthening of state institutions and opposition to privatisation
• The advancement of worker unity across federations
• The transformation of the economy towards employment-intensive, inclusive growth
• The defence and deepening of social dialogue through NEDLAC
  
  

However, we state unequivocally: these positions have been repeatedly declared but not fully implemented.

The central task before organised labour in 2026 is therefore not to restate commitments, but to strengthen implementation, deepen coordination, and sharpen collective action.

2. The Crisis of the Labour Market: Structural and Entrenched

We reaffirm that South Africa’s unemployment crisis is structural, not cyclical.

The labour market is increasingly characterised by:

• Persistent exclusion of young and new entrants
• Expansion of precarious and non-standard forms of work
• Wage stagnation alongside rising costs of living
• Weak absorption of labour despite modest economic growth

These realities confirm that the current economic trajectory is incapable of delivering decent work at scale.

We therefore reject any policy framing that shifts the burden of adjustment onto workers.

3. Austerity, Fiscal Policy and the Burden on Workers

Consistent with previous declarations, we reaffirm our rejection of austerity and the prioritisation of fiscal consolidation at the expense of workers and the poor.

We reiterate that austerity has:

• Undermined the capacity of institutions such as the CCMA, NEDLAC and Labour Courts
• Reduced public sector employment and service delivery
• Weakened the state’s ability to drive industrialisation and inclusive growth
  
  

In 2026, we sharpen this position:

We call for a fundamental reconfiguration of macro and fiscal policy, including:

• Strategic public investment in labour-absorbing sectors
• Protection of the public wage bill
• Progressive revenue measures, including wealth and windfall taxes
• Rejection of fiscal consolidation measures that deepen inequality

4. Defence of Labour Rights in a Changing World of Work

We reaffirm our historic commitment to defend workers’ rights and extend protections to those excluded from traditional labour frameworks.

Building on prior commitments on digitisation and the future of work, we now resolve to:

• Advance a Digital Workers’ Charter, grounded in:

• Data sovereignty
• Protection from algorithmic management
• The right to reskilling and lifelong learning

• Ensure that technological change enhances, rather than erodes, worker dignity
• Organise workers in the platform, gig and informal economy

5. Industrial Policy, Just Transition and Economic Transformation

We reaffirm that economic transformation remains central to labour’s programme.

Consistent with prior declarations, we commit to:

• Rebuilding a diversified, employment-intensive industrial base
• Advancing localisation and supporting domestic production
• Ensuring that the climate transition is a Just Transition that protects jobs and communities

In 2026, we elevate this further:

• We call for coordinated action on public investment in energy security, logistics reform, and infrastructure
• We demand that industrial policy be explicitly aligned to job creation at scale
• We insist that workers must shape sectoral transitions, not be displaced by them
• We must advance the Code of Good Practice on the Just Transition.

6. Social Dialogue: Defence and Renewal

We reaffirm NEDLAC as the primary institution for social dialogue and reject any attempts to bypass or weaken it.

However, we acknowledge a growing crisis of confidence in dialogue processes that do not yield tangible outcomes.

We therefore resolve:

• To defend NEDLAC while simultaneously demanding measurable outcomes that benefit the working class as well as accountability
• To ensure that all agreements reached are time-bound and implemented
• To approach the National Dialogue with caution, clarity and firm worker-centred demands

7. Worker Unity: From Rhetoric to Programme

Worker unity remains a central pillar across all prior declarations.

In 2026, we state clearly:

Unity cannot remain a slogan. It must be operationalised through:

• Joint campaigns and coordinated mass action
• Restore General Secretaries’ political Task Team at NEDLAC
• Shared policy positions and aligned bargaining strategies

We commit to moving as one labour movement in action, not fragmented formations in parallel.

8. Programme of Action

Recognising the historic weakness of implementation, we resolve to prioritise:

• A coordinated programme of action against austerity and the cost-of-living crisis
• Joint engagements with key government departments on:

• Labour market reform
• Industrial policy
• Public service delivery

• Strengthening enforcement mechanisms, including labour inspection and compliance

We further commit to clear timelines, resourcing, and accountability mechanisms for all resolutions adopted.

Conclusion

We leave this Labour School with clarity that the crisis facing workers is deepening, and that incremental responses are no longer sufficient.

The task before organised labour is to:

• Move from declaration to implementation
• From fragmentation to unity
• From analysis to action

 

We reaffirm that workers are not a cost to be managed, but the foundation of economic development and social progress.

This declaration must not gather dust. It must live in struggle, in negotiation, and in the daily defence of workers’ dignity.

South Africa #ClassSolidarity

COSATU urges government to ramp up its investment mobilisation as the economy braces for global economic turmoil 

Matthew Parks, COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator, 01 April 2026

 

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) urges government to ramp up its investment campaign as the economy braces for severe global economic turmoil due to the war in the Middle East and the subsequent massive hikes in oil and petrol prices. 

 

The Federation welcomes the R900 billion in investment commitments secured by government at the Investment Conference, a marked rise over previous pledges.  These are a bold vote of confidence by domestic and international investors in South Africa’s future and its strategic economic role in the African continent and the world. 

 

COSATU appreciates efforts by government, in particular the Presidency and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) to tackle the investment strike that has been an albatross around South Africa’s neck for years. 

 

We remain deeply concerned that these positive strides are not enough to generate the growth nor the jobs desperately needed.  South Africa’s already tepid 2026 1.4% growth projection will face severe strain with the devastating fuel price increases, notwithstanding government’s R3 a litre cushion.  Key to stimulating inclusive economic growth and reaching the 5% target necessary to see our dangerously high unemployment rate of 41.1% fall, is to tackle the deterrents to investment.

 

It is urgent that government working with business and labour accelerate collective efforts to mobilise investments to cushion and stimulate the economy; in particular to boosting manufacturing, mining and agriculture; and to save and create decent jobs.  DTIC’s efforts to expand and diversify trade opportunities, in particular with key global economic hubs and Africa, be intensified and provided the necessary support.  Pension and investment funds must be engaged to increase their investments in domestic industrial sectors and critical economic infrastructure. 

 

Whilst critical progress has been made under President Cyril Ramaphosa’s African National Congress led administrations to dismantle the state capture and corruption networks, much more needs to be done to overcome our unacceptably high levels of crime and corruption.  Key to winning this existential war is to ensure that the South African Police Service, National Prosecuting Authority, the Judiciary and other law enforcement organs have the necessary leadership, personnel, skills and resources.

 

It is equally fundamental to expedite efforts to rebuild and return to full capacity Eskom, Transnet, Metro Rail and other important state-owned enterprises.  Eskom in particular requires support to lower the increasingly unaffordable price of electricity.  Similar attention needs to be paid towards capacitating frontline public and municipal services as the economy cannot grow, nor attract investment, without these.

 

COSATU will continue to work closely with government and business to accelerate these efforts at Nedlac, in the sectoral master plans and in bargaining councils.

 

Issued by COSATU

______________________

NEHAWU National Executive Committee [NEC] Statement  

Zola Saphetha, NEHAWU General Secretary, April 01, 2026

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] convened its last ordinary National Executive Committee [NEC] meeting of the 12^th National Congress on the 30^th – 31^st March 2026.

The union shall be convening its 13^th National Congress on the 26^th – 29^th June 2026 to look at the implementation of its four year programme of action amidst the complex nature of the political moment.

The NEC firstly congratulated our National Treasurer, Comrade Kgomotso Makhupola for being elected as the National Chairperson of COSATU Gender Structure in the National Elective Gender Conference that was held on the 26^th – 27^th of March 2026, and committed to support her in contributing to this important ideological task of taking forward the gender struggles not only in the federation but in society as a whole.

The NEC considered the international situation, national situation and socio-economic context as well as organisational matters affecting members and the working class in general. 

International

The entry-point of the NEC was the reaffirmation of the continued validity of our analysis of imperialism, the highest stage of capitalism, applying Lenin’s argument that capitalism evolves toward monopoly domination which is vividly confirmed today.

The NEC was convened in the current conjuncture that is characterised by a deepening global capitalist crisis, intensifying imperialist aggression, and growing threats to the sovereignty of nations and the interests of the working class.

The NEC agreed that the global capitalist system remains trapped in a prolonged structural crisis characterised by low growth, rising unemployment, deepening inequality, and worsening living conditions for the working class.

