Taking COSATU Today Forward, 28 #Internationalism
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY COSATU Call Center Contacts: 010 002 2590 Today, #Cosatu convenes an International Policy Review Workshop at Boksburg… #Internationalism #GreenJobs #NationaActionAgainstCostOfLiving Campaign continues… #ClassWar #Cosatu40 #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
28 July 2026
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- Employment and Labour invites comments on Draft Reviewed Code of Good Practice on the preparation, monitoring and implementation of the Employment Equity Plan
- South Africa
- COSATU International Policy Review Workshop
& Extended International Relations Committee (IRC) of COSATU - International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Zimbabwe: Supreme Court reinstates 135 sacked Waverley Blankets workers
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics #ClassWar
Employment
and Labour invites comments on Draft Reviewed Code of Good Practice on the preparation, monitoring and implementation of the Employment Equity Plan
27
Jul 2026
The
Department of Employment and Labour is inviting stakeholders and interested parties to comment on the Draft Reviewed Code of Good Practice on the Preparation and Implementation of the Employment Equity (EE) Plan.
The invitation for public comment will be for 60 days from the date of publication on 24 July 2026. The code deals with aspects such as its objectives, the application, its purpose and rational of the EE Plan, legal framework, structure of the EE Plan, process
for preparation, implementation and monitoring, development of the EE Plan and reporting.
The Code provides guidelines to designated employers, those who employ 50 or more employees, and their employees on good practice for the preparation, implementation and monitoring of an employment equity plan as required by the Employment Equity Act, No. 55
of 1998 (EEA), as amended, and its Regulations.
It also provides guidelines to employers and employees to consider and apply appropriately to their workplace circumstances.
This Code applies to all designated employers that are required to, in consultation with representative trade union(s) or its employees, or employee representatives, prepare, implement and monitor the EE Plan in terms of the EEA, as amended, and its Regulations.
The Code is issued in terms of section 54 of the EEA and must be read in conjunction with other Codes issued in terms of the Act, all relevant labour legislation, the Constitution and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act.
All public comments must be in writing and forwarded to:
Christina...@labour.gov.za
Tsholofe...@labour.gov.za
Enquiries:
Teboho Thejane
Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 082 697 0694
E-mail: teboho....@labour.gov.za
Issued by Department of Employment and Labour
South Africa #ClassSolidarity
COSATU
International Policy Review Workshop
& Extended International Relations Committee (IRC) of COSATU
Bongani
Masuku, COSATU International Relations Secretary, 28th – 30th July 2026
Theme:
Working class internationalism in the age of hyper-imperialism, economic exclusion and deepening class inequalities-Class
struggle for decent work, economic power and global solidarity!
Background
COSATU was born in 1985 at the height of the struggle against apartheid and capitalism. It is a federation of unions representing workers in all sectors of the South African economy and has grown to become a critical driving force of the working class struggle
in the country and globally.
This is a result of hard battles, setbacks and challenges, as well as victories and advances that have steeled workers and made COSATU the mainstay of the battle-tested unions for working class power.
To this end, the federation is celebrating its 40th anniversary as both a moment of deep reflection and honest introspection towards a profound moment of realignment and renewal. We are proud of the gains we have made and the valuable experiences insights that
have given us important lessons about defending and advancing the aspirations of workers as a class in itself, for itself and of itself.
Our rich history is tied to the rich history of our liberation struggle that defeated apartheid and ushered-in the historic 1994 democratic breakthrough. This was not a result of benevolence on the side of the apartheid regime, it was a deep and protracted
struggle, backed by powerful global solidarity that broke the back of the apartheid system.
This is the main reason why we unapologetically celebrate the gains we have made, including a democratic constitution of the country and a progressive labour legislative framework that gave birth to NEDLAC as our premier social dialogue institution and the
various other pieces of legislation that protects workers rights. But we know too well that without struggle, power concedes nothing. Hence our sustained mobilisation, active engagement in policy work to defend these gains consistently.
Our work over the past 40 years, also talks to a proud record of working class internationalism and solidarity. COSATU has been at the coal-face of the most protracted international solidarity struggles in the world.
COSATU has taken on global Zionism and led powerful working class mobilisations in the country and globally against genocide and the occupation of Palestine by the Israeli apartheid regime. This is one of the most relentless, vicious and globally vested force
of world imperialism, the Zionist state of Israel. COSATU has taken it on in the streets, in global multilateral institutions and even within sections of the international trade union movement, particularly on the global north (Europe and North America).
