Taking COSATU Today Forward, 6 July 2026
Norman Mampane
|
COSATU TODAY COSATU Call Center Contacts: 010 002 2590 #NationaActionAgainstCostOfLiving Campaign continues… #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
6 July 2026
“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!
- NUM condemns threats to the life of its Branch Chairperson amid organisational rights dispute at IMPALA MMM 1 Shaft
- Media Invite to the SAMWU National Day of Action
- SADTU KZN Statement on the passing away of Cde Sphamandla Mpanza
- South Africa
- SACP Politburo Statement
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- "The biggest emergency in education": 258 million children living under war, climate shocks, and displacement
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics #ClassWar
NUM condemns threats to the life of its Branch Chairperson amid organisational rights dispute at IMPALA MMM 1 Shaft
William Shiko, NUM Rustenburg Region Deputy Secretary, 05 July 2026
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) expresses its grave concern and outright condemnation of the death threats directed at its Branch Chairperson at Impala MMM 1 Shaft. These threats have occurred amidst the union's ongoing struggle to secure organisational rights for its members.
This incident takes place against the backdrop of a protracted organisational rights dispute, where NUM has been pursuing lawful recognition in terms of the Labour Relations Act. NUM maintains that workers have a constitutional right to freely choose a trade union without fear, intimidation, victimisation, or violence. The union believes these threats constitute a serious attack not only on an individual leader but also on the democratic rights of workers who choose to associate with NUM. Such conduct directly undermines labour peace, workplace democracy, and the rule of law.
NUM commends the South African Police Service (SAPS) for acting swiftly and professionally. The case was initially reported at the Phokeng Police Station before being transferred to the Boitekong Police Station for further investigation.
Through the diligent efforts of SAPS, three suspects were apprehended on 6 June 2026 at Impala No. 8 Shaft near the clinic. The suspects, who had allegedly been stalking the NUM Branch Chairperson for some time, were found in possession of two unlicensed firearms and a stolen vehicle. They have since been charged and have appeared before the Tlhabane Magistrate's Court on two separate occasions, where bail was successfully opposed due to the severity of the allegations.
Of serious concern to NUM is the noticeable and significant presence of alleged AMCU members and supporters during both bail hearings. While NUM fully respects the constitutional principle of open court proceedings, the repeated, high-volume attendance by alleged AMCU members raises serious questions regarding their interest in a matter involving individuals accused of threatening the life of a NUM leader. We urge law enforcement agencies to investigate all possible angles surrounding this matter to establish the full truth.
The third bail application is scheduled to take place tomorrow, 6 July 2026. NUM will closely monitor the proceedings.
The union emphasises that the pursuit of organisational rights must never become a catalyst for violence or intimidation. Disputes regarding union representation must be resolved through lawful processes, including collective bargaining, conciliation, arbitration, and the courts.
NUM remains resolute in its pursuit of organisational rights at Impala MMM 1 Shaft and will not be deterred by acts of intimidation. We will continue to defend the constitutional right of workers to freedom of association. We call upon all stakeholders—including employers and rival trade unions—to promote peaceful coexistence, tolerance, and respect for workers' democratic choices. Violence and intimidation have no place in democratic labour relations.
Finally, NUM calls upon SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to maintain the urgency and professionalism demonstrated thus far to ensure justice is served and all responsible parties are held accountable.
________________
Media Invite to the SAMWU National Day of Action
Papikie Mohale, SAMWU National Media Officer, 3 July 2026
The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) invites members of the media to cover its National Day of Action, which will take place on 9 July 2026 in Tshwane.
The march is expected to be attended by tens of thousands of municipal and water sector workers from across all nine provinces, as SAMWU takes to the streets in defence of workers, collective bargaining and public services.
SAMWU members and workers will gather at the Old Putco Depot in Marabastad, Tshwane, from where they will march to the National Treasury offices to deliver a Memorandum of Demands addressed to National Treasury, COGTA, SALGA and the Department of Water and Sanitation.