Indeed, capitalism has demonstrated its inability to resolve its inherent contradictions, instead it continues to impose austerity, suppress wages, and erode workers’ rights for super-exploitation and maximisation of profit.

The NEC condemned the escalation of imperialist wars of aggression led by the United States and its allies, which continue to destabilise regions across the world, particularly in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.

The NEC called on the international community to send a strong message to the United States for its military aggression against sovereign nations to Boycott the Soccer World Cup to be hosted by the United States and called on FIFA to revoke USA hosting the tournament. 

Furthermore, the NEC condemned, in the strongest possible terms, all forms of imperialist aggression, including US military interventions, economic sanctions, and regime change operations directed at independent countries such as Cuba, Venezuela, and others resisting imperialist domination.

The NEC expressed grave concern about the renewed imperialist scramble for Africa’s resources, which undermines sovereignty and entrenches dependency. The NEC agreed that the conflicts in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Sahel region reflect the destructive role of external interference and the competition among global powers for control of strategic resources.

The NEC reiterated the long standing position of the union on our commitment to the struggle for a united, peaceful, and economically independent Africa, driven by the interests of its people and not imperialist powers.

The NEC agreed to establish an International Front with progressives for international solidarity campaigns and programs that will counter the imperialist agenda of the US imperialism and its Allies.

National Political Situation

The NEC made an in-depth assessment on the state of our national political situation and agreed that the rapidly evolving national political situation following the 2024 general elections, have ushered in a new volatile political conjuncture, and the current conjuncture of our revolution is facing three potential and counter-revolutionary threats, namely: the potential convergence between the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), ambiguous position of the DA on the campaign for the independence of the Western Cape, and alliance of the Afrikaner Neofascist movement with US imperialism under Donald Trump.

Indeed, the NEC agreed that the Government of National Unity (GNU) has entrenched a neoliberal policy framework that continues to be at the detriment of the working class, the transformational agenda of the National Democratic Revolution (NDR) and the weakening of the state. 

Furthermore, the NEC made analysis on the forthcoming 2026 Local Government Elections and agreed that although there are many issues that will shape the outcomes of the Local Government Elections, the issue of immigration is going to be used by parties as a rallying point for votes instead of confronting the real crisis of neoliberalism which has created the socio-economic challenges confronting our people.

The NEC expressed concern about the dangerous rise of reactionary and populist narratives, particularly around immigration. The NEC agreed that the root cause of the socio-economic crises primarily lies with our Neoliberal state whose capacity has been severely eroded by austerity measures, be it in the provision of healthcare and education, implementation of the migration laws, safe guarding of the boarders or policing.

In the final analysis on the state of our National Democratic Revolution, the NEC agreed that the current phase of the struggle requires the consolidation, deepening and advancement of the NDR. Therefore, the working class as the primary motive force must organisationally position itself to match the monumental strategic task of advancing the NDR in the current conjuncture.

Indeed, central to this task, the NEC agreed to strengthen the left-axis, rebuild organisational capacity of the federation and defend its founding principles, ideological and class orientation, and ensure that the unity and cohesion of the federation is sacrosanct, without abandoning the responsibility of fighting reformism and the poisonous political patronage within the Alliance. Furthermore, the NEC agreed to advance the radical class-oriented trade union perspective that sees the South African Communist Party (SACP) as the vanguard of the working class and the organized labour that is Marxist-Leninist in outlook as the advanced detachment with the broad mass working class and rural-poor.

The NEC concluded the national political situation by identifying political tasks for NEHAWU as follows:

• Strengthen an internal capacity for ideological education and political training,
• Continue to carry-out the mandate to influence COSATU and other working class formations to support the SACP in electoral contests.

• Continue to make initiatives of working with other organisations in health and education – in laying the building blocks of sectoral alliances as part of its contribution in the effort of building the Left Popular Front.
• Maintain its independence as a trade union and its relationship with the SACP as part of the COSATU mandate of strengthening the Socialist-Axis.
• Continue participating in the SACP programmes such as the People’s Red Caravan and the local government elections program.

Socio-Economic

The entry-point of the NEC for the overall assessment of the socio-economic situation was premised on the global economic outlook reflecting elevated uncertainty due persistent geopolitical tensions, financial market volatility and structural weaknesses in major economies.

