COSATU Today 10 November 2009

The YCLSA says good riddance; his resignation exposes his resistance to transformation in Eskom and his intentions to destabilise the institution in terms of governance and administration and basically to sabotage the mandate of our government to turn-around the crises at the power utility.

The YCLSA believes that this is a progressive step towards transformation and further ensuring that the mandate of ESKOM remains that of service delivery and delivering energy as a broader spectrum of the industrialization strategy as opposed to it being a profit maximisation corporate entity that seeks to exploit the poor to the benefit of the few elite lily white corporations

We doubt that Godsell's attempt to push Maroga had anything to do only with racism, and may actually be about business and political interests and forces that saw Eskom as a cash-cow, and wanted their fingers in the Eskom's pot of gold. We have it on good authority that Maroga resisted all of these shenanigans, especially an attempt by Godsell to play the executive role, and thus the mockery that transpired last weekend.

We were also sickened by Godsell’s divisive attitude of the senior management of Eskom, treating other officials and managers as his blue-eyed boys. Thus, we say, good riddance.

The feud at Eskom displays the need for the Minister of Public Enterprise to clearly distinguish the role of the board in parastatals and those of their executives. This was the case with the SABC Board, and now it is a crisis at Transnet.

Full Blown Enquiry

The YCLSA calls for an urgent, full blown enquiry into the state of Eskom and its mandate and moreover, that the inquiry should cover questions of governance and transformation. There should also be a probe as to how the staff memorandum on the resignation of Moroga was swiftly “leaked” to the Democratic Alliance. If anybody, including and especially Godsell, are discovered to have breached their fiduciary duties as a director in giving the DA crucial information without consultation, they should be bought to book.

We implore Maroga to concentrate on the pressing crises around the launch of a turn-around strategy, the building of new power stations, financing of new power generation projects, rampant power cuts and a possible 45% tariff increase in the next 3 years as what should preoccupy the leadership and executive of Eskom.

We hold no brief for Maroga, and want him and his senior management to know that if they fail the poor in terms of provision of electricity, we will hold them accountable and there will be no scapegoat in the form of Godsell.

1.2 ANCYL concern about on-going reporting of Malema’s security in the media

Floyd Shivambu, ANC Youth League Spokesperson, 09 November 2009

The ANC Youth League has initially chosen not to entertain the irresponsible, immoral and disgusting Newspapers’ reports about the security of our President, Julius Malema. We did so because we strongly believe that security issues are not supposed to be discussed in public, even when meant to score cheap political points. The statements released by right-wing political parties, the DA in particular in response to this confidential matter are clearly informed by the racist traditions of these minorities’ parties.

The ANC YL calls on all responsible media to altogether stop reporting on the personal security of the ANC YL President because we believe it is confidential. We also call on the DA to shut up and respect the democratic principles, institutions and processes of the ANC led government. Majority of DA supporters witnessed with appreciation when apartheid sponsored killings of thousands of our people for many years and know of the cowardly assassination of Chris Hani. It can never be correct that they are the first ones to complain when the President of the ANC YL is given security. We are left with little option, but to believe that the DA’s objection to ANC YL President’s security arrangements is informed by ulterior and possibly fatal motives.

The morality of the media in South Africa, particularly the foreign owned Independent Newspapers has completely degenerated. They continue to sensationally report about the President of the ANC Youth League without facts. The Youth League will continue to expose these foreign owned vampires, who manipulate desperate black and African Journalists to rubbish and bastardise African leadership.

1.3 YCLSA and ANCYL wish matriculants well in their exams

Alex Mashilo, YCLSA Provincial Secretary andThabo Kupa, ANC YL Provincial Secretary, 9 November 2009

The YCL and the ANCYL in the province of Gauteng has wished all matriculants in the province all the best in their final examinations.

The organisations salute educators, the provincial Department of Education and communities in the province who have worked tirelessly preparing these matriculants. What is disheartening is that our provinces’ educators receive nary mention when our matriculants perform, but when matriculants underperforms the educators are blamed from all corners of society, especially by the liberal media that castigates working class communities schools’ performances.

The YCL and ANCYL also salute all the matriculants who were dedicated and committed to their studies since the beginning of this year. We also salute all those who had to learn under difficult conditions due to violent service delivery protests, skyrocketing standard of living, the escalating prices of transportation, the massive retrenchments felt by their families members, and those who lost their colleagues and loved one’s as a result of the scourge of HIV/AIDS pandemic that continues to cause havoc amongst teachers and our parents.