COSATU has been involved in East Timor with the result that Xanana Gusmao was eventually released after 28 years in jail by the military Junta in Indonesia, which was one of our most profound involvement in the Asia Pacific region. COSATU actively participated
in the global solidarity campaign for democracy in Burma, which resulted in the ultimate release of Aung San Suu Kyi, who was welcome on release by the international trade union movement in Geneva during an International Labour Conference.
COSATU remains the core of the world trade union movement actively involved with the Cuban revolution and the massive contributions Cuba has made to world revolution, in particular on our own continent, Africa. From Algeria to Angola and Namibia, eventually
to our own revolution here in South Africa, it was and remains the unwavering solidarity contribution by Cuba led by Fidel Castro. This is why COSATU is part of the global movement celebrating the great Centenary of El Commandante Fidel Castro, who would have
been turning 100 years in August, 2026.
In no small way was the contribution of Cuba the reason why for so long, Latin America has been the epi-centre of global solidarity, in the main. It is further cemented by our recognition of the massive Caribbean community of Afro-descendants and trans-atlantic
slaves, with whom we have shared trenches in the global fight against colonialism, apartheid and racism.
Without the slightest doubt, COSATU has been a pivot and anchor of internationalism and solidarity on our own continent, particularly in our region, SADC. COSATU stood firmly and remains unwavering in solidarity with the workers and the people of Swaziland
(Eswatini) under one of the most brutal monarchies in recent history.
It is the tragedy of the African post-colonial state that in our own region, we still tolerate the level of repression meted out by the Swazi king against his people and the region remains lukewarm, if not turning a total blind eye to this historic tragedy. This is Southern Africa’s most sore wound since the end of apartheid in 1994.
COSATU stood and still remain resolute in solidarity with the workers and the people of Zimbabwe, which has been our sustained campaign and solidarity work, which has also connected us closer with the workers led by ZCTU and its affiliates. No doubt, our joint
coordination has resulted in SADC workers advances in the past and must be re-aligned accordingly to build a regional working class movement for decent work, industrialisation and inclusive development.
COSATU International Review and the momentum towards a new International Policy
COSATU is undertaking a major Review of its international work, capacity, costs and impact towards a new International Policy. This work has been commissioned by the CEC to study the changing global geo-political economy, its impact on workers and the African
continent, to help the federation ensure a proper realignment of our objectives and organisational infrastructure and capacity. NALEDI is leading the Survey and has already developed a preliminary report, which shall be tabled at the Workshop.
The federation also recognises the centrality of the ILO as a premier global labour institution, hence our primary emphasis on aligning our policy and goals towards maximising our impact in this and other key global and continental institutions of relevance
to workers and advancement of social justice and decent work.
Towards this end, the themes for the Workshop are based on the following areas of key and strategi interest to COSATU;
1.Multinational Companies, supply chains and workers rights for decent work
2.The ACFTA, industrialisation and workers rights – The importance of social and labour clauses in trade and investment agreements
3.The future of work, artificial intelligence (AI) and new forms of workplace organisation
4.The state of the working class in Africa, collective bargaining and the role of the trade union movement on the African continent – Advancing Conventions 87 and 98 in the wake of the ICJ ruling on the right to strike
5.Towards a new working class internationalism – working class solidarity in the age of hyper imperialism, economic exclusion and deepening class inequalities
These issues are also informed by the current struggles workers globally are involved in and some of the statistics shall be shared at the Workshop on the trends and implications for workers, both domestically and globally.
Programme
Day One - Chaired by 1st Deputy President, Mike Shingange
8h30
– 9h00: Registration
9h00 – 9h30: Welcome remarks and background to the purpose of the workshop – General Secretary, Solly Phetoe
9h30 – 10h00: Introduction – All
10h00 -10h30: Opening Address – President, Zingiswa Losi
10h30 – 11h30: ILO Conventions and international labour standards as instruments of advancing decent work in Multinational Companies and supply chains – ILO
11h30: 12h30: COSATU International Policy Review Process and Survey: Preliminary findings - NALEDI Director, Liesl Orr
-Discussions
13h00 – 14h00: Lunch
14h00 – 15h00: The global geo-political and economic trends and their strategic implications for Africa and the working class in the age of hyper-imperialism, economic exclusion and deepening class inequalities – International Secretary, Bongani Masuku
15h00: - 15h30: Health Break
15h30 – 16h30: Discussions
16h30 – 18h00: Artificial Intelligence (AI), the future of work and new forms of organisation – ILO
Day Two
Chaired by a COSATU CEC member
9h00
– 10h00: The African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) and the importance of labour clauses in all trade and investment agreements for an inclusive, just and sustainable development model on the African continent – ALREI Director, Dr Hod Anyigba
10h00 – 11h00: Panel Discussion on: Assessing the state of decent work on the African continent and the role of the African trade union movement in advancing workers struggles for decent work and solidarity, democracy, economic justice and inclusive development.
