Taking COSATU Today Forward, 27 June 2024
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY |
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
Thursday, 27 June 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!
- COSATU welcomes Eskom's commitments to invest in transformers adding 28GW to the Grid
o South Africa
- COSATU pleased with arrest in Steinhoff case
- Statement by the ANC on the Anniversary of the Freedom Charter
o International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- ITUC builds alignment for robust international treaty on corporate accountability
- Let's act on our commitments and eliminate child labour
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
COSATU welcomes Eskom's commitments to invest in transformers adding 28GW to the Grid
Matthew Parks, COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator, 27 June 2024
The Congress of South African Trade Unios (COSATU) welcomes Eskom’s progressive commitments to invest in transformers and add 28GW to the electricity grid over the next four years. If completed successfully this would consign loadshedding to a painful memory of the past.
The plans to add 101 transformers over the next four years and 170 in total by 2032, with a combined additional generation capacity of 53GW, as well as the commitment made by President Cyril Ramaphosa to build 14 000 kms of new transmission lines, will unlock the generation capacity the economy needs to have energy security to grow over the short, medium and long term. It will open space for Eskom to continue to ensure a sustainable energy mix and reduce our carbon footprint.
These critical investments will help move Eskom back on to a secure financial trajectory and ensure its ability to provide the economy reliable and affordable electricity. It will enable Eskom to export surplus electricity once again to the region and thus boost Southern Africa’s economic growth as well.
COSATU is particularly pleased with Eskom’s commitment to source transformers locally and thus help nurture and grow our local manufacturing capacity. This will create thousands of local jobs and create opportunities for exports to the continent.
We commend government led by the African National Congress and President Ramaphosa, and Eskom, for the continuous progress made on addressing our electricity challenges. These lay the foundation for the economy to grow, create decent jobs, reduce poverty, and attract badly needed investments.
Issued by COSATU
South Africa
COSATU pleased with arrest in Steinhoff case
Zanele Sabela, COSATU National Spokesperson, 27 June 2024
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is pleased that persons accused of looting workers’ pension funds’ investments at Steinhoff are finally being brought to book after years of not being held liable for their crimes.
Yesterday Steinhoff’s former chief financial officer, Ben la Grange, appeared in court after he was arrested. La Grange appeared in the Pretoria Special Commercial Crimes Court and was charged with racketeering, fraud, corruption and contravening the Financial Markets Act in relation to the Steinhoff case. He was released on bail of R150 000.
Stéhan Grobler, former Steinhoff head of legal, appeared alongside La Grange. Grobler first appeared in the same court in March, a day after Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste committed suicide, leaving him to stand in the dock alone.
In late 2018 workers’ pensions lost billions of Rands in the value due to Steinhoff’s accounting scandal. The Government Employees Pension Fund, for instance, had invested in the region of R4.3 billion in Steinhoff, but the investment turned out to be worthless because the company had falsified its market value via creative accounting methods.
The Federation has been consistent in calling for the heads of those implicated in the looting of workers’ monies, and for the recovery of assets and proceeds of the crime.
COSATU is once again calling on the Financial Sector Conduct Authority to collect the R475 million penalties levied on Jooste from assets in his name, and to leave no stone unturned to uncover any assets he might have hidden.
It is critical that government leave no stone unturned in ensuring that workers’ monies are recovered and the guilty are sent to long terms of imprisonment.
The Steinhoff heist counts among the gravest crimes committed against South African workers to date. We call on the National Prosecuting Authority, the Hawks and the Judiciary to pursue justice to the end for workers.
We cannot afford to let these heisters get away without facing the full might of the law.
Issued by COSATU
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Statement by the ANC on the Anniversary of the Freedom Charter
26 June 2024
Today, the African National Congress (ANC) proudly commemorates the anniversary of the Freedom Charter, a timeless document adopted on 26 June 1955 at the Congress of the People in Kliptown.
The Freedom Charter remains a foundational pillar of our democratic principles and continues to inspire our pursuit of a just, inclusive, and equitable South Africa.
The need for the Freedom Charter arose in an era of profound oppression and injustice. Apartheid was systematically denying black South Africans their basic human rights and freedoms.
Recognising the urgency of unifying the nation under a common vision, the ANC, along with other progressive organisations, sought to articulate the aspirations of all South Africans.
This vision built on earlier documents such as the African Claims of 1943 and the 1949 Programme of Action.