Indeed these external pressures continue to expose the vulnerability of South Africa’s growth path, particularly its dependence on external demand and imported commodities such as oil. Rising fuel costs are already translating into increased food prices and a higher cost of living for workers and the poor.

Domestically, while there are marginal improvements in economic growth projections, the reality is that the economy remains trapped in a low-growth trajectory. Growth rates of around 1.6% to 2% are insufficient to meaningfully address the triple crisis of unemployment, poverty, and inequality.

The NEC expressed concern over government’s continued commitment to austerity under the guise of fiscal consolidation. The pursuance of austerity has weakened the capacity of the state to deliver services to our people and also undermined its developmental role which amongst others should include active state intervention, including scaled up public investment in infrastructure, industrial policy and job creation programmes.

The meeting expressed concern about the states’ structural reforms programme as being deeply intertwined with an expanding role for the private sector and the rolling-back of the state, which raises important concerns about the long-term implications for state capacity.

On Healthcare, the NEC noted the steady but substantial increases in budget allocations for healthcare since the passing of the NHI Bill by Parliament - from R277 billion in 2024/25 to R329 billion by 2027/28.

The NEC reaffirmed its unwavering support for the full and immediate implementation of the National Health Insurance [NHI]. Furthermore, the NEC outrightly condemned and rejects all attempts, including legal challenges and political manoeuvres, cynically meant to delay the implementation of the NHI. The NHI is a radical and progressive step towards government fulfilling a Constitutional obligation, in particular, Section 27, Subsection 1. Healthcare is a constitutional right.

The NEC agreed to convene an urgent meeting with the Minister of Health to address matters pertaining the permanent appointment of Community Healthcare Workers. Furthermore, the NEC agreed that the union consult with lawyers on the intention of taking the Department of Health to court over its non-implementation of the court order and the collective agreement on the permanent employment of Community Healthcare Workers.

On Education, the crisis in post-school education and training [PSET] further exposes the failures of the state. Thousands of qualifying students are excluded annually due to lack of funding and capacity, while student debt continues to rise. The stagnation of NSFAS funding and the slow expansion of institutions are unacceptable.

The NEC agreed that the PSET is faced with systemic and governance or management crises, which requires activism on the part of the unions and our allied students and youth organisations, with whom we have to build the front in the educations sector.

END

Issued by NEHAWU Secretariat.

International-Solidarity   

UITBB mourns the loss of com. Debanjan Chakraborti, former UITBB General Secretary

by WFTU HQ, 21 Mar 2026

UITBB mourns the loss of com. Debanjan Chakraborti, former UITBB General Secretary

The International Union of Trade Unions of Workers in the Building, Wood, Building Materials and Allied Industries (UITBB), extends its deepest condolences to the family, comrades, and the Construction Workers Federation of India (CWFI) on the profound loss of our dear comrade Debanjan Chakraborti.

Comrade Debanjan was far more than a former General Secretary of UITBB and a Vice President of CWFI—he was a tireless fighter, a revolutionary trade unionist whose entire life was dedicated to the cause of the working class. Fighting on a daily basis, from the construction sites of India to internationalisation of our struggle, he defended workers’ right with unwavering determination, always battling exploitation of humans by humans, trying to improve the lives of workers, fighting for dignity, safety, fair wages, social security, and the rights of construction workers who build the world but are always forgotten by it.

His voice was raised against capitalist greed, against precarious labour, against the employers who profit from the sweat and blood of the workers, while denying them basic rights. Com. Debanjan inspired generations of workers to fight against exploitation, and for better living and working conditions. In embodying international solidarity at its best, Comrade Debanjan always showed the militant spirit of international working-class unity.

Today we mourn not only the man, but the fighter who never backed down. His departure leaves a gap in our ranks—but it also leaves a clear path for us. The best tribute we can pay to Comrade Debanjan is to intensify the struggle: to build stronger unions, to fight against the attacks on labour rights, to win the battles he also fought, and to ensure that no worker is left behind.

In this hour of grief, the UITBB stands shoulder to shoulder with CWFI, with every construction worker in India, and with all who loved and respected comrade Debanjan.

Long live the memory of our comrade!

Long live the international working-class struggle!

______________________________

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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