Taking COSATU Today Forward, 7 August 2026 #CosatuCongress2026
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY COSATU Call Center Contacts: 010 002 2590 #Cosatu affiliates are preparing for the 15th National Congress coming at Midrand in September… #CosatuCongress2026 #WorkerControl #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
7 August 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!
- Media Accreditation Application for the COSATU 15th National Congress officially open
- SADTU KwaZulu-Natal Statement on the tragic demise of Cde Comrade Andile Shezi
- South Africa
- Boxer Workers Deserve Fair Treatment, Safe Working Conditions and Equal Benefits
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Sintracarbón signs labour transition pact with Colombian government
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics #ClassWar
Media
Accreditation Application for the COSATU 15th National Congress officially open
Zanele
Sabela, COSATU Spokesperson, 06
August 2026
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) will convene its 15th National Congress from 14 to 17 September 2026 at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa.
Taking place under the theme, “Building A Militant, Revolutionary Labour Movement and Strengthening Anti-Imperialist Working-Class Unity to Defend Jobs and Advance Socialism”, the four-day event will bring together delegates from affiliates, Alliance
partners and international guests; and conclude with the presentation of the Congress declaration and the announcement of the elected COSATU National Office Bearers.
COSATU President Zingiswa Losi will deliver the opening address, with messages of support from Alliance partners, the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO). The
political, organisational, economic and international reports will be tabled at Congress.
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the Congress.
The media accreditation application process is now open and will close on the 4 September 2026.
Below are the details that need to be submitted for the application to be processed.
Name:
Surname:
Media House:
Address:
Country:
Mobile:
Email:
Applications should be forwarded to the following emails: Mam...@cosatu.org.za and Non...@cosatu.org.za before Friday, 04 September 2026.
They can also be submitted via the link below:
Media
Registration
Issued by COSATU
______________________________
SADTU
KwaZulu-Natal Statement on the tragic demise of Cde Comrade Andile Shezi
Nomarashiya
Caluza, SADTU KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Secretary, 6 August 2026
It
is with profound grief and deep sadness that the South African Democratic Teachers' Union (SADTU) announces the sudden and tragic passing of Comrade Andile Shezi, one of our most vibrant, committed, dedicated, and battle-tested servants of the working class.
Comrade Shezi met his untimely death in the early hours of Saturday, 1 August 2026, in a horrific motor vehicle accident near Mtubatuba. The news of his sudden passing has cast a dark and painful cloud over the entire SADTU family in KwaZulu-Natal. We remain
devastated and struggle to come to terms with the loss of a leader whose life was filled with promise, selfless service, and unwavering revolutionary commitment.
At the time of his passing, Comrade Shezi was serving with distinction as the Branch Secretary of SADTU at Elangeni TVET College. Comrade Andile was not new in the struggle. At an early age as a learner, he consciously associated himself with the working class
struggles and joined COSAS while in high school. While at University (Mangosuthu University of Technology) comrade ANDILE joined and became a leader of SASCO championing students’ rights and welfare. He also served as ANC Branch Secretary, ANCYL Branch Secretary.
As a worker at Elangeni TVET College Comrade Andile joined SADTU and frowned upon exploitation of workers at the College and through his fearlessness and radicalism in presenting issues affecting members, SADTU members trusted him and elected him to SADTU Site leadership as a Site Secretary. As a result of leadership he displayed, practiced and provided, the membership of SADTU at Elangeni TVET College elected him unanimously in their first Branch Triennial General Meeting (BTGM). Comrade Andile became the inaugural Branch Secretary of SADTU at the College.
This
is during the historic moment when SADTU was establishing the first branches in TVET Colleges, laying a strong organisational foundation that continues to benefit our members in the TVET sector.
His passing is a tremendous loss to the labour movement and the broader democratic movement. The Union has lost a fearless youth leader, a disciplined
cadre, and a principled trade unionist who was unwavering in defending the rights and dignity of workers.
Throughout his leadership, Comrade Shezi dedicated himself to mentoring and educating others, imparting valuable political, Organisational, and social knowledge that strengthened the understanding of organised labour and deepened the commitment to serving workers in the workplace.
