Taking COSATU Today Forward, 25 November 2025 #Cosatu40 #Cosatu40thAnniversary
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #COSATU ordinary Central Executive Committee is in session this week at Braamfontein #Cosatu40 #VioletSeboniBrigade #Cosatu40thAnniversary #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
25 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!
- Swinging for Dignity: COSATU and President Ramaphosa Tee Off for a Cause
- Applications for media accreditation to cover COSATU 40th Anniversary rally officially opened
- South Africa
- SADTU statement on the 16-days of activism for no violence against women and children
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Belém Action Mechanism on Just Transition: A breakthrough for workers amid major failures at COP30
- UNiTE: IndustriALL calls affiliates to action during the 16 days of activism
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
Swinging for Dignity: COSATU and President Ramaphosa Tee Off for a Cause
Zanele Sabela, COSATU National Spokesperson, 24 November 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is thrilled to announce its second annual Charity Golf Challenge, an inspiring event where labour, business and government unite on the green for a great cause. Members of the media are warmly invited to attend and cover this unique blend of sport, leadership and social impact.
This flagship initiative is more than a Corporate Social Investment project — it is a powerful demonstration of COSATU’s unwavering commitment to social justice and restoring dignity in communities beyond the workplace.
In a true celebration of Ubuntu, President Cyril Ramaphosa will join COSATU leaders, government departments and business partners on the golf course to help raise funds for its activities, school shoes and sanitary packs for underprivileged learners. Every swing will contribute to changing a child’s school experience and supporting their confidence and wellbeing.
Join us for a remarkable day of purpose-driven play:
COSATU Charity Golf Challenge
- Date: Thursday, 04 December 2025
- Presidential Tee off: 10:40
- Participants Tee off: 11:00 (Shotgun Start)
- Venue: Country Club Johannesburg (CCJ Woodmead)
The challenge will be followed by an elegant Gala Dinner at 18.30, where the day’s achievements will be celebrated and partners honoured.
Members of the media wishing to attend are invited to send their details to non...@cosatu.org.za
Issued by COSATU
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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
SADTU statement on the 16-days of activism for no violence against women and children
Dr. Mugwena Maluleke, SADTU General Secretary, 25 November 2025
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) joins the global community in observing the 16-Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign. This campaign, observed annually from 25 November to 10 December aims to raise awareness and galvanise action against gender-based violence (GBV).
In South Africa, the 2025 campaign is observed under the theme: “Letsema: Men, Women, Boys and Girls working together to end Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. Globally, the United Nations has adopted the theme, “UNiTE to end digital violence against all women and girls.
SADTU fully supports both themes as they highlight the necessity of unity and collaboration across society. Men, women, boys, and girls must stand and work together to end the scourge of GBV and femicide.
This year’s campaign coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action which commits the international community to achieve gender equality and to provide better opportunities for women and girls.
It also follows the recent declaration by the Ministry of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs, recognising gender-based violence and femicide a national disaster. SADTU welcomes this important step. Although the declaration does not invoke emergency powers, it underscores the urgent need for a centralised and coordinated national response that strengthens existing systems.
SADTU calls for a more coherent and prioritised approach to GBV cases across all sectors, including the swift processing of cases and improved support for survivors.
As a union in the education space, we recognise the critical role teachers play in confronting one of the root causes of GBV – deeply entrenched patriarchal norms. Teachers are instrumental in shaping the minds, raising consciousness, and nurturing critical thinking. They help learners to analyse their own experiences and societal conditions, enabling them to better understand and challenge injustices and inequality.
During the 16 Days period, SADTU will intensify awareness campaigns and advocate strongly for the training of teachers to address School Related Gender Based Violence. We reaffirm, however, that the fight against GBV must extend beyond 16 days. It is an ongoing year-long commitment.
SADTU is steadfast in its mission to ensure safe schools, safe communities and a society that is free from all forms of violence through its “I Am a School Fan” campaign.
