Taking COSATU Today Forward Special Bulletin, 11 December 2025 #HappyFestiveSeason #Cosatu40
Norman Mampane
|
COSATU TODAY Happy Festive Season to all workers and their families! #HappyBirthdaDENOSA #HappyBirthdaNUM #HappyBirthdayCOSATU! #Cosatu40 #VioletSeboniBrigade #Cosatu40thAnniversary #Cosatu@40 #Cosatu40thAnniversary #SACTU70 #ClassStruggle “Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism” #Back2Basics #JoinCOSATUNow #ClassConsciousness |
Taking COSATU Today Forward Special Bulletin
‘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
11 December 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!
- COSATU shocked by SAFTU’s attempt to throttle unity talks
- South Africa
- COSATU welcomes proposed increase in the National Minimum Wage
- NUM Rejects Eskom Unbundling Strategy, Reiterates Opposition to Privatisation of Energy Sector
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- SAMWU stands in solidarity with Autonomous Union of Water Workers of Senegal and its leadership
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
COSATU shocked by SAFTU’s attempt to throttle unity talks
Zanele Sabela, COSATU Spokesperson, 11 December 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is appalled but not surprised by the South African Federation of Trade Union (SAFTU)’s petulant attempt to deride the Federation’s unity calls as a mere “dishonest narrative”. Over the weekend, SAFTU, South Africa’s second smallest federation, went off on an emotional tangent on social media about how it was bizarrely boycotting COSATU’s 40th anniversary celebrations.
COSATU, as mandated by its Affiliates and workers has written to its former affiliates, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) and the Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU), proposing unity talks that will see them rejoin their home, COSATU. The Federation also invited its sister Federations to attend its recent Central Committee and 40th anniversary celebrations.
In response, SAFTU has thrown yet another ideologically confused infantile temper tantrum and gone back several years scurrying to dig up old, stale and factually devoid insults to fling at COSATU.
SAFTU’s grievance appears to be COSATU’s call for those who left COSATU, to return to their home. SAFTU appears to be traumatised that COSATU has engaged its former affiliates who are currently within SAFTU. Yet SAFTU’s demand for sensitivity seems to escape them when their officials contact COSATU’s affiliates to divide the Federation, spread fake news and lure them to SAFTU!
SAFTU’s emotional meltdowns aside, COSATU is pleased that its invitation to engage in unity talks has been warmly received by workers, including members of its former affiliates, who have been heartened by the call to return to their home, the Federation of Elijah Barayi. COSATU will not be apologetic, nor be deterred from seeking to fulfill COSATU’s founding call to unite workers across unions and federations, the organised and the unorganised.
At Organised Labour’s 2025 Nedlac School; COSATU, FEDUSA, NACTU and SAFTU jointly resolved to reject austerity budget measures, defend workers’ hard-won gains and ensure implementation of labour laws and agreements that advance the interest of workers. The Federations agreed to a joint National Day of Action against austerity and to push for a budget that prioritises job creation, addresses inequality and poverty, makes provision for essential public services, focuses on the needs of the poor and working class, promotes economic inclusion, and combats crime and corruption.
However, in the lead up to the first of three Budget days on 19 February, SAFTU disappeared and failed to mobilised any of its members to join the march to Parliament to demand a People’s Budget. The sole representative of SAFTU to attend was its General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, who insisted upon boarding the podium to address workers mobilised by COSATU.
Over the years we have seen Vavi pop up at protests at the last minute, shamelessly seeking to exploit the efforts and expenses of COSATU’s hard work. So, when SAFTU speaks of “unity in action” – we are baffled and bemused as to what exactly they are referring to.
If SAFTU is genuinely committed to the unity of workers, then it should abandon its infantile and politically backward behaviour. SAFTU’s Workers’ Day gathering on 1 May, its picket and press conference at Nedlac in July and its choir at Nedlac’s Annual Summit in September were dominated by coffins demanding that COSATU die, while also attacking COSATU and other Federations’ officials. SAFTU’s divisive message is unmistakable.
If SAFTU expects to be taken seriously by workers and COSATU, then its time it did some self-introspection and showed a little bit of political maturity and humility.
COSATU will unapologetically continue on its path to unify workers in line with our Central Committee resolution and the Federation’s founding vision of “One union, one industry, one country, one federation.”
Issued by COSATU
COSATU welcomes proposed increase in the National Minimum Wage
Matthew Parks, COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator, 11 December 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) welcomes the proposed 2026 increase of inflation plus 1.5% for the National Minimum Wage (NMW). This progressive above inflation increase would see the current R28,79 per hour pass R30 in 2026.
Whilst COSATU had tabled a slightly higher proposal, we are pleased that our demand for a positive above inflation increase prevailed and secured the support of the Commission. The proposed increase has now been gazetted for public comment.
We encourage workers and progressive civil society to submit their messages of support for this increase to the NMW Commission which will then table the recommendation to the Minister for Employment and Labour, Ms. N. Meth, for her final approval.
The NMW Act mandates the Commission to ensure the NMW is not eroded by inflation as this would plunge many workers deeper into debt, poverty and despair. This positive increase will help protect the value of the NMW and workers’ ability to take care of their families.
It will inject badly needed stimulus into the economy, spurring growth, sustaining and creating jobs. It will provide relief to 5.5 million workers earning within the NMW range in particular farm, domestic, construction, retail, transport, hospitality, security, and cleaning workers.
COSATU is pleased with the progress that has been made with the NMW since it came into effect in 2019 at R20 per hour, with domestic workers then pegged at R15 and farmworkers R18. They have both since been equalised with the NMW. The NMW is a far cry from the poverty wages farm and domestic workers were paid a few years ago, at times as little as R6 an hour. It is one of government led by President Cyril Ramaphosa and the African National Congress’ most important and transformational achievements.
