Taking COSATU Today Forward, 7 July 2025
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #CosatuCallCentre number is 010 002 2590 #Cosatu@40 #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
7 July 2025
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- DITSELA Institute holds a Siyakhuluma Seminar-Is the Challenge on Employment Equity an assault on Transformation?
- Minister Welcomes SAPS fraud bust: Department to tighten Systems and Cooperate fully with law enforcement
- South Africa
- President Cyril Ramaphosa on statements by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner
- President Cyril Ramaphosa declares mourning period to honour the late former Deputy President David Mabuza
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- From margins to mainstream: Teachers with disabilities leading the way
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
DITSELA Institute holds a Siyakhuluma Seminar-Is the Challenge on Employment Equity an assault on Transformation?
Dear Comrades,
You’re cordially invited to DITSELA’s National Siyakhuluma Seminar.
Topic: Is the Challenge on Employment Equity an assault on Transformation?
Date: 08th July 2025
Time: 11H00AM- 13H00PM
Venue: ZOOM
https://ditsela-org-za.zoom.us/j/94152009081...
Meeting ID: 941 5200 9081
Passcode: 620707
Contact: nele...@ditsela.org.za or ma...@ditsela.org.za for any enquiries.
See you there!
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Minister Welcomes SAPS fraud bust: Department to tighten Systems and Cooperate fully with law enforcement
4 July 2025
Pretoria – The Minister of Employment and Labour, Ms. Nomakhosazana Meth, has welcomed the successful takedown operation led by the South African Police Service (SAPS) into an extensive fraud and corruption scam involving Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) claims. The coordinated operation in Bloemfontein, Bethlehem and Gauteng resulted in the arrest of several suspects, including a 42-year-old official stationed at Labour House in Bloemfontein. The arrests stem from an investigation into fraudulent UIF claims involving fictitious companies and stolen identities, with losses to the Department estimated to exceed R1.5 million.
“We are appalled by the betrayal of public trust by individuals who seek to enrich themselves through criminal means, especially where these crimes involve our own staff," said Minister Meth. “Such acts not only undermine our systems but also rob deserving South Africans of support during times of need."
The Minister has confirmed that the Department is fully cooperating with SAPS and other law enforcement agencies. Internal investigations and disciplinary procedures will be activated against implicated employees.
“We commend SAPS for its professionalism, and we will leave no stone unturned in dealing with fraud and corruption in the Department, its Funds and Entities. The Department is reviewing its internal controls and will intensify risk management, fraud prevention, and system audit processes across all its operating environment," the Minister added.
As part of its anti-corruption drive, the Department is also considering establishing a Special Anti-Fraud and Integrity Task Team to be reporting directly to the Director General. The Special Anti-Fraud Task Team will work closely with law enforcement in rooting out criminal elements and preventing recurrence. The arrested suspects are expected to appear before the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Monday, 8 July 2025, and further arrests are imminent as investigations continue.
“Let this be a strong warning, unethical conduct will not be tolerated. We will ensure accountability and transparency in our operations. Crime will not go unpunished," concluded Minister Nomakhosazana Meth.
ENDS//
Media enquiries:
Ms. Thobeka Magcai, Ministry Spokesperson. Email: Thobeka...@Labour.gov.za| Mobile: 072 737 2205.
Issued by: MINISTRY OF EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR DATE: 4 JULY 2025
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President Cyril Ramaphosa on statements by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner
06 Jul 2025
President @CyrilRamaphosa has noted statements made earlier today in a media briefing by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
President Ramaphosa said: “This is a matter of grave national security concern that is receiving the highest priority attention. It is vital that the integrity of the country’s security services is safeguarded and that the rule of law is affirmed.”
“All parties to this matter are called upon to exercise discipline and restraint. The trading of accusations and counter-accusations threatens to undermine public confidence and sow confusion.
Furthermore, these actions damage the unity and focus of the police.”
President Ramaphosa will outline the actions to be taken on this matter on his return from the BRICS Leaders’ Summit currently underway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Issued by The Presidency
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06 Jul 2025
President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that the former Deputy President David Dabede Mabuza will be honoured with a State Funeral Category 2 on Saturday, 12 July 2025.
Deputy President Mabuza, 64, passed away on Thursday, 3 July 2025, following a short illness.
In terms of the State, Official and Provincial Official Funeral Policy Manual of The Presidency, the State Funeral Category 2 is reserved for the Deputy President of the Republic, an Acting President and Former Deputy Presidents.
The State Funeral Category 2 is conducted with prescribed military ceremonial honours.
The funeral of Former Deputy President Mabuza will take place in Mpumalanga. Closer details will be announced in the coming days.