ISSUED BY: SADTU Secretariat
International-Solidarity
Belém Action Mechanism on Just Transition: A breakthrough for workers amid major failures at COP30
24 November 2025
The decision at the COP30 climate talks to create a Belém Action Mechanism (BAM) for Just Transition is a major victory for workers and their trade unions.
For the first time ever workers and their unions will have a formal role in shaping just transition policies through the UNFCCC.
This landmark decision follows years of persistent advocacy by the international trade union movement as well as by allies in environmental, climate justice, women and gender, youth and Indigenous peoples’ organisations. It recognises that organising worker participation, protecting labour rights, ensuring social protection and decent work are essential for ambitious and fair climate action.
“The Belém Action Mechanism is a decisive win for the union movement and working people across the world, in all sectors but especially those in transition industries.”ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle
“We now need to ensure that the BAM is operational in the coming year, delivering real results and putting decent jobs, labour rights and social justice at the heart of climate solutions.
“The next year will be crucial to ensure that the new Just Transition Mechanism delivers concrete support to countries around the world and that social partners, civil society and the ILO are part of its governance.
“But we must also be clear: COP30 failed to deliver the ambition that science and workers demanded.”
Overall COP30 outcomes fell far short of what is needed in terms of climate mitigation, adaptation and finance:
No roadmap to phase out fossil fuels in a ‘just, orderly and equitable manner’, as established at COP28.
No justice package to support workers and communities on the front lines of the transition.
No credible plan to close the gap between national climate commitments (NDCs) and the Paris Agreement objectives on reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Weak pledges on adaptation finance, with critical targets delayed to 2035.
A broken process marked by very rigid consensus rules and a lack of transparency in final negotiations.
Luc Triangle commented: “There can be no Just Transition if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, affecting workers and communities worldwide, if governments are unable to shield citizens from the impacts of a warming planet and if countries in the Global South cannot access climate funding.”
However, as well as the decision to develop the BAM, key wins for social justice included:
Inclusion of labour rights, decent work, and social protection in the BAM mandate.
Recognition of the ILO Just Transition Guidelines as a foundation for implementation.
Renewal of the Gender Action Plan, with Just Transition explicitly referenced.
“The ITUC will continue working to ensure that the BAM is governed by and for workers, and that it drives real-world climate policies that are socially just and inclusive.”ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle
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UNiTE: IndustriALL calls affiliates to action during the 16 days of activism
24 November, 2025
From 25 November to 10 December, IndustriALL joins the United Nations’ UNiTE campaign for the 16 Days of Activism, this year under the theme: “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls.”Every woman and girl in our industries, in our unions and across our societies has the right to live, organize and work without violence, offline or online. This is non-negotiable. Digital spaces have become as central to work as the factory floor, yet they have also become a frontline for misogyny, harassment and attacks on women trade unionists, activists and leaders.
A rising threat: online misogyny is shaping violence in the real world
The explosion of digital violence, sharing personal information, cyberstalking, hate speech, image-based abuse, gendered disinformation, is not a fringe issue. It is a structural one, rooted in the same unequal power relations, patriarchal norms and misogyny that drive violence in the workplace and in communities.
A global study reveals that 58 per cent of girls and young women have experienced online harassment,while 44 per cent of the world’s women and girls live in countries without any legal protection reinforcing a culture of impunity.
At IndustriALL’s Women’s Conference, held just days before Congress in Sydney, women delegates raised the alarm: the rapid normalisation of online hate is directly harming women workers' safety, silencing their voices and weakening their ability to participate fully in unions and public life. The testimonies underscored one truth, online violence is workplace violence.
IndustriALL’s Congress makes a historic commitment
At the 4th Congress in Sydney, affiliates made it clear that through the new Action Plan that fighting all forms of discrimination, violence and harassment, including GBVH, misogyny and sexism, is central to our mission as a global union.
Congress adopted a powerful feminist resolution that demands:
Institutionalised GBVH prevention and response in collective agreements, workplace policies and national labour frameworks.
Greater participation of women in decision-making across unions and industries.
Survivor-centred, gender-sensitive reporting systems grounded in safety, dignity and accountability.
