Taking COSATU Today Forward, 15 September 2025 #CosatuCC2025
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #Cosatu kick-off its ordinary 8th Central Committee at Benoni #CosatuCC2025 #Cosatu@40 #WorkerControl #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
15 September 2025
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- COSATU 8th Central Committee Proposed Program held under the Theme: “Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism.”
- South Africa
- COSATU welcomes Minister Parks Tau's progressive decision to withdraw the draft National Credit Act Regulations
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- General strike on 22 September against genocide – We don’t work for war – down with weapons,up with wages
- IndustriALL women lead push for equality ahead of Congress
- International Relations and Cooperation condemns Israeli attack on Qatari territory
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
COSATU 8th Central Committee Proposed Program is held under the Theme: “Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism.”
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Day One |
Chairperson |
Time |
Item |
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15th September |
Mike Shingange, COSATU 1st Deputy President |
10h00 |
Opening and welcome |
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10h05-10h25 |
Choir Singing Inkosi Sikelel’ IAfrika, The Internationale and Solidarity Forever |
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10h25-10h30 |
Health and Safety Procedure |
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10h30-10h40 |
Presentation of the Credentials Report |
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10h40-10h50 |
Adoption of Central Committee Rules |
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10h50-11h00 |
Confirmation of the Minutes of the 7th Central Committee Meeting |
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11h10-11h20 |
Central Committee Roll Call |
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11h20-12h45 |
Opening Address by Cosatu President Zingiswa Losi |
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12h15-12h20 |
Acknowledgement of Guests |
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12h20-12h40 |
Address by SANCO |
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12h40-13h45 |
Address by ANC |
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13h25-14h45 |
Lunch |
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14h45-15h20 |
Address by SACP |
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15h20-18h00 |
Presentation of the Secretariat Report, Political and Organizational Sections |
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18h30 |
Central Committee Adjourns |
Day Two:
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15th September |
Chairperson: Zingiswa Losi, COSATU President |
09h00-10h25 |
Presentation of Secretariat Report, Socio-Economic and International Section |
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10h25-17h00 |
Break into Commissions |
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17h00-19h00 |
Resolutions Consolidation and Drafting begin |
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19h00 |
Supper and cultural evening until 21h30 |
Day Three:
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17th September |
Chairperson: Duncan Luvuno, COSATU 2nd Deputy President |
09h00-10h00 |
International Message of Support from Fraternal Organizations, including WFTU and ITUC |
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10h00-13h30 |
Report Back from Commissions and Resolutions Discussions |
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14h45-16h45 |
Report Back from Commissions and Resolutions Discussions continues… |
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16h45-18h00 |
Resolutions Consolidation and Drafting continues…. |
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18h00 |
Central Committee Adjourns |
Day Four:
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18th September |
Mike Shingange, COSATU 1st Deputy President |
09h00-11h30 |
Presentation of the Central Committee Declaration, Discussions and Adoption |
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11h30-12h00 |
Closing Remarks by COSATU President, Zingiswa Losi |
COSATU welcomes Minister Parks Tau's progressive decision to withdraw the draft National Credit Act Regulations
Matthew Parks, COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator, 12 September 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) welcomes the Minister for Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr. Parks Tau’s progressive decision to withdraw the draft National Credit Act Regulations in response to concerns that they could have had the unintended consequences of blacklisting student debt and the subsequent impact upon the ability of students to find work.
We appreciate the Department’s assurances that this was not the intention, that matters could have been better communicated and sensitive issues became embroiled in misunderstandings. Democracy is by its nature noisy, and South Africa’s is no exception. We are pleased that Minister Tau responded with the necessary political maturity and humility to swiftly address the concerns sparked by the draft Regulations.
This is precisely the kind of leadership needed to resolve society’s often complex and even contradictory challenges.
A broader and more holistic debate is needed on how we can ensure that the clarion call of the Freedom Charter that “the doors of learning and culture shall be opened” to all is a lived reality for all South Africans, in particular the working-class, and not merely those who can afford increasingly unaffordable fees to access tertiary and even basic education.
One of the major transformational success stories of government led by the African National Congress, has been the millions of young African, Coloured and Indian students who have been able to acquire tertiary qualifications, in particular those who have received funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
This has helped uplift millions from absolute poverty and begun to chip away at the still painful legacies of apartheid and colonialism.
Particular attention needs to be paid to the:
- Struggles of thousands of tertiary graduates to find work.
- Increasing numbers of working-class families who no longer qualify for NSFAS due to its threshold not being adjusted for inflation and how to mobilise greater funding for NSFAS.
- Relevance of the skills and qualifications provided by universities, colleges and Sectoral Education Training Authorities (SETAs) to the employability of graduates and workers and the needs of the economy of not only today, but also the future.
- Large numbers of students who do not complete their tertiary education.
- Allegations of serious corruption and wastage affecting many SETAs.