Comrade
Andile’s leadership benefited almost all TVET Colleges in the province as he grew to become a resource for leaders and members in other TVET Colleges. From time-to-time leadership from other colleges would consult him seeking guidance on how to navigate difficulties
confronting workers.
It is with regret to recall that Comrade Andile and his collective faced a backlash from the employer that had difficulty of understanding that the time for intimidation, harassment, unfair labour practices was not going to continue without being challenged
by the abled branch leadership of the College.
Comrade
Andile and his collective’s leadership tenure became a nightmare unbelievably so considering the times that we are in as a country that has clear labour laws including the rights provided for by the Constitution of the country.
He passes on when the Union is faced with bigger struggles against union bashing by the management of the College.
The Union finds comfort that wherever he is now, Comrade Andile understands that they were not alone in the fight, the whole of SADTU understands the situation facing the Union and members in the college, this is evidenced by the collective decision by all leaders of the nine TVET Colleges in KwaZulu Natal on the 26th of July 2026 as they resolved to pledge solidarity and have a march to present issues affecting the Union and members at Elangeni College.
This is a decision that the PEC will soon be processing. This must be done in honor of his leadership.
As the union members mourn his passing, they will have to continue emulating his legacy of humility, courage, discipline, and selfless service and must continue from where he has left to inspire generations of trade unionists and activists.
In conclusion, SADTU extends her deepest and most heartfelt condolences to his beloved wife, Mrs Zilungile Shezi, their children, the Shezi family, the leadership and members of Elangeni TVET College, his comrades in the ANC and ANCYL, and the entire SADTU membership. The Union mourns alongside them, share in their grief, and will pray that they be provided with all the strength needed to navigate this difficult time of their lives.
As
the Union (SADTU) bids farewell to her gallant member, Comrade Andile, the union members will continue to salute his unwavering commitment to the struggle for workers' rights and social justice.
the Union is planning a befitting memorial service which shall take place in weeks to come.
The Funeral Service will take place on the 9th of August 2026 at Ottawa Community Hall – Verulam (44 Maharaj Road) – 9am.
May his revolutionary spirit continue to guide the revolution and all those committed to the course to carry forward the work to which he dedicated his life.
Rest
in Peace Comrade Andile!
Issued by KZN SADTU Secretariat
South Africa #ClassSolidarity Top of Form
Boxer Workers Deserve Fair Treatment, Safe Working Conditions and Equal Benefits
Jerrie Mmoneri, SACCAWU Deputy General Secretary, 06 August 2026
The South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) expresses its deep concern over the continued unfair treatment of Boxer employees. It is unacceptable that workers who play a vital role in the company's success continue to be denied basic rights, fair working conditions and equal employment benefits.
Despite Boxer being one of South Africa's leading food retailers, with a market capitalisation of approximately R33 billion, many employees continue to experience exploitation and unequal treatment.
Unsafe Working Conditions
SACCAWU strongly condemns the company's failure to provide safe and reliable transport for employees required to work late-night and early-morning shifts. Workers should never have to risk their safety simply because they are reporting for duty or returning home after serving the company.
We call on Boxer to provide reliable transport from the workplace directly to employees' homes for all qualifying shifts.
Unpaid Overtime
We are equally disturbed by reports that employees are instructed to clock out at the end of their scheduled shifts and then return to continue working without pay. If proven, this practice amounts to unpaid labour and is a serious violation of workers' rights and South African labour legislation. Every employee deserves to be paid for every hour worked.
End the Discrimination Against Flexitimers
For more than a decade, the issue of flexitimers benefits has remained unresolved despite repeated engagements. Flexitimers continue to be excluded from benefits enjoyed by permanent employees. While they receive funeral benefits, they are denied access to performance bonuses, provident fund membership and meaningful medical aid benefits.
This injustice has devastating long-term consequences. Many employees retire after decades of loyal service with no retirement savings, leaving them financially vulnerable. This stands in stark contrast to workers in comparable retailers who are able to retire with meaningful retirement benefits after years of service. Long service should be rewarded with dignity, not poverty.
Boxer Can Afford to Do Better
The company's financial position clearly demonstrates that it has the capacity to improve the lives of its employees. A business valued at approximately R33 billion cannot reasonably claim that it is unable to provide safe transport, fair remuneration and basic retirement security for the very workers who contribute to its success every day.
