Taking COSATU Today Forward, 3 September 2025 #CosatuCC2025

[Norman Mampane]

 

COSATU TODAY #CosatuCC2025 Count down has begun…. #Cosatu scheduled to convene its ordinary 8th Central Committee this month, September 2025 #CosatuCC2025 #WorkerControl #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

3 September 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!

• Hundreds of COSATU delegates to gather at the Federation’s 8^th Central Committee this September

• South Africa
• Youth Development Agency on NSFAS partnership to empower SA’s youth
• International-Workers’ Solidarity!
• Cape Verde: Historic salary increase brings stability and dignity to the teaching profession

Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics  

Hundreds of COSATU delegates to gather at the Federation’s 8^th Central Committee this September

Zanele Sabela, (COSATU National Spokesperson, 02 September 2025

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) will convene its 8^th Central Committee meeting on the 15^th -18^th of September. Held under the theme: “Building working-class unity for economic liberation towards socialism”, the four-day event will bring together around 400 members from the Federation’s affiliates, labour service organisations and international guests to amongst others, review the implementation of resolutions adopted at the previous Congress, provide political direction and focus on organisational issues ahead of the National Congress next year.

COSATU President Zingiswa Losi will deliver the keynote address with messages of support from the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP).

Details of the event are as follows:

Date: 15-18 September 2025

Venue: Anew OR Tambo Hotel (formerly The Lakes Hotel, Benoni, Ekurhuleni)

All members of the media are invited to attend, and are encouraged to apply for accreditation to cover the event.

Applications for accreditation may be submitted to mam...@cosatu.org.za or non...@cosatu.org.za with the following details:

Name:
Surname:
ID number: 
Media House/Address:
Contact number/email: 

Alternatively, an application form can be completed via this link:

https://forms.office.com/r/Yhyb5S6h59

Issued by COSATU

Zanele Sabela (COSATU National Spokesperson)
Mobile: 079 287 5788 or 077 600 6639
Email: zan...@cosatu.org.za

South Africa

Youth Development Agency on NSFAS partnership to empower SA’s youth

02 Sep 2025

NYDA and NSFAS forge strategic partnership to empower SA’s youth

Today, the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). This collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), marks a significant commitment to expanding educational and development opportunities for young people across South Africa, with a dedicated focus on those in rural areas, townships, and informal settlements.

This partnership is a direct response to the critical skills gap and persistent inequality that hinder youth advancement. Data from the NYDA’s Jobs Programme highlight that the majority of young people reside in rural areas and many do not possess a matric qualification. In response, the NYDA has initiated this partnership with NSFAS to align efforts, combine resources, and redirect young people toward opportunities in institutions of higher learning.

Key pillars of the collaboration

The MOU establishes a framework for action built on several key pillars:

Decentralised access: To bring services closer to young people, NSFAS will leverage the NYDA’s national footprint. NYDA offices, particularly those in rural, township, and informal settlement areas, will serve as walk-in support centres for NSFAS applications, ensuring vital funding services are accessible to all.

Bridging the digital divide: Recognising that connectivity should not be a barrier to education, the NYDA and NSFAS are exploring partnerships with telecommunications providers. This initiative aims to ensure reliable online application processes, even in the most remote locations.

Expanding educational pathways: To address the current imbalance in applications, the partnership will actively promote greater awareness and support for funding opportunities at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, creating a more diverse and skilled future workforce.

Solving student accommodation: The organisations will collaborate on developing sustainable, innovative solutions to the student accommodation crisis, with the NYDA contributing directly to ongoing policy development in this critical area.

The partnership reflects the current NYDA Board’s unwavering focus on inclusivity and equitable access to essential youth services. By working closely with NSFAS, the NYDA aims to ensure that financial aid, development support, and educational access extend beyond urban centres, reaching every young person, no matter where they live.

The NYDA Executive Chairperson, Dr Sunshine Myende, says this partnership marks a pivotal moment in building a more inclusive and prosperous future for all South African youth. “This MOU is more than a formal agreement. It is a commitment to ensuring that no young person is left behind, regardless of their location. Through this collaboration, we are opening doors not just to funding, but to opportunity, development, and ultimately dignity,” says Dr Myende.

The NYDA reaffirms its unwavering commitment to building a South Africa where every young person can thrive. This partnership with NSFAS is a cornerstone of our strategic mission to foster holistic youth development.

Enquiries:
Mr Tabudi Madisha
Manager: Communications
E-mail: Tabudi....@nyda.gov.za

Ms Buhle Geleba
Specialist: Media and Public Relations
E-mail: Buhle....@nyda.gov.za

Issued by National Youth Development Agency

International-Solidarity   

Cape Verde: Historic salary increase brings stability and dignity to the teaching profession

Standards and working conditions Leading the profession, 2 September 2025

In a landmark victory for educators, Cape Verdean teacher unions have achieved a significant salary increase, marking recognition and valorization for the teaching profession.

The Plan for careers, functions and remunerations (PCFR) adopted by the National Assembly establishes a new salary structure aiming to bring stability and dignity to the teaching profession. Effective from August 18, 2025, it includes retroactive payments from January of the same year.

Result of a relentless struggle

This outcome was made possible thanks to the persistence, determination, and sustained dialogue between the representative unions and the Ministry of Education of Cape Verde.

Abraão Borges, secretary general of the Federaçao Caboverdiana dos Professores (FECAP) – an Education International (EI) member organization –, president of the Sindicato dos Professores da Ilha de Santiago (SIPROFIS) and member of the EI Africa Regional Committee, welcomes this achievement: “It is a historic milestone in Cape Verde, because teachers have gone a long time without a salary and their careers were at a standstill.”

The new salary structure

The new salary structure offers substantial increases across different categories of teachers:

• Teachers without formal training will see their salaries rise from 23,000 CVE (around 210 euros) to 55,000 CVE (around 500 euros).
• Licensed teachers will have their salaries increased from 78,000 CVE (around 710 euros) to 91,000 CVE (around 825 euros).
• Teachers with a master's degree will benefit from salaries starting at 106,000 CVE (around 960 euros) and increasing up to 121,000 CVE (around 1100 euros), depending on their specific cases.

Ensuring the PCFR implementation and a smooth start of the school year

The transition list for the new PCFR has been published in the official gazette. SIPROFIS has committed to closely monitoring the implementation of the process to ensure equity and transparency. Borges states, adding: “We will continue our dialogue, because we have always worked with the Ministry of Education in an open dialogue that existed throughout this time.”

As the new academic year approaches, the union is focused on ensuring a smooth and stable start. Borges highlights the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation: “We want to start the school year with a harmonious relationship between the Ministry of Education, teachers, schools, parents, and guardians." The union has also assured teachers that they are ready to address any complaints collectively if they are relevant.

______________________________

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

 

 

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