These are all outside of the responsibilities of a Minister for Trade, Industry and Competition; but as highlighted by the legitimate concerns raised in response to the now withdrawn draft Regulations, need to be resolved not only to ensure graduates find work and are not suffocating with student debt, but also to ensure that all children have a path to post-schooling education and that the economy has the skilled workforce it requires to grow, overcome structural unemployment, tackle poverty and inequality, and provide that better life for all.
Issued by COSATU
International-Solidarity
BY CENTRAL WFTU, 12 SEP 2025
In Gaza and throughout Palestine, Israel is committing horrific crimes, including the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, more than children, hundreds of doctors and healthcare workers buried under the rubble of bombed hospitals, and more than 200 journalists.
Countless UN resolutions have been violated, and thousands of women and elderly people have been killed while queuing for a bowl of rice.
Nevertheless, many European Union governments, including Meloni’s, continue to maintain institutional, commercial and military relations with the Israeli state. Italy continues to be at the forefront of arms sales to the Israeli army.
A major humanitarian initiative organised entirely from the ground up is seeking to deliver aid to the people of Gaza. However, the Israeli government has announced that it will treat the crews of the Global Sumud Flotilla as terrorists.
Workers at Genoa port have launched an appeal spreading around the world: if the flotilla is attacked, they will block everything.
The USB has called for a general strike on 22 September.
However, the strike is not only in opposition to the genocide of the Palestinian people, but also to defend a humanitarian operation and break the siege of Gaza. It is also against war and the huge increase in military spending.
The Meloni government is doing nothing to stop Israel, yet is dramatically increasing spending on building and purchasing new weapons. There is no money for increasing wages, combatting precariousness, creating an efficient healthcare system, increasing minimum pensions or reducing the number of years of work required to reach retirement. However, tens of billions are being allocated to arms factories.
IF THEY ATTACK THE FLOTILLA, WE WILL BLOCK EVERYTHING!
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IndustriALL women lead push for equality ahead of Congress
10 September, 2025
Preparations for IndustriALL women’s conference and November Congress in Sydney are well under way, which will be an assessment of work undertaken to promote gender equality and women’s rights.
The women’s conference, will be held in two sessions — online on 18-19 September and in-person on the 3 November in Sydney ahead of IndustriALL Congress.
By analysing what we have achieved and identifying the areas that still need our focus, we can define our future priorities in Sydney, guided by the Action Plan. What actions should we develop to address the challenges that female workers will face in the years ahead?
The discussions will enable a roadmap to be drawn up, setting expected results for the next four years and debate how to measure and monitor progress.
The discussion on the participatory gender audit (PGA) findings and recommendations would be key as it provides clear guidance on how IndustriALL can strengthen its work on gender equality over the next four years and the upcoming women’s conference will be a crucial step in turning these recommendations into action.
The women's conference will discuss and explore how to address the three priority areas underscored in the PGA: mainstreaming gender throughout all of IndustriALL work, strengthening women’s leadership and promoting men’s allyship in advancing gender equality and women’s participation in leadership.
Exploring ways to promoting women’s leadership will be key in the debates in the conference. While progress has been made, women remain underrepresented in trade union leadership, particularly in certain industries. There is a need to address the grassroots causes of this gap, from barriers to union participation to structural discrimination and to develop concrete tools and instruments to support women leaders at every level of the movement.
The conference will also investigate how to engage men allies in building equality and ensuring women’s voices are heard and respected. The role of male leaders to actively support gender equality is key, not only by endorsing women’s participation but by taking responsibility for making unions more inclusive.
“Women belong in every space where decisions are made about workers’ rights and the future of our industries. This conference is not only about addressing inequality, it is about reshaping our movement to reflect the reality of our membership. When women lead, unions are stronger, fairer and more representative. That is why this work matters and why we must make space, build support and ensure women’s voices are heard at every level,” said IndustriALL assistant general secretary, Christina Olivier.
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International Relations and Cooperation condemns Israeli attack on Qatari territory
10 Sep 2025
The South African Government unequivocally condemns the illegal and unprovoked attack carried out by the Israeli Defence Force in Doha, Qatar, which targeted a civilian building in a residential area, which purportedly housed members of the Political Bureau of Hamas.
This attack on Qatari territory constitutes a blatant violation of international law, breaching the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, while also compromising the safeguarding of civilians as outlined in the United Nations Charter and international humanitarian law.
This flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State of Qatar comes against the background of the Government of Qatar playing a prominent role as facilitator to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages held by Hamas.
South Africa extends its support to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the Government of the State of Qatar.
The Government of South Africa calls for an immediate ceasefire in Israel’s genocidal war against the Palestinian people, as well as to cease its military actions so that negotiations to a just peace can commence.
Enquiries:
Mr Chrispin Phiri
Spokesperson for the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Cell: [Insert contact number if available]
Issued by Department of International Relations and Cooperation
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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