We dedicate our message to the resolute and fighting youth of Khutsong who fought forcefully for the re-incorporation of Khutsong back into Gauteng. We call for the provision of support programmes in the form of extra classes by our tertiary studying youth, young professionals and community members as part of assisting our matriculants. As the YCL and the ANCYL we are mindful of the fact that these examinations will be the most strenuous and challenging to the majority of matriculants, especially for those matriculants from working class and poor public schools.

As the YCLSA and ANCYL of Gauteng we hope that the provinces matriculants will rise above the occasion and do the country proud especially for ANC President Jacob Zuma who has responded to the resolve of the Freedom Charter for the provision of free, quality public education by achieving good and better results as compared to previous years.

The YCLSA and the ANCYL in the province will be working together in making sure that all those matriculants who wish to further their studies that the doors of higher learning and further education are unlocked and opened without exchange of money including access to decent work.

Once more the leadership of the YCLSA and the ANCYL in the province wishes you all the best. Do it for Chris Hani by surpassing all the previous years passing rates! Be conscious of the fact that your success is for the good of the country. From this class of 2009 matriculants we need artisans, chartered accountants, bankers, engineers, progressive economists, journalists, educators, health professors to deal with the immense challenges as dictated by the political economy of our country.

1.4 Hamba Kahle, Eleanor Kasrils

Patrick Craven, COSATU’s National Spokesperson, 9 November 2009

COSATU mourns the passing at the weekend in Cape Town of struggle heroine, Eleanor Kasrils.

The federation sends its sympathy and condolences to her husband, Ronnie, her daughter Bridgette, their sons Andrew and Christopher, their grandchildren and to all her very many comrades and friends.

Eleanor Kasrils devoted her life to the struggle to against apartheid and racism and for a non-racial, non sexist and democratic South Africa.

She joined the underground SACP in the late 1950s and entered the ranks of MK after its launch in 1960. She was part of a Natal MK network that included the late Billy Nair and Eleanor’s future husband, Ronnie Kasrils.

She joined the Congress of Democrats in 1960 after the Sharpeville massacre and took part in Umkhonto we Sizwe activities in Durban. In 1963 she was arrested under the 90-day Act, but after a few months managed to escape and went in exile with Ronnie, only returning in 1992.

In exile she worked tirelessly for the Communist Party and Umkhonto we Sizwe, and for the ANC in Tanzania and Britain with OR Tambo, with whom she continued to work after 1992 in South Africa.

She will always be remembered as one of the heroines of our struggle, who spurned the opportunity for a privileged lifestyle in apartheid South Africa, so that she could devote her life to the service of the people.

Hamba Kahle, Comrade Eleanor!

1.5 The YCLSA send its condolences to the Kasrils family

Gugu Ndima YCL National Spokesperson, 09 November 2009

The YCL is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Eleanor Kasrils, a true revolutionary who dedicated her life to the struggle. The disturbing news come as a shock to UFasimba and no words can justifiably describe her attributions to the liberation of South Africa. Eleanor Kasrils was born in 1936 and joined the Congress of Democrats in 1960 after the Sharpeville massacre.

She participated in Umkhonto we Sizwe activities in Durban and was arrested in 1963 and went into exile with Ronnie Kasrils in the same year after escaping from custody. Throughout her life she has served in various structures such as the MK, SACP and the ANC and played a crucial role in the emancipation of the oppressed.

The Young Communist league send it’s condolences to Cde. Ronnie Kasrils and his family and can only wish that they can take comfort in the memory she leaves behind as an activist a mother and a revolutionary heroine of the movement.

She has worked selflessly throughout her life to serve the noble army of freedom fighters and her legacy lives on.

1.6 Gauteng COSATU campaigns for Decent Work

Dumisani Dakile, Gauteng Provincial Secretary General, 9 November 2009

COSATU in Gauteng will be embarking upon the second phase of a Programme of Action in the Province to demand decent work and in particular for the banning of the Labour Brokers.

COSATU has noted that the negotiations at the Nedlac have deadlocked and a dispute has been declared. The employers have demonstrated to us that this battle will not be achieved through negotiations but will require workers to take to the streets.

COSATU has also noted with serious concern the press reports which have distorted the position of the ILO on this matter. COSATU calls upon those responsible to apologies for this misinformation and misleading the nation on this critical issue and such indicates that some in the press are not neutral.

COSATU has resolved to embark upon a two-week of action in the Province and the programme of action will be unleashed as follows:

First Week

Public Sector unions : 09 November 2009

Manufacturing Sector : 10 November 2009

We will be also conducting a march to a company called Weirwarman. The marches will gather at 10h00 at Isando station and the memorandum will be handed over at 12h00.

Service Sector : 11 November 2009

Agricultural and Mining sector : 12 November 2009

Construction sector : 13 November 2009

Second week

The second week will focus on the Metros and the Districts which will be as follows

Tshwane : 16 November 2009

Johannesburg and Motsweding : 17 November 2009

Sedibeng : 18 November 2009

Ekurhuleni : 19 November 2009

Westrand : 20 November 2009

We are aware that these actions will be just a starting point to mobilise our members for a bigger action and the Federation in the Province is currently planning for big action during the December period and the details will be communicated in due course.

1.7 AIDS Law Project welcomes the policy on HIV testing and deployment

Meryl Federl, AIDS Law Project Information Officer, 9 November 2009

The AIDS Law Project has welcomed the long awaited approval of the revised health classification policy of the South African National Defence Force

(SANDF) which was announced by Cabinet last week.

The new policy is a culmination of a legal challenge, in which the ALP acted for various people with HIV as well as for the South African Security Forces Union (SASFU), that was drawn out over 15 years. From 1994, we have challenged the constitutionality of HIV testing policies that were being unfairly used to exclude people with HIV from recruitment to, promotion or foreign deployment in the SANDF.

The ALP regrets the fact that its clients had to resort to courts to protect their constitutional rights and that government, which is constitutionally obliged to protect and enforce the Constitution, has been one of the last employers to amend its unconstitutional policies.

The ALP has not yet seen the final version of the policy that was approved by Cabinet. But we are confident in our and belief that it is substantially the same document the ALP and SASFU endorsed on 16 September 2009.

Cabinet's endorsement of a fair and reasonable policy in employment and deployment of people with HIV in the SANDF represents a major victory for our Constitution and the rule of law in South Africa. It marks a turning point in the history of the country and is a world first. We hope it will be a model for military employment all over the world. From now on individuals who have the necessary skills and abilities to serve our nation, who were banned from doing so in the past solely on the basis of their HIV status, will now be afforded such an opportunity without any form of hindrance.

The ALP calls on the SANDF and cabinet to publish the new policy and to ensure that it is promptly communicated to commanding officers, officials and soldiers on the ground, to avoid mixed and confusing messages. The ALP also hopes that the policy will be applied in a consistent and fair manner and that military doctors will make a sincere effort to study and understand the policy as they are central to its implementation.

Finally, the announcement by Cabinet confirms the ANC government's commitment to eradicate prejudice against those who live with HIV in our society.

The Cabinet's statement

acknowledges that the existing stigma and discrimination directed against aspirant and serving members of our military should come to an end forthwith. For this to materialise it requires a firm commitment to implement the policy on the part of the senior leadership of the SANDF.

1.8 YCL concern about the alleged rift between Minister Mthethwa and Deputy Minister Mbalula

Gugu Ndima, YCL National Spokesperson, 09 November 2009

The YCL has noted with dismay an alleged rift between the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, Deputy Minister Fikile Mbalula and Police Commissioner Bheki Cele as reported in the media. We are satisfied with the joint-response by the leadership of the Police and hope that this matter is settled. If not, we cannot afford to have divisions, especially as it relates to the core institutions and leaders who are supposed to be fighting crime.

The organization is however concerned about the relationship between Ministers and their Deputies and believes that government priorities cannot be compromised on the basis of turf-wars or competition for publicity.

The YCLSA noted the commitment by President Jacob Zuma when he appointed his cabinet that he will ensure that there are clear guidelines to govern the relationship between Ministers and Deputy Ministers, and ensure that there is effective work without any confusion. We believe that this should be done so that roles are clearly determined.

The YCLSA has the benefit of recalling the tense relations between the Minister and Deputy Minister of Health (Manto Tshabalala Msimang and Madlala Routlege) under the leadership of former President Thabo Mbeki, and how this had an effect on the struggle against HIV/AIDS.

The country cannot afford this kind of situation and call on President Zuma to move with speed in ensuring that Ministers and Deputy Ministers know and understands their roles in line with government priorities.

2. International

2.1 COSATU condemns arrest of ZCTU leaders

Patrick Craven, COSATU’s National Spokesperson, 9 November 2009

COSATU has condemned the arrest of Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions President, Lovemore Matombo, together with the whole ZCTU District Executive Committee and two ZCTU staff members Michael Kandukutu and Percy Mcijo.

The President was addressing members of the ZCTU Victoria Falls District, as the first stop on a tour of the country meeting ZCTU structures.

The arrests are an outrageous attack on the trade union movement and democracy. They confirm that the state forces in Zimbabwe, regardless of the existence of a ‘government of national unity’, are still brutally imposing their dictatorship over those who are struggling for democracy and workers’ rights.

COSATU demands the immediate and unconditional release of all those arrested.

2.2 ZCTU leader arrested

Khumbulani Ndlovu, ZCTU’s Information Officer, 9 November 2009

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions President Lovemore Matombo was last night arrested in Victoria Falls while addressing members of the ZCTU Victoria FallsDistrict. He was arrested together with the whole District Executive and two ZCTU staff members Michael Kandukutu and Percy Mcijo.

They were later transferred to Hwange police station.

The ZCTU President was on a tour of the country meeting ZCTU structures and the Victoria Falls meeting was the first meeting of his tour.

2.3 Launch of the Swaziland Democracy Campaign

Venitia Govender Swaziland Democracy Campaign Preparatory

28^th November 2009 will mark an historic day in the struggle for democracy in Swaziland. On this day organisations representing the overwhelming majority of the oppressed and struggling people of Swaziland, and organisations supporting their cause here in South Africa, will jointly gather in Johannesburg to formally launch the Swaziland Democracy Campaign.

This campaign builds on the proud tradition of joint border blockades between South African organisations and their Swazi counterparts, started in 1996 by COSATU, the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions and PUDEMO in Swaziland, this momentum snowballed into the Joint Swazi Action Campaign (JSAC) and ultimately in the forthcoming launch of the Swaziland Democracy NOW! Campaign.

The Campaign is the culmination of a series of consultations, joint mass activities, a sustained information campaign and the exchange of ideas and experiences on mass mobilisation between South African organisations and their Swazi counterparts, to expose King Mswati and his cohorts for their continued suffocation of the Swazi people’s aspirations, corruption and extravagance in the midst of dehumanising poverty.

Through the Swaziland Democracy Campaign we hope to launch a Global Campaign initiative involving millions of people, including justice activists, democrats and internationalists all over the world, acting in unity against the oppressive tinkhundla regime in Swaziland.

The campaign has already struck a chord with global activists in different parts of the world, who have already started pledging their support and interest in actively participating and supporting the struggle for democracy in Swaziland.

In this regard, we note and welcome the visit of Swaziland trade unionists to Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal, with the kind assistance of various friends of the Swazi people, who have recorded huge successes in raising the profile of the Swazi people’s struggle and winning more support for the cause.

We also salute the British TUC for their efforts to consolidate a decisive and clear initiative towards the coming Commonwealth Heads of State summit in Trinidad and Tobago and the impetus added by the International Trade Union Confederation report on Swaziland in which it is identified as one of the worst violators of workers’ rights and demonstrating a lack of respect for basic democratic obligations.

Through this campaign we will assert that the focus is the enemy of the Swazi people - the royal family and the tinkhundla regime as a whole. All people of the world must be rallied against these as targets who must be isolated, exposed and confronted wherever they go. Their assets must be frozen, their luxuries confiscated and their lives made miserable as they are doing to the suffering people of Swaziland.

For far too long, the Swaziland economy has been used to parasitically feed the royal family and beef up their security by brutalising the people’s campaign for democracy and change. The message must be loud and clear, this is the time for sanctions against Swaziland’s ruling regime.

This Campaign follows a series of actions organised throughout September, and a successful meeting of South African civil society organisations held on 22 October 2009, attended by NGOs, faith-based organisations, solidarity and social movements, political parties, Alliance formations, COSATU and its affiliated unions, PUDEMO activists and individual solidarity activists.

This meeting developed a shared understanding of what solidarity means and how this translates into concrete actions. It was through this assessment that the idea of a global campaign for democracy, starting here in South Africa was born. This Campaign enjoys the full confidence and legitimacy of all those involved and who are affected by the struggle, as it brings together both those in whose name the struggle is being waged and those who are offering solidarity or supporting the flag bearers of the cause.

This initiative has benefited immensely from the proud traditions of the anti-apartheid movement and other international solidarity initiatives throughout the world, in whose achievements and lessons this Campaign stands. Armed with activists who were personally involved in many international struggles, particularly the anti-apartheid movement and a wealth of experienced trade unionists, NGO activists and internationalists of varying form, this initiative is destined for greater heights.

However, all this relies on the vast knowledge, involvement and leadership of the Swazi people themselves and their representative organisations on the matters that only they know best.

In the run up to the launch of the Swaziland Democracy campaign we will be engaging in:

· A seminar to exchange views between organisations from Swaziland and their counterparts from Zimbabwe and South Africa. It will share lessons from the transitions and challenges in these countries. It will also include a scenario development and analysis process to map our future scenarios for a democratic Swaziland and will agree a joint programme of action to guide the momentum towards a sustained offensive.

· Processes on both sides of the border to prepare for the launch, which will consolidate all of them into a single mighty wave for a new and democratic Swaziland.

The formal launch of a Swaziland Democracy Campaign will take place on 28^th November 2009 in Johannesburg through the joint work of both Swaziland and South African progressive and civil society organisations

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