Strong resistance to the global anti-feminist backlash, including rising authoritarian repression and right-wing attacks threatening gender equality and hard-won rights.
Intersectional, gender-transformative approaches rooted in the lived realities of women workers.
This political commitment reflects years of work by women in IndustriALL and its affiliates and a growing recognition that gender-based violence and harassment, including digital forms, undermines everything unions fight for: freedom, equality, democracy and justice.
Our affiliates are already leading: good practices from around the world
Across regions, IndustriALL affiliates continue to transform workplaces by tackling GBVH through collective bargaining, education, organizing and advocacy.
Some examples from the Women’s Report 2019–2025 include:
Indonesia: safe houses and zero-tolerance policies
After years of coordination and lobbying by IndustriALL’s Indonesia women’s committee, the Ministry introduced safe house policies in industrial zones, offering secure spaces for women to report cases and receive training. Unions negotiated zero-tolerance GBVH clauses implemented in over 90 factories.
Tunisia: a new centre for women’s safety and empowerment
A centre jointly run by IndustriALL and the FGTHCC-UGTT now provides women workers with training, support and a safe environment to report violence or harassment.
Global ratification of ILO Convention 190
Over 50 countries have ratified the ILO C190. IndustriALL and its affiliates have played a major role in the campaigns leading to ILO C190 ratification in countries including Uruguay, Nigeria, Peru and Argentina, a foundation for addressing all forms of violence and harassment in the world of work, including digital abuse.
These achievements demonstrate what unions can accomplish when they mobilize and why the 16 days are a crucial moment to accelerate this work.
Digital violence is a union issue and unions have the tools to fight it
IndustriALL’s policy on GBVH, misogyny and sexism, adopted in 2023, provides clear guidance for affiliates on preventing violence and shifting entrenched norms. Digital abuse is embedded throughout this policy, including its bargaining recommendations and leadership accountability mechanisms.
Unions can act by:
Negotiating workplace policies that prohibit online harassment and digital abuse.
Integrating digital GBVH into OSH systems and risk assessments, aligned with ILO C190.
Providing training for workers and especially young members on recognising, reporting and preventing digital violence.
Ensuring safe, confidential reporting mechanisms and survivor-centred support.
Advocating for strong national legislation and enforcement.
Working with civil society and tech accountability campaigns to hold platforms and companies responsible.
Digital tools must empower, not endanger. And unions must be at the centre of that transformation.
A subtle echo from Sydney: power, solidarity, momentum
At the Women’s Conference, women from all regions, young workers, leaders, organizers and first-time delegates, shared experiences of online and offline violence. The emotion was unmistakable, but so was the collective strength.
The message they carried into Congress was clear:
Unions must adapt, stand stronger, bargain smarter and confront the digital dimension of GBVH with the same determination we bring to the shop floor.
The 16 Days of Activism offer affiliates a chance to build on that momentum
“Digital violence is real violence. It follows women home, into their workplaces, onto their phones and into every space where they dare to lead. Across our movement, refuse to be silenced. The commitments made in Sydney are powerful, but they only come alive when unions act. During these 16 Days, I call on every affiliate to take a clear stand: negotiate protections, strengthen reporting systems, educate members and make our digital spaces safe. Ending violence is not optional. It is the path to justice, equality and democracy and our unions must lead the way,”
says Christine Olivier, IndustriALL assistant general secretary
Join the 16 Days: take action, share your voice, mobilize
IndustriALL calls on all affiliates to actively take part in the 16 Days of Activism, starting 25 November.
What you can do:
Organize trainings, workshops, communications, workplace actions.
Share good practices and testimonies.
Promote ILO C190 and your bargaining achievements.
Highlight digital violence as a workplace and union issue.
Share your photos and actions using the hashtag #NoExcuse and #ALLwomen
Campaign materials and resources:
UN Women UNiTE Campaign Theme Page: click here
IndustriALL Women’s Conference summary: click here
IndustriALL training and resources on GBVH (ILO C190 toolkits, briefings, modules) click 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