Taking COSATU Today Forward, 14 November 2025 #Cosatu@40 #Cosatu40thAnniversary
Norman Mampane
|
COSATU TODAY #Cosatu launches #VioletSeboniBrigade to mobilise communities in Soweto for #Cosatu40thAnniversary #COP30noBrasil#JustTransition #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
14 November 2025
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
Organize at every workplace and demand respect for labour rights Now!
Defend Jobs Now!
Join COSATU NOW!
Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- Applications for media accreditation to cover COSATU 40th Anniversary rally officially opened
- COSATU to host lectures in the lead up to 40th anniversary
- South Africa
- Home Affairs gives factual update on arrival of travellers from Palestine
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Afghanistan : Humanitarian Relief for Teachers Affected by the Earthquake in Kunar
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
Applications for media accreditation to cover COSATU 40th Anniversary rally officially opened
Zanele Sabela, COSATU National Spokesperson,10 November 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) invites all members of the media to apply for accreditation to attend and cover the Federation’s historic 40th Anniversary rally. This momentous event is scheduled to take place on 6 December at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto.
COSATU was launched on 1 December 1985, at the height of the struggle against apartheid. Its formation brought together 33 competing unions and federations that were opposed to apartheid but committed to a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa.
Alliance partners, local and international guests have been invited to celebrate 40 years of this vibrant movement advancing, defending and protecting the interests and rights of workers and the working class in South Africa and beyond.
Applications for accreditation may be submitted to mam...@cosatu.org.za or non...@cosatu.org.za with the following details:
Name:
Surname:
ID number:
Media House/Address:
Contact number/email:
Alternatively, an application form can be completed via this link:
COSATU 40th Anniversary Media Accreditation Application Form – Fill out form
Issued by COSATU
Zanele Sabela (National Spokesperson)
Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639
Email: zan...@cosatu.org.za
____________________
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:
North-West
Date:
19 November
Topic: Strengthening Industrial Unions to build a militant COSATU
Main Speaker: Mike Shingange, COSATU 1st Deputy President
Province:
Eastern Cape
Date:
20 November
Topic: COSATU and the Reconfiguration of the Alliance
Main Speaker: Duncan Luvuno, COSATU 2nd Deputy President
Province:
Gauteng
Date:
21 November
Topic: COSATU and the Mass Democratic Movement
Main Speaker: Zingiswa Losi, COSATU President
Issued by COSATU
Home Affairs gives factual update on arrival of travellers from Palestine
14 Nov 2025
After
receiving reports from the relevant officials, the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, can provide the public with the following update on the facts surrounding the processing of travellers from Palestine at O.R. Tambo International Airport. Yesterday,
13 November 2025, a chartered flight arrived in Johannesburg from Nairobi, Kenya. Upon arrival, the 153 travellers on board were facilitated through the relevant immigration processes by officials from the Border Management Authority (BMA).
During the process, BMA officials noticed the absence of departure stamps in some of their passports, as well as the fact that a number of travellers did not appear to have return tickets or addresses for their accommodation in South Africa. Importantly, as
with many other countries, holders of ordinary Palestinian passports enjoy 90-day visa-exempt access to South Africa, subject to security and verification procedures, including to protect travellers.
As a result of the identified discrepancies in this case, the BMA could not allow them entry right away, as further verifications had to be undertaken. While these processes were unfolding, vulnerable members of the travelling company were disembarked onto
airconditioned busses. The Government of South Africa subsequently interacted with the Palestinian embassy and other role-players. It was established that the absence of stamps, return tickets and accommodation addresses did not indicate that the travellers
wished to apply for asylum.
As a result, once it was confirmed that they would be provided with accommodation and care during their visit, the Minister of Home Affairs presented the new fact set to the BMA Commissioner for consideration, including on humanitarian grounds. Once satisfied
that the absence of certain elements from their itinerary would not leave them destitute in South Africa in the absence of any asylum claims, the travellers were granted entry into South Africa on the standard 90-day visa exemption, subject to compliance with
the standard conditions.