While preparations unfold, President Ramaphosa has declared that Days of National Mourning be observed from tomorrow, Monday, 07 July 2025, until the evening of Saturday, 12 July.
During this period, the National Flag must be flown at half mast at all flag stations around the country.
President Ramaphosa reiterates his deep condolences to the Mabuza family.
The President wishes the family strength as they and the nation reflect on the life of a family member, activist, educator, intellectual and leader in government who contributed greatly to the attainment of freedom and development in our society.
Media enquiries:
Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – me...@presidency.gov.za
Issued by The Presidency
International-Solidarity
From margins to mainstream: Teachers with disabilities leading the way
Equity and inclusion, 4 July 2025
“Leave no one behind! Nothing for us without us!” This was the rallying cry of the recent webinar, “Voices from the Margins: Perspectives of Teachers with Disabilities in Mainstream Education.” As the world moves towards inclusive education, the focus on teachers with disabilities remains critically under-addressed. At the event, the Learning Generation Initiative (LGI) launched its latest research synthesis, exploring the barriers faced by these educators across their professional lifecycle—from recruitment to deployment, retention, and progression. And experts and advocates shed light on the often-overlooked experiences of teachers with disabilities, calling for systemic changes to ensure their inclusion in the education workforce.
Highlighting teacher voices
The research, funded by the What Works Hub for Global Education (WWHGE), places teacher voices at the center of the conversation. Nidhi Singal, Professor of Disability and Inclusive Education at the University of Cambridge, emphasized the importance of a diverse teacher workforce: “Diverse learners need a diverse teacher workforce. Teachers’ diversity fosters inclusivity in schools.” Singal also highlighted the impact of teachers with disabilities on normalizing diversity in the classroom and answering the need for supportive communities, mentors, and empathic leaders.
Current state of policies and data
Katie Godwin, Research Consultant at The Education Commission, presented the current state of data and policies for teachers with disabilities. “Half of the surveyed countries have some forms of policies that speak to issues of representation of teachers with disabilities, but only Kenya sets specific targets for their recruitment.” She stressed the importance of including a category on disabilities in routine data collection to address critical issues such as representation and employment.
Global perspectives and advocacy
Fred Haga, Director for Special Needs Education at Kenya's Ministry of Education, outlined the need for policies addressing recruitment, working environments, and professional development for teachers with disabilities.
Dr. Heike Kuhn, Head of Unit, Education at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and Co-Chair of the UNESCO Teacher Task Force, highlighted the global shortage of teachers and the importance of funding for teachers with disabilities: “Funding shouldn’t be a limit. It’s money well invested; it’s about dignity and respect for people who work there.” She also stressed that “people, teachers with disabilities, are often overlooked. The Global Disability Forum held this year the teachers’ voices to the highest level. And teachers with disabilities represent a specific group in the Teacher Task Force.”
For Esther Mbite, Executive Director at Voice of Women with Disability, “the best way teachers with disabilities can be helped is via disabled-friendly infrastructures (classroom, light, etc.). You can use the knowledge you have, but you need the proper material. Also, if the school management develops a good attitude towards teachers with disabilities, this attitude will spread to other teachers and students.”
The role of unions and advocacy groups
Alan Hackett of NASUWT – The Teachers' Union in the United Kingdom – an Education International (EI) member organization – discussed the role of unions in supporting teachers with disabilities, making a difference in three key areas: advocacy, negotiations, and representation. “I was elected as NASUWT representative as an able-bodied teacher. I see things from a different perspective now.”
He also highlighted the importance of access for promotion and better pay, stating: “Teachers with disabilities should have a checklist when they go for job interviews: do you have a lift? A special parking space? Technology available? Assistance available?”
“We are part of a worldwide teachers’ network, and we sent representatives to the EI’s World Congresses,” he added. At these events, delegates from all regions of the globe adopted resolutions on the topic, i.e. A new approach to disability and The rights of disabled children and teachers.
Moving forward
The webinar concluded with a call to action for participants to share the report, advocate for teachers with disabilities globally and nationally, and collect data to support their inclusion.
As the world pushes forward with efforts to transform education systems, the inclusion of teachers with disabilities must be part of the agenda. As Alan Hackett aptly put it, "It is time for education systems worldwide to adopt a new approach to disability, ensuring that no teacher is left behind.
You can also read the blog Empowering educators with disabilities: The Japan Teachers' Union's commitment to inclusive education, written by Mariko Takamatsu ahead of the Global Disability Forum.
The blog by Nidhi Singal, Not the exception, but essential: Teachers with disabilities in mainstream classrooms, is available here.
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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