The march will raise critical issues affecting workers in municipalities and the water sector, including the underfunding of local government, National Treasury interference, the implementation of collective agreements, the City of Johannesburg PFA, the Wage Curve, Business Units, non-payment of salaries and benefits, outsourcing, consultants, load reduction, water boards and the victimisation of workers and shop stewards.
Details of the march are as follows:
Date:
9 July 2026
Gathering Point: Old Putco Depot, Marabastad, Tshwane
Time: From 9am
Destination: National Treasury offices
Purpose: Delivery of Memorandum of Demands to National Treasury, COGTA, SALGA and the Department of Water and Sanitation
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the march by confirming attendance with Cde Papikie Mohale on 076 795 8670 or via email on pap...@samwu.org.za.
Issued by SAMWU Secretariat
Papikie Mohale
National Media Officer
076 795 8670
______________________________
SADTU KZN Statement on the passing away of Cde Sphamandla Mpanza
Nomarashiya Caluza, SADTU KZN Provincial Secretary, 03 July 2026
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) in KwaZulu Natal mourns and is deeply saddened by the tragic and untimely demise of Cde Sphamandla Mpanza.
He was called to rest through a tragic accident that occurred around Empangeni on his way home on Friday.
Comrade Sphamandla was the elected Deputy Secretary of Lucas Mbatha Branch and, at the time of his passing, was serving as the Acting Branch Secretary.
He believed in collective leadership principles and embraced democratic values as a member of this Union.
He began his leadership journey at Nqulu Primary school as a site steward before being elected as the Branch Education Convenor in a bi-election in 2024, and later as the Branch Deputy Secretary in 2025. He was also a leader and Regional Executive Committee (REC) member of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) in the Musa Dladla Region.
Comrade Sphamandla will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to education workers’ rights and for upholding the values of unity, activism, and service to members.
He was laid to rest at his home in Dondotha near Empangeni, on Sunday, 5 July 2026.
ISSUED BY KZN SADTU SECRETARIAT
South Africa #ClassSolidarity
SACP Politburo Statement
Mbulelo Mandlana, SACP Head of Media, Communications and Information, 6 July 2026
The Politburo of the South African Communist Party (SACP) convened on Friday, 3 July 2026, at Kotane House, the SACP headquarters in Marshalltown, Johannesburg.
The Politburo discussed key issues affecting the SACP, the working class, the people of South Africa and the National Democratic Revolution (NDR). The Politburo reviewed the successful Conference of the Left and affirmed the Communist Party’s responsibility to take forward the conference resolutions and initiate the Council of the Left as agreed. The Conference of the Left is the first step among many to consolidate our programme for socialism and create working-class unity in that direction.
The Politburo also reviewed the SACP programme on the June elections registration weekend and evaluated the readiness of our structures as we prepare for elections on 4 November 2026. The Politburo is satisfied with the work underway in this regard but expressed the need for more work to be done to ensure the effectiveness of our election programme.
On the migration crisis
The Politburo recognised the tenuous time that South Africa is going through, personified by a thoroughgoing crisis of capitalism that manifests in various ways, with the latest manifestation being violent protests connected to migration problems. The Politburo affirmed the statement of the SACP released on 27 June 2026 as reflecting our continued attitude on the ongoing crisis of immigration. The SACP reaffirms its position that African migrant workers are not the enemy of South African people and their migration is a sign, not of their enmity to our national interest, but an outcome of capitalist crises across the world and on the African continent. The conditions that affect the working class across the African continent cannot be ascribed to those individuals who find themselves unable to survive except by leaving their countries as immigrants.
While we recognise that immigration, including illegal immigration, is undesirable for any country and that it is a problem that requires a solution, we also appreciate the fact that it is driven by objective factors and social forces that exist beyond the individual wishes of the persons affected by it. It is the mechanisms of these objective economic and political forces, within the prism of capitalism, which drive migration across the world and across the African continent. These mechanics are not unique to the African continent and South Africa as a country but are endemic to the system of capitalism. In that context, the actions of the human beings involved arise as a response to real limitations of capitalism and colonial legacies requiring them to seek economic and other forms of refuge in faraway places and countries, regardless of their own wishes. The victims of this condition are the workers and not those who wield power.
