Taking COSATU Today Forward, 23 May 2025
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #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
23 May 2025
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
-
COSATU has a vacancy of a Just Transition Project Support (Fixed Term Contract)
- South Africa
- NEHAWU Western Cape to convene its 17th Provincial Congress
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- South Africa: Women miners stripped naked at Kopanang gold mine
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
COSATU
has a vacancy of a Just Transition Project Support (Fixed Term Contract)
Khanyisile
Fakude, COSATU Administrative Secretary and Human Resources, 22 May 2025
The
Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is inviting applications for the Just Transition Project Support position based in its Head Office, Braamfontein with possible international travel. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the
effective implementation of COSATU’s Just Transition agenda both nationally and internationally.
The role involves project tracking, financial reporting, workshop coordination, database management, and support for climate change committee convenings. The incumbent will work closely with Just Transition leads and contribute to ensuring COSATU’s Just Transition objectives are met in alignment with global frameworks and national priorities.
Key
Responsibilities:
1.
Administrative and Project Support
•
Provide administrative support to the Just Transition team, ensuring smooth execution of tasks.
• Track project milestones, deliverables, and timelines, ensuring alignment with COSATU’s Just Transition objectives.
• Maintain comprehensive records, reports, and documentation related to Just Transition activities.
2. Financial Reporting and Budget Monitoring
•
Assist in financial reporting related to Just Transition projects, ensuring compliance with COSATU financial policies.
• Monitor budgets and expenditures for Just Transition initiatives.
• Support grant and funding applications by maintaining accurate financial records.
3. Workshop Coordination and Logistics
•
Organise and coordinate Just Transition workshops, meetings, and training sessions at national and international levels.
• Handle logistics, including venue booking, travel arrangements, and participant coordination.
• Prepare workshop materials, reports, and presentations.
• Database Management and Information Tracking
• Maintain and update a database of key stakeholders, partners, and climate change networks
•
Track
and record key developments in Just Transition policies and frameworks relevant to COSATU’s work.
4.
Climate Change Committee Support
•
Convene and support COSATU’s Climate Change Committee meetings.
• Prepare and distribute meeting agendas, minutes, and reports.
• Ensure follow-up on action items and decisions taken during committee meetings.
• Strategic Engagement and Advocacy Support
•
Assist in promoting COSATU’s Just Transition agenda nationally and internationally.
• Support Just Transition leads in engagements with stakeholders, including unions, government, civil society, and international bodies.
• Draft briefing notes, position papers, and communication materials related to Just Transition issues.
5. International Engagement and Travel
•
Represent COSATU in relevant national and international forums, workshops, and policy discussions.
• Provide logistical and administrative support for COSATU delegations attending international climate-related events.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
•
Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field.
• Clear understanding of COSATU, the structures of the Federation as well as the broader trade union movement
• Strong knowledge of Just Transition frameworks, UNFCCC processes, and climate change principles.
• At least 2 years of experience in project administration, coordination, or support roles within a trade union, NGO, or policy organisation.
• Experience in financial reporting and budget monitoring.
•
Excellent organisational and multitasking skills with the ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and database management tools.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.
•
Commitment to COSATU’s principles and Just Transition agenda.
• Experience working in labour movements, climate justice, or social development sectors.
• Familiarity with South African labour and environmental policies.
•
Experience in stakeholder engagement and workshop facilitation.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
All applications should be sent on or before the 30th May 2025 with a detailed CV and contactable references to:
The COSATU General Secretary
● Email to: khany...@cosatu.org.za
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
NEHAWU Western Cape to convene its 17th Provincial Congress
Baxolise Mali, NEHAWU Western Cape Provincial Secretary, May 22, 2025
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] in the Western Cape will be convening its 17th Provincial Congress from the 24th to the 26th May 2025 under the theme “Strengthen Workplace Organisation to Defend Collective Bargaining, Deepen Class Consciousness and Advance Internationalism”.
The congress will assess progress in the implementation of union resolutions informed by the union’s priority areas ranging from the International Correlation of Class Forces, the state of the National Democratic Revolution (NDR) noting the 2024 electoral setback and the resolutions of the SACP 5th Special National Congress regarding 2026 elections, the crisis of neoliberalism and its agenda of austerity measures in the economy, health, public service and education.
The congress will be attended by delegates drawn from structures of the union. The congress will adopt new resolutions and also elect new Provincial Office Bearers.
The congress will receive addresses from the Alliance [ANC, SACP and COSATU].
President Michael Shingange will give a keynote address to the congress.
The congress is scheduled as follows:
Date: 24 - 26 May 2025
Time: 14h00 on the opening day which is on Saturday 24 May, 2025
Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton Cape Town
Members of the media are invited to the official opening of the congress.
For further information, please contact: NEHAWU Western Cape Provincial Secretary, Baxolise Mali at 0663050591
END
Issued by NEHAWU Western Cape Secretariat
International-Solidarity
South Africa: Women miners stripped naked at Kopanang gold mine
22 May, 2025
IndustriALL Global Union affiliate the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is condemning the dehumanising body searches that women miners are being subjected to daily at Kopanang gold mine - about 170 km southeast of Johannesburg.
Kopanang Mine was sold to Hong Kong based Heaven-Sent SA Sunshine Investment company by AngloGold Ashanti in 2018.
Over 12 women miners have reported violations of the degrading body searches including being stripped naked by the mine security under the pretext of looking for stolen gold. The number could be higher as some workers have been intimidated and are afraid to
speak out. Those who have challenged the humiliating searches which happen at the end of miners’ shifts have been suspended. For example, one worker was suspended after she refused to take off her underwear and open her legs during the searches.
Further, the workers say that they are working for long hours and not allowed to take food underground. The NUM is considering taking legal action against Kopanang Mine and calling upon the department of mineral resources to investigate. The union is also meeting
with Kopanang mine management and demanding that they desist from the violations. Additionally, the union says there are technologies that can be used in body searches that are designed in ways that respect workers’ rights to privacy and dignity instead of
security guards stripping women miners naked. The ministry of women, youth and persons with disabilities, mine affected communities, and civil society organizations have also condemned the horrific violations.
At the NUM women’s conference in March, Magrett Gabanele, chairperson of women’s structure, said the union remains committed “to fighting against gender-based violence and harassment for women miners.”
“This is not only about labour violations and or privacy breaches, but also about gender-based violence at its most invasive and brutal. It is about the commodification of women’s bodies in the name of security. It is about the silent consent of those who benefit from systems that allow such dehumanization. When women’s bodies are sites of surveillance, suspicion and violence, it is not just an issue of poor management; it is a manifestation of entrenched patriarchy at the workplace,” wrote Tania Bowers and Lebo Mncayi-Poloko former NUM women’s structure members in the Sowetan.
Paule France Ndessomin, IndustriALL Sub-Saharan Africa regional secretary, said:
“The reprehensible actions of security guards at Kopanang Mine, which gravely violate the dignity of women, must be unequivocally condemned. The mine must urgently enact robust policies to stop this humiliation and gender-based violence.”
______________________________
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