By the time that entry was granted, 23 members of the group had already taken onward flights to other destinations. All of the travellers are in possession of valid passports and, at present, none of them have applied for asylum. The Department of Home Affairs
has further taken note of a statement issued on social media this morning by the Palestinian embassy, indicating that “the travel of these 153 Palestinians was arranged by an unregistered and misleading organization that exploited the tragic humanitarian conditions
of our people in Gaza, deceived families, collected money from them, and facilitated their travel in an irregular and irresponsible manner.
This entity later attempted to disown any responsibility once complications arose.” The Department will continue to work with the Palestinian embassy and the rest of the South African security cluster to probe these claims. However, even as we do so, we remain
steadfast in our commitment to safeguarding the dignity of vulnerable people at all times.
Media Enquiries:
Carli Van Wyk
Spokesperson to the Minister
Cell: 0791663899
Issued by Department of Home Affairs
International-Solidarity
Afghanistan : Humanitarian Relief for Teachers Affected by the Earthquake in Kunar
Solidarity in emergencies, November 2025
On 31 August 2025, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Kunar Province in eastern Afghanistan. The tremor caused catastrophic damage killing more than 2,500 people, injuring thousands, and destroying homes, as well as many schools.
In this context of devastation, Education International (EI) and its affiliate, the National Teachers Elected Council (NTEC), mobilized quickly to provide humanitarian assistance to unionized teachers affected by the disaster. This initiative illustrates the solidarity and commitment of the global education community through EI.
The earthquake left many families displaced, worsening the challenges faced by an already fragile education system. Aftershocks and landslides further slowed relief efforts, isolating vulnerable communities. According to official reports, the quake killed 391 students and three teachers and injured 760 students and 20 teachers. Kunar’s education department reported that 53 schools were destroyed and 253 partially damaged, severely hindering the start of the new academic year.
Scope of Assistance
A total of 60 teachers from different schools in the province received financial aid. Each beneficiary was granted 5,500 Afghanis (approximately $80), ensuring immediate support for basic needs during recovery.
Beneficiaries came from two districts, Sawkey and Noorgal, representing a wide network of 26 educational institutions, including primary and secondary schools. These schools are vital pillars of education in rural Afghanistan.
“When the earthquake struck, some colleagues lost everything, including their homes. Support from the EI solidarity fund means that unionised teachers and their families can buy food and stay safe while they rebuild,” said Mr Fazel, leader of NTEC.
Teachers expressed deep gratitude
“Our school was damaged, and classes stopped. This relief gives us hope that education will continue for our children,” shared Abdul Hamid, a secondary school teacher in Sawkey.
“As a woman teacher in a rural area, it is hard to recover from such a disaster. This help reminds me that we are not alone,” noted Sima, one of the few female educators in Sawkey.
While most recipients were male teachers, few women also received hardship relief. The predominance of male teachers reflects the demographic reality of teaching staff in rural Kunar.
Education Scarcity Before the Earthquake
Even before the disaster, Kunar’s education sector was struggling. According to local education officials, nearly 50,000 children in remote areas lacked access to formal schools. The province had 484 schools, of which 280 lacked proper buildings, forcing students to study in houses or outdoors under trees and along walls for shade.
Educators and families had long called for construction of school buildings and expansion of secondary education opportunities in mountainous areas. This chronic shortage of infrastructure amplified the earthquake impact: destroying makeshift classrooms and leaving thousands of children without any learning space.
The relief operation was led by NTEC’s Kunar province leader, Mr Hayatullah Tawhidi, prioritizing unionised teachers in the distribution of hardship allowances. Despite logistical challenges caused by blocked roads and aftershocks, the initiative succeeded in delivering timely assistance to educators who play a critical role in community resilience.
EI and NTEC’s intervention demonstrates the strength of collective action to protect teachers’ wellbeing during emergencies.
______________________________
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