The appropriate response or intervention is solidarity rather than confrontation. Working-class internationalism is essential. The individual hate and attacks on these people do not bring solutions; on the contrary, it is the punishment of the poor for their own poverty.
The strategy to focus on law enforcement as a response to migration problems, while appearing logical and fitting, can only succeed when combined with a systematic changing of the economic organisation of society that is at the root of migration. The migration crisis has winners and losers. The winners are big capital that gets to exploit the desperate economic situation of migrant workers in various ways for their own benefit, and the losers are workers, both immigrants and citizens, who are plunged into a common yet illogical scuffle for mutual elimination as they compete for the crumbs that the system makes available. The SACP calls for a comprehensive multi-pronged intervention as opposed to hate and violence.
On the international situation
The world continues to be marred in a continuous condition of violence with several wars taking place at the same time. The wars are an indicator of an imperialist system characterised by instability, uncertainty and thoroughgoing crisis. This crisis is at the root of capitalism itself. The Politburo recognised that the Western imperialist assault on Russia through the Ukraine proxy war is the most urgent catastrophe in the global geopolitical situation at this time. The SACP continues to pledge solidarity with Russia in its anti-imperialist operation on the Ukraine front. The victory for the Russian special military operation is an achievement for anti-imperialist forces and gives the anti-imperialist agenda a fighting chance.
The resistance of Iran and its refusal to capitulate to the imperialist advance against their nation reflect their revolutionary spirit, which can only be commended by those who are engaged in the same struggle, albeit on a different front.
The Politburo affirmed the earlier position of the Party that the international correlation of political forces is irreversibly gravitating towards multi-polarity, thereby objectively evolving away from the US-dominated unipolar condition. That movement is signified, among others, by the deepening legitimacy crisis of the US as a world power and the strategic disintegration of the Western imperialist political centre. The reorganisation of the Global South and the strengthening of China make this reality more pronounced.
On national security
The SACP is deeply concerned with the state of the South African Police Service and the concomitant crisis of security facing the country. The ongoing Madlanga Commission revelations have laid bare the systematic and structural crisis in the security cluster. The proposed intervention by the Minister of Police, including the so-called reset, does not go far enough. The SACP calls for a wide-ranging overhaul of the justice system beyond just the administration of the police.
The security cluster is currently in a deep capture by criminal syndicates. The failure to rescue the justice system as a whole from this capture places national security at risk and, indeed, serves to undermine the South African revolution as we know it.
On Operation Vulindlela and neoliberalism
The Politburo discussed the national political situation pertaining to, among others, the deepening of neoliberalism in the state. Operation Vulindlela has emerged as the highest expression of the rightward shift of South African state policy. Vulindlela cuts across all aspects of government policy, systems, and operations. At the centre of Vulindlela is the sweeping proposition to liberalise state operations and lend the totality of the state and its economic mass to a partnership with private capital. In the history of South Africa’s neoliberalism, Vulindlela represents the most thoroughgoing deconstruction of the state to favour private capital.
The “unbundling” of Eskom, the privatisation of the so-called network industries and the systematic evisceration of local government structures, as we know them, and the allocation of their constitutionally delegated tasks to private capital are the key elements of the sweeping neoliberal programme of the government. The ideological and political substance of this programme is the formal incorporation of the political objectives of the bourgeois establishment into the reasoning of the liberation movement structures and assimilation of their perspectives into the political logic of the progressive movement. The Presidency as an institution and, indeed, the President of the ANC as a person are key to the implementation of this programme. The condition of the GNU only serves to deepen the crisis and provide a cover for the violation of the progressive tradition of the ANC and its traditional policy orientation. The office of the Presidency is the strategic nerve centre for this profound neoliberal assault on the national transformation project. This amounts to the most direct assault on the NDR in recent times from the highest office in the land.
As the SACP, we assert without any fear of contradiction that Vulindlela is neither the policy of the ANC nor a reflection of the political tradition or orientation of the Alliance. This programme has no traits whatsoever of transformation objectives as shared by progressive forces in South Africa. It is an imposition of Wall Street consensus founded on unravelling the public economy and exploitation of public assets in order to advance the interests of private capital and guarantee their profitability without taking any entrepreneurial risks. The ANC, including its historical political legitimacy and leadership status as a national liberation movement, is employed and exploited to drive an anti-working-class agenda. The Politburo has asserted that Vulindlela and all its operatives pose the most urgent risk to the South African people and our revolution. The SACP is committed to the success of the NDR and will work tirelessly to defend it from those that seek to dilute it and sell its instruments to the highest bidder.
ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN COMMUNIST PARTY,
FOUNDED IN 1921 AS THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF SOUTH AFRICA.
Media, Communications & Information Department | MCID
International-Solidarity
"The biggest emergency in education": 258 million children living under war, climate shocks, and displacement
3 July 2026
A new global report from Education Cannot Wait (ECW) paints a stark picture of a world where crises are stripping millions of children of their right to education. As conflicts, climate shocks and displacement intensify, education systems are collapsing
— and the most vulnerable are being left furthest behind.
The report Breaking Barriers: Understanding Educational Exclusion in Crises reveals that 258 million school-aged children and adolescents across 87 countries are affected by crises, with 93 million entirely out of school. Confronted with this global emergency,
it calls for urgent, collective action.
A crisis growing at alarming speed
Launched on June 23rd, 2026, the report highlights a rapid deterioration: in just 18 months, the number of crisis-affected children has risen by more than 21 million. 36% of all crisis-affected children are now out of school, with even higher rates among those
facing combined vulnerabilities.
Children forced to flee their homes, those living with disabilities, and those in the most severe crisis settings are disproportionately affected. In the harshest conditions, up to 74% of refugee children are out of school.
The report therefore reflects a systemic failure: those who most need education are those least able to access it.
Inequality at the heart of exclusion
Educational exclusion is not evenly distributed, Breaking Barriers: Understanding Educational Exclusion in Crises shows. The report finds that nearly 80% of out-of-school crisis-affected children live in just 20 countries, calling for targeted global solidarity
and action.
Similarly, 67% of out-of-school children are concentrated in just ten countries, emphasising how deeply inequalities are embedded in global education systems.
From learning crisis to access crisis
Beyond access, the report reveals a deepening learning crisis. Across many crisis-affected areas, fewer than one in ten children can demonstrate foundational reading skills in the early grades.
With clear negative educational consequences: As learning gaps widen, children disengage, increasing the likelihood they will drop out altogether.
Conflicts further intensify this dynamic, with children facing deeper and more persistent learning deficits.
Families are not giving up — systems are
Despite these immense challenges, the report highlights that families continue to prioritise education, even in the face of displacement, poverty and insecurity.
Drawing on half a million household interviews across 31 countries, the research shows that communities understand the value of education — as protection, as stability, and as hope.
The failure, then, lies not with families, but with a lack of sustained investment, political will, and coordinated international action.
“The biggest emergency in education”
For ECW Director Maysa Jalbout, “support for education in crises is the insurance policy families, governments and donors need to protect their long-term investments in education and economic opportunity. The evidence is clear: conflict and climate change are
rolling back hard-won gains in education.”
She added: “We are calling out the biggest emergency in education. These findings show us where needs are greatest and where investments can have the greatest impact. Now is the time to invest in the futures of crisis-affected children.”
A call for public investment and systemic change
The report outlines clear priorities: invest in foundational learning from the outset of emergency responses, remove financial and structural barriers, scale up remedial education, and ensure pathways for displaced learners.
For education unions, these recommendations echo some long-standing demands:
Strong public education systems, even — and especially — in crises.
Full, predictable and sustainable funding based on public responsibility.
Inclusive policies that leave no child behind.
Education is not a luxury to be postponed in times of crisis. It is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of recovery, peace and justice.
Education International's global campaign, Go Public! Fund Education, is an urgent call for governments to invest in public education, a fundamental human right and public good, and to invest more in teachers, the single most important factor in achieving quality
education.
Download the report here.
https://www.educationcannotwait.org/global-estimates-update-2026
______________________________
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