Engagements need to be accelerated with the Presidency, Treasury and the Departments of Cooperative Governance, Public Works and Infrastructure on a road map to ensure Community and Expanded Public Works Programmes’ workers are raised from R15,83 to the NMW. It is unacceptable these workers remain pegged at 55% of the NMW. This must now end.
Whilst we have made progress, it is critical the Department of Employment and Labour intensify its crack down on an estimated 45% defaulting employers. Unions must continue to expose such workplaces. Organised Business must play its part.
This is a criminal offence and should be treated as such. Such employers cannot be allowed to defy the law and treat their employees little better than slaves. Minister Meth’s bold commitment to employ additional 20 000 inspectors over the next two years will be a welcome boost to ensuring the abhorrent defiance of the law by some employers is dealt with.
Miserly critics of the NMW said it would lead to a job’s bloodbath. Independent research by leading academics has proven this not to be the case. It has had a positive impact on reducing poverty and inequality whilst boosting economic growth. Other countries who have introduced an NMW, e.g. the United States, Germany and Brazil have had similar positive experiences.
Beyond the NMW, government needs to expedite measures to tackle the network and other obstacles to growing the economy as well as reinforce the various elements of the social wage, e.g. subsidised public transport, education, housing, municipal services and social security.
These are critical to fixing the state, unlocking the economy, reducing poverty, creating decent jobs as well as ensuring workers earn a living wage.
Issued by COSATU
_____________________
NUM Rejects Eskom Unbundling Strategy, Reiterates Opposition to Privatisation of Energy Sector
Khangela Baloyi NUM Energy Sector Coordinator, 11 December 2025
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has taken note of recent media reports detailing a revised government strategy for the unbundling of Eskom. These reports suggest a new approach aimed at maintaining "strong public oversight" while supporting a "competitive energy market" as defined by the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act (ERAA).
The NUM wishes to be unequivocally clear: We fundamentally reject the unbundling of Eskom in any form. Our long-standing position remains unchanged, regardless of the proposed structural or regulatory revisions.
This policy of separating Eskom into multiple entities (Generation, Transmission, and Distribution) is a neo-liberal project designed to dismantle a vital state asset and facilitate the wholesale privatisation of South Africa’s energy sector.
The NUM’s Position is Rooted in Socio-Economic Reality:
1. Energy is a Public Good, Not a Commodity: Energy is an essential public service that must remain firmly in the hands of the state. The liberalisation of the sector, which has proven disastrous in numerous other countries, will inevitably lead to energy being inaccessible and unaffordable for the poor and working class of South Africa.
2. Economic Destruction and Job Losses: The Eskom statement itself concedes that the utility will be significantly reduced in scale due to the introduction of private players. This reduction in customer base, sales, revenue, and profit will lead to Eskom's strategic decline, threatening its role as a key economic pillar and jeopardizing thousands of jobs.
3. Strategic Replacement by Private Players: The inevitable consequence of this unbundling and liberalisation is the calculated replacement of Eskom by profit-driven private entities. We cannot allow the foundation of our national economy to be handed over to those whose primary motive is not public service, but shareholder return.
The South African economy relies on a single, functioning, and publicly owned Eskom. The current trajectory risks the future of energy security and social equity in our country.
The NUM calls on the Government to immediately halt the unbundling process and commit to strengthening Eskom as a unified, state-owned entity.
International-Solidarity
SAMWU stands in solidarity with Autonomous Union of Water Workers of Senegal and its leadership
Dumisane Magagula, SAMWU General Secretary, 10 December 2025
The South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU), which organises workers in municipalities and waterboards across South Africa, stands in solidarity with our comrades in the Senegalese water sector, particularly Comrade Oumar Ba, General Secretary of the Autonomous Union of Water Workers of Senegal (SATES). We have learnt with deep consternation as the management of SEN'EAU has unleashed a campaign of intimidation and victimisation against workers who dare to advocate for fair public water services and the dignity of labour.
The bullying and unrelenting pressure mounted against Comrade Ba, a leader at the forefront of this struggle, is an affront to every principle of trade union freedom and human rights. SAMWU knows too well the cost of standing up for workers' rights in essential services, and unequivocally condemns the double dealing and unacceptable divide-and-rule tactics employed by SEN'EAU to sideline SATES, a union vocal in its defence of workers.
This attack on Oumar Ba and SATES is not just industrial dispute but a directed assault on the democratic principles enshrined in Senegal's own Constitution, particularly the guarantees of freedom of opinion, expression, association, and work. We find the complicit silence of the Senegalese government in the face of this injustice deeply disturbing, effectively allowing the management of SEN'EAU to trample upon the fundamental liberties of its citizens. No individual, organisation, or government has the right to prevent workers from exercising these sacred rights and liberties.
SAMWU therefore demands immediate action and that the government of Senegal must rein in the anti-people and anti-workers actions of SEN'EAU's management and initiate an independent, detailed, and transparent review of its managerial practices to ensure accountability and justice. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Oumar Ba and all victimised unionists, encouraging them to remain resolute. Their fight for improved work conditions and respect is our fight, and the struggle for dignity in the water sector in Senegal is a beacon for workers across the entire continent. We recall the timeless truth that "An injury to one is an injury to all."
We call on all progressive forces to join us in demanding a stop to this repression! Now, more than ever, the cry echoes across the continent as Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels said, "Workers of the world, unite!" The spirit of Pan-African solidarity demands nothing less.
Issued by SAMWU Secretariat
______________________________
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