Our Call
The union calls on Boxer management to:
• Immediately provide safe and reliable transport for employees working late-night and early-morning shifts.
• End all forms of unpaid work and ensure employees are paid for every hour worked.
• Extend provident fund, medical aid and performance bonus benefits to flexitimers.
• Engage in meaningful negotiations and resolve these longstanding issues without further delay.
Workers deserve respect, dignity and fairness. As SACCAWU we remain committed to protecting their rights and will continue to pursue every lawful avenue until these legitimate demands are addressed.
Issued by: SACCAWU Secretariat
Internationalism-Solidarity
Sintracarbón signs labour transition pact with Colombian government
5 August, 2026
Mining workers, together with the Colombian government and various institutions, have signed the Grand Pact for Labour and Productive Transition for the
regions of La Guajira, Cesar and Magdalena. This is a key step towards consolidating a just energy transition that protects jobs and creates new employment opportunities.
More than 3,000 workers were made redundant in 2021 following the closure of the coal operations of Prodeco, a Glencore subsidiary, in the Cesar mining corridor. For years, the National Union of Coal Industry Workers (Sintracarbón, an IndustriALL Colombian
affiliate) and the families affected by the redundancies campaigned for support. Their efforts led to collaboration with Gustavo Petro’s government to launch a Labour Retraining Programme for the Cesar Mining Corridor. The programme aims to tackle the unemployment
crisis.
New opportunities for mining workers
As a result of this initiative, 104 former workers took part in the programme, where they acquired the necessary skills to enter the electricity and renewable energy sectors, opening the door to new opportunities for formal employment.
On 25 July 2026, in Valledupar, they received their professional registration certificates from the National Council of Electrical Technicians (CONTE), which certify their skills as electrical technicians specialising in photovoltaic energy and facilitate their
entry into the labour market in this new sector.
The presentation of the certificates took place during a ceremony that also marked a further step forward in the country’s energy transition policy.
The president of Sintracarbón, Jaime López García, stated:
“Sintracarbón is moving in the right direction. Vocational retraining must be provided today to those who urgently need it, because multinationals and previous governments have left them without jobs in the coal mining sector. The administrations in La Guajira
and Cesar, still stuck in the old political mindset, are failing to develop economic plans that generate the same number of job opportunities in other productive sectors.
The achievements we have witnessed today with these groups of men and women during this event allow us to affirm that we are on the right track. Sintracarbón will continue to promote this policy to as many people as possible, always with the people, the region
and better social conditions for our regions in mind.”
A pact for a just energy transition
At the same event, the ministry of mines and energy, the ministry of labour, the ministry of the environment, the national learning service (SENA), CONTE and the trade union organizations signed the Grand Pact for Labour and Productive Restructuring.
This is a government commitment developed in collaboration with workers, trade unions and communities to consolidate a just energy transition that protects jobs, drives economic diversification and strengthens governance in mining regions.
The Grand Pact forms part of the Colombian government’s just energy transition strategy to ensure that no worker is left unprotected during mine closures and decarbonisation processes. To this end, the comprehensive model for labour and productive transition
comprises three instruments:
Decree 0742 on Mine Closures (issued on 15 July 2026),
a public policy on labour protection in the face of decarbonization processes
the energy transition and the technical guidelines for the development of labour skills for green growth.
Through these measures, the Colombian government aims to ensure that the closure of the mines does not merely mark the end of an economic activity, but rather the beginning of a transformation based on labour justice, social dialogue and the creation of new
opportunities for mining communities.
IndustriALL Latin America regional secretary, Marino Vani, said:
“We congratulate the leadership of Sintracarbón. These advances represent much more than a regulatory victory: they are the result of years of collective struggle, organization and commitment by workers in the mining sector in Colombia.
The losses, the social and environmental impacts, and the burdens arising from mining activity cannot continue to fall, as has so often been the case, on the shoulders of the workers and the affected communities.
Today we celebrate this step forward, but we also know that every right we have won must be defended. That is why we must remain united, organized and strengthened within our trade union to ensure compliance with this decree and prevent future governments from
rolling back these achievements. Similarly, it is essential that we remain vigilant, mobilized and committed to demanding that companies respect and implement these advances.
The struggle of those who defend justice continues. Let us continue to forge that path together.”
______________________________
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