The Freedom Charter was crafted through extensive consultations with ordinary South Africans, ensuring it reflected the collective will of the people.
It boldly envisioned a South Africa where all citizens, regardless of race, would enjoy equal rights and opportunities, directly challenging the apartheid regime's ideology.
We honour the legacy of key stalwarts who shaped this charter and our movement, including Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo, Lilian Ngoyi, and Yusuf Dadoo. Their courage and vision continue to guide us today.
The Freedom Charter outlines our collective vision through its key clauses:
1. The People Shall Govern!
2. All National Groups Shall Have Equal Rights!
3. The People Shall Share in the Country’s Wealth!
4. The Land Shall Be Shared Among Those Who Work It! 5. All Shall Be Equal Before the Law!
6. All Shall Enjoy Equal Human Rights!
7. There Shall Be Work and Security!
8. The Doors of Learning and Culture Shall Be Opened! 9. There Shall Be Houses, Security, and Comfort!
10. There Shall Be Peace and Friendship!
These tenets are a clarion call to action, embodying our unwavering commitment to a South Africa where every citizen enjoys dignity, freedom, and prosperity.
They reflect our dedication to non-racialism, non- sexism, and the upliftment of all marginalised people.
The impact of the Freedom Charter was profound. It galvanised the anti-apartheid movement, providing a clear and compelling vision for a democratic South Africa.
Despite brutal repression, its principles continued to inspire resistance and played a crucial role in shaping the democratic South Africa that emerged in 1994.
On this significant anniversary, we reaffirm our commitment to the ideals enshrined in the Freedom Charter. We are reminded of our responsibility to address ongoing challenges such as inequality, unemployment, and access to education and healthcare.
Together, we strive to build a nation that truly belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity.
The Freedom Charter is more than a historical document; it is a living testament to our shared values and our ongoing quest for a better future.
Its spirit continues to inspire us to fight for justice, equality, and peace in every part of our beloved country. It remains the lodestar of a just and equitable South Africa.
Let’s do more, together!
Amandla!
END/
ISSUED BY THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS.
Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri
ANC NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON
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International-Solidarity
COSATU stands in solidarity with the workers and people of Kenya - calling for an end to economic exclusion, unjust taxation and global economic capture by IMF/WB
Noxolo Bhengu, COSATU Deputy International Secretary, 26 June 2024
COSATU joins the millions of working people all over the world, particularly on the African continent who stand in solidarity with the fighting masses of Kenya against the Finance Bill 2024, and its draconian implications for the country and its people.
The Federation condemns the use of state violence against peaceful protestors and supports the call for an inquest to hold those responsible to account. The 7 Days of Rage is a culmination of mass mobilisations which targeted the 21st to 27th June for sustained mass action. It has become a historic moment for the people of Kenya, particularly the youth, unemployed, workers and mass movements across the country who are on the streets, protesting against unbearable living conditions.
In acts of courage, on 25 June, they stormed parliament to demand accountability by public representatives on key policy positions, particularly on the draconian economic and financial decisions.
There are two important factors behind the historic mobilisations by the working people of Kenya, which are critical for all who are committed to economic and political justice. These are:
- The deepening crises of poverty, hunger and huge inequalities caused by the imposition of neoliberal policies such as the Finance Bill in the midst of the rising costs of living, deepening poverty, unemployment, hunger and elite spending on importation of luxuries from abroad. This bill is part of that economic capture of the Kenyan economy by external forces, particularly the IMF, World Bank and favoured multinational companies who have been the main reason for the perpetual underdevelopment of Kenya and the African continent as a whole.
- The recent agreement between Kenya and the US during which US President Joe Biden designated Kenya as a “Major non-NATO” ally, the first African country to have that status. NATO is the military alliance of imperialist countries of the global north. The agreement means the people of Kenya and their future generations will pay for the military bases, weapons of the US in that region and all the loans related to the transactions. This will include training of Kenyan armed forces, sophisticated military equipment, shared intelligence by both countries and more defence spending in identified areas of the agreement.
This is a very important lesson for all African countries about the real intentions of the global private sector led “Cuts against every Public sector good” to increase profits for business elites and increase poverty for the people. Public representatives in parliament, local government and other spheres of power should be held accountable for using public office to advance the interests of the people, particularly the working class and the poor.
We call on all progressive forces to join the campaign for more practical solidarity and impact, particularly as we call on President Ruto to heed to the reasonable demands of the people.
Issued by COSATU
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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