Discussant: Kwasi Adu Amankwah, former General Secretary of the Ghana TUC and ITUC Africa
Respondents:
1.Arezki Mezoud
– General Secretary of OATUU
2.Joel Odigie – General Secretary of ITUC Africa
3.Maja Mphahlele – Africa Coordinator of WFTU
11h00 – 11h30: Health Break
11h30 – 13h00: Discussions
13h00: 14h00: Lunch
14h00 – 15h30: The Political economy of migration, Immigration and workers rights - TBC
15h30: - 16h00: Health Break
16h00 – 18h00: Towards priority areas for the International Policy Review of COSATU from the report and discussions
Day 3:
Chaired by NOB
Extended
International Relations Committee (IRC)
9h00 – 9h30: Welcome Remarks – NOB
9h30 – 10h00: Credentials - Attendance and Apologies
10h00 – 10h30: Minutes of the Previous IRC
10h30 – 11h00: Matters arising;
-International Policy Review and NALEDI Survey
-International Solidarity Coordinating Forum
-COSATU Provincial International Twinning Programme
11h30 – 12h00: Presentation of the International Report to the IRC
12h00 – 12h30: Discussion and Adoption of the International Report
12h30 – 13h00: Processing of International Resolutions to the 15th National Congress
13h00 – 13h30: Official Closure – NOB
_________
Trade,
Industry and Competition on SA exporters securing trade leads in Angola
27
Jul 2026
As the curtain comes down on the Feira Internacional de Angola (FILDA), which took place in Luanda from 21 to 26 July 2026, the South African business delegation is returning home with a bag full of promising trade leads. The businesspeople, who received support
from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the DTIC), showcased their proudly South African products and services at the exhibition and registered promising trade leads with potential to translate into business opportunities.
The exporters represent the agro-processing, steel and metal fabrication, engineering and mining, and chemicals sectors.
The owner of La RicMal Wines, Mr Malcolm Green said he received a positive response from importers and distributors from the Angolan market, which he attributed to the quality, pricing and packaging of his products.
“We received a good response from importers and distributors based on the quality of the product, the price and the packaging. There are also businesses operating in Angola that serve markets beyond the country’s borders, including neighbouring countries such
as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Namibia who showed interest in doing business with us. This creates an opportunity for products to enter Angola and subsequently move into other regional markets,” he said.
“My experience from FILDA is that the opportunity for South African businesses is now. FILDA has grown, and there is a clear appetite among the international business community to invest in Africa. I see Angola as a gateway, with FILDA serving as an important
conduit for South African businesses seeking to access other African markets,” he said.
Johannesburg-based steel fabrication company InfraPower Engineering used its participation at FILDA 2026 to explore new export opportunities, partnerships and collaborations across Africa and international markets.
According to the Managing Director of InfraPower, Mr Rakgomo Maetje, the company has engaged with potential clients and collaborators from Angola, Zimbabwe, India and other countries represented at the exhibition. It has also held discussions with the Chamber
of Commerce in Angola, which highlighted potential future projects, including transmission projects that could create opportunities for the company.
“The exhibition generated strong interest in our products, with visitors making inquiries and requesting pricing on some of the offerings. We are pleased that we participated and look forward to engaging further with the clients and potential clients we have
met,” said Rakgomo.
Lizwile Engineering was targeting strategic partnerships and new export opportunities in Angola, with a focus on supporting the country’s infrastructure, mining, energy and oil and gas sectors. According to the Executive Director of Lizwile Engineering, Ms
Nomagugu Mvelase, the company has established relationships with several companies in Angola during the exhibition and is exploring further collaboration with South African companies participating in the delegation.
“We are also pursuing opportunities in other African markets, including Ghana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Kenya. Our technical expertise and experience in delivering projects under challenging conditions positions us to contribute meaningfully to infrastructure
development across the continent,” said Mvelase.
According to the Director of Sales and Marketing at TLT-Turbo Africa, Mr Vusi Madlopha, TLT Turbo Africa is exploring opportunities in Angola’s growing oil and gas and mining sectors, with a particular focus on refinery upgrades and the development of underground
mining operations.
