Taking COSATU Today Forward, 29 September 2025 #Cosatu@40 #Cosatu40thAnniversary
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #Cosatu40Anniversary celebration events are taking place in provinces…. #Cosatu@40 #Cosatu40thAnniversary #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
29 September 2025
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
Organize at every workplace and demand respect for labour rights Now!
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- POPCRU secures reinstatement of trainees at SAPS Bhisho Academy
- COSATU to host lectures in the lead up to 40th anniversary
- South Africa
- COSATU deeply concerned about employers who default on pension fund contributions
- COSATU Kwazulu-Natal Special Provincial Executive Committee Statement
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- South-Asian education unions push for improved health, well-being, and gender equality curricula
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
POPCRU secures reinstatement of trainees at SAPS Bhisho Academy
Richard Mamabolo, POPCRU National Spokesperson, 27 September 2025
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) welcomes the outcome of our engagements with the South African Police Service (SAPS) on the unfair removal of trainees from the Bhisho Training College. These comrades had been excluded on the basis of having visible tattoos and other human resource-related matters.
After robust interventions and consistent engagements at national level, we are proud to announce that the affected members have been reinstated and recalled to the Introductory Police Development Learning Programme (IPDLP) at the SAPS Academy in Bhisho, running from 29 September 2025 to 12 December 2025.
This development is a direct result of POPCRU’s unwavering commitment to defending the rights of our members against unjust practices. It is also a clear demonstration that when we stand united, we can achieve victories that protect both the dