Taking COSATU Today Forward, 3 July 2024
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #EconomicStruggle is Class Struggle #MandelaMonth |
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
Wednesday, 3 July 2024
COSATU Call Centre Number is 010 219 1342
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
Organize or Starve!
Contents
o Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- NUM calls on new Ministers to start working now
o South Africa
- COSATU Gauteng troubled by government vacuum in the province
o International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- The world’s educators rally to grow their unions, elevate their professions, and defend democracy
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
NUM calls on new Ministers to start working now
Mpho Phakedi, NUM Deputy General Secretary, 22 June 2024
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has noted the newly appointed cabinet ministers of the government of national unity announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday 1 July 2024. The union welcomes this decision as it ends anxiety amongst many who exercised the right to vote .
NUM characterises itself as a revolutionary trade union. In line with its character the union, while welcoming the formation of government, has reservations. Firstly the NUM believes that the success of any form of government must be premised on patriotism.
Th NUM is not convinced that all the parties to the GNU are obsessed by this national commitment and ethical commonality. Without it remains parochial opportunism not good in building a South Africa for all based on dignity and equality .
There is some resemblance of hope. The appointment of Kgosientsho Ramokgopa as the Minister of Electricity and Energy , Gwede Mantashe as the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources represents continuity and patriotism .
We are also disappointed that former Minister of Public Works Sihle Zikalala has be sacrificed on the alter of expediency. He has been doing a very excellent work and does not deserve adverse relegation.
His presence was a beacon of hope in stabilising the construction sector and eliminating the scourge of organised crime that has been destabilising the trade. The disruption of construction project by organised criminals affects jobs and the economy .
Those mafias continue to demand the 30% contracts beneficiation which is supposed to benefit the communities. Infrastructure development is a major boost to the country!s economy.
We also welcome the appointment of Ronald Lamola as the new Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. The NUM is a global trade union, and the appointment of Lamola would strengthen its global solidarity network and collaboration such as demanding two state solution instead of genocide of Palestinians by the Zionist government and settlers .
We further welcome the appointment of Sindisiwe Chikunga as Minister of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities. These are vulnerable social categories in our country that remain vulnerable and easy to prey on by criminals . Thus need such a designated office .
As the NUM we wish to express our disappointment to John Steenhuisen for being given the position of Minister of Agriculture. It is clear we do not respect our national symbols and their meaning. Mr Steenhuisen was accused of publicly burning the country’s national flag which undermined the history of sacrifices embodied in the national flag by advocates of democracy .
Furthermore, we wish to remind the Ministry of Agriculture that South Africa remains a food insecure country at homestead level. We therefore expect this department to commit more effort to relieve families trapped in hunger who happen to be the African majority .
We look forward to a government that provides certainty and stability by creating jobs and food security.
South Africa
COSATU Gauteng troubled by government vacuum in the province
Louisah Modikwe, COSATU Gauteng Provincial Secretary, 02 July 2024
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in Gauteng is disturbed by the government vacuum in the province created by the continuous postponement of the announcement of MECs, due to the protracted and destructive negotiations to form the Government of Provincial Unity (GPN).
COSATU is particularly irritated by the arrogance and big brother syndrome demonstrated by the Democratic Alliance (DA).
The attitude of the DA confirms the position held by COSATU in Gauteng that it would be suicidal for the African National Congress (ANC) to form government with the enemy of the National Democratic Revolution (NDR).
Whilst we appreciate the spirit behind the GPN, we are weary of the difficulties it might pose to the working-class given the presence of the DA. Importantly, we no longer have patience for the status quo that has left the workers and people of Gauteng with more questions than answers.
COSATU in Gauteng supports the ANC in the province for refusing to be bullied by the DA. While these bullying tactics were demonstrated while the party was negotiating at the national level, they must not be allowed in Gauteng.
We uphold the ANC Gauteng’s stance to firmly defend the NDR and refuse to go to bed with our class enemy on their own terms. The ANC’s position aligns with our view that the liberation movement should not abandon its revolutionary principles simply because the ANC-led Alliance cannot form a government on its own.
That said, we call on Premier Panyaza Lesufi to announce his Cabinet as a matter of urgency so that service delivery can start in earnest.
As COSATU we are ready to defend the gains towards achieving the NDR.
Issued by COSATU Gauteng
International-Solidarity
The world’s educators rally to grow their unions, elevate their professions, and defend democracy
leading the profession, 2 July 2024
Under the theme of “Growing our Unions, Elevating our Professions, Defending Democracy,” educators from around the world are ready to come together for the 10th World Congress of Education International (EI) which will convene in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from July 29th until August 2nd, 2024.
This year’s congress will bring together some 1,500 delegates, observers, and guests, representing 32 million education workers worldwide, to deliberate, discuss, and address the education issues of the day, from the global teacher shortage to artificial intelligence, to the status of the profession, education funding, and trade union rights.
The agenda: Growth, professionalism, and democracy
EI President Susan Hopgood explained the importance of Congress: “The Education International World Congress is our highest decision-making body and our most important event. Thousands of teachers and education support personnel come together to strategize and make the decisions that guide the work of Education International. Our ‘Go Public! Fund Education’ campaign and ending the global teacher shortage will be at the heart of our work.”
EI General Secretary, David Edwards, also stressed the importance of solidarity with colleagues from the host nation as they face a repressive and anti-union president: “This Congress presents a unique opportunity for the teachers of the world to not only speak with one voice to defend quality public education, workers’ rights and democracy in Argentina at a critical time, but actually be present physically, bearing witness and standing shoulder to shoulder with them."
Education International pledges its continued support to its member organisations in Argentina, standing in solidarity with them in defence of quality education and against any action that undermines democratic values, trade union rights and the well-being of teachers, education support staff, and students.
Pre-Congress Events: Building solidarity
In the days leading up to the congress, various caucuses will provide platforms for Indigenous Peoples, LGBTI+ communities, women, and higher education representatives to voice their concerns, forge alliances, and share experiences across regions.
Voices of Influence: Keynote speakers
The congress will further feature influential speakers such as Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Gloria Inés Ramírez Rios, Colombia’s Minister of Labour and former President of the Colombian Federation of Education Workers (FECODE), who will address the Congress. Other global education leaders will also be present to share with delegates and unionists and shape the future of the teaching profession.
Resolutions and debates: Shaping the future
Delegates will engage in critical discussions on resolutions on issues relevant for teachers and Education support personnel worldwide, such as the ones presented by the EI Executive Board addressing Indigenous Peoples’ rights, teacher wellbeing, education technology, research policies, and the global teacher shortage. These debates and outcomes will shape the education union movement for years to come.
Advocating for quality public education: The ‘Go Public! Fund Education’ campaign
A cornerstone of the congress will be the continuation and expansion of the EI ‘Go Public! Fund Education’ campaign, which champions the funding of public education and the teaching profession, combating budget cuts, austerity, and privatization. Delegates will also discuss ways to implement the 59 recommendations of the United Nations High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession.
Electing leadership: Steering the course
The congress will also see the election of EI’s new leadership - President, Vice-Presidents, regional seats and open seats -, setting the direction for the organization’s future endeavors.
Honoring excellence: The EI Awards
The congress will also celebrate the dedication and achievements of outstanding education unionists through the presentation of the Albert Shanker Education Award, the Mary Hatwood Futrell Human and Trade Union Rights Award, and the inaugural Fred van Leeuwen Democracy Award.
After the exceptional online Congress in 2023, the 10th World Congress bringing education unionists together in person for the first time after five years, will be a powerful opportunity for the global education trade union movement to reiterate its unity and solidarity.
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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