Madlopha said engaging with local markets provided an opportunity for businesses to learn about the languages and cultures that drive business in different African countries. “We believe it is a good opportunity for us to be here now and establish our structure
with the local agents we have identified so that we can exploit the business opportunities in this country,” added Madlopha.
The Founder and Brand Development Executive of the Eastern Cape-based Analit Africa Consumer Brands, the manufacturers of cooking oil, Mr Lungisa Lutshaba said the participation at FILDA 2026 has opened significant opportunities for partnerships, distribution
and investment as the company explores expanding its products into the Angolan market.
“We have identified potential distributors and partners interested in establishing relationships and investing in the business. We also engaged with representatives from a major bank, who requested a business plan, while major retailers and packaging companies
expressed interest in further discussions,” said Lutshaba.
Over 2 000 visitors were recorded at the South African pavilion, with 82 trade leads gathered by the companies, 341 buyers met with the companies, and 55 business-to-business meetings were facilitated at the South African pavilion.
The trade exhibition forms part of the government’s efforts to actively shape export markets by expanding opportunities for South African companies and improving the effectiveness of export promotion measures across the African continent.
Enquiries:
Bongani Lukhele
Director: Media Relations
Tel: 012 394 1643
Cell: 079 508 3457
WhatsApp: 074 299 8512
E-mail: BLuk...@thedtic.gov.zaor Mediare...@thedtic.gov.za
Issued by Department of Trade, Industry and Competition
Internationalism-Solidarity
Zimbabwe: Supreme Court reinstates 135 sacked Waverley Blankets workers
23 July, 2026
On 13 July 2026, Zimbabwean textile workers won a major Supreme Court victory after Waverley Blankets dismissed 135 workers for refusing to give up their
permanent contracts.
In December 2023, the Harare-based blanket and bedding manufacturing company told workers to sign fixed-term contracts or face termination. The workers rejected the move, arguing that it violated Zimbabwe’s Labour Act and stripped them of hard-won job security.
With support from the Zimbabwe Textile Workers Union (ZTWU), an affiliate of IndustriALL Global Union, the workers challenged the Waverley Blankets dismissals through arbitration and the courts. After setbacks, the union won the case on appeal at the Supreme
Court.
Matika, Gwisai and Partners, the union’s lawyers, argued that an employer cannot use a waiver to take away workers’ rights and that any termination of employment must comply with Zimbabwean labour laws. They also argued that the workers never agreed to have
their permanent contracts replaced with fixed-term contracts.
The court challenge was supported by IndustriALL.
Waverley Blankets dismissals pushed workers into hardship
For Emmanuel Chadiwa, the Waverley union chairperson who had worked at the company as a mechanic since 2010, the dismissal pushed his family into crisis.
“I last reported for work on 15 January 2024, when security guards told us not to enter the company gate. We returned the next day hoping the company would allow us back, but nothing changed. That is when we realised our fight for justice would take a long
time,”
said Chadiwa.
“Life became very difficult. I had children in school and no money for exam and school fees. I survived by doing piece jobs offloading trucks, sometimes earning only US$10 a week, a fraction of the US$340 I earned monthly on the shop floor. It was painful.”
“As a worker with a disability, losing my job changed my life for the worse. I was pushed into poverty and uncertainty, surviving on small piece jobs and living off the streets,”
said Matthew Ngwaru, former union vice chairperson at Waverley who has been with the company since 2009.
Supreme Court victory restores workers’ income and dignity
Munyaradzi Jaricha, who worked as an internal security officer, said:
“Winning this case means justice has been done after the unfair dismissal we suffered. For over a year, we struggled with no income, but this victory gives us hope and proves that workers’ rights can be protected when workers stand together with their union.”
“Since 16 December 2023, I have been doing odd jobs and vending to feed my family. Without a stable salary, it has been difficult to pay rent and meet basic needs.”
“The dismissal affected my family badly. We struggled to put food on the table daily. This victory brings relief because it means we may get our jobs back and provide for our families again.”
Norman Makono, ZTWU general secretary, said the Supreme Court ruling was a victory for justice and workers’ rights:
“Workers are celebrating this court victory while waiting for Waverley to inform them of the return-to-work date.”
Atle Høie, IndustriALL general secretary, said:
“This is a powerful reminder that employers cannot simply dismiss workers with impunity. We applaud ZTWU for standing firm in defending workers’ rights. It is however scandalous that the fees for bringing a case to the Supreme Court are so high that it is almost
impossible for unions to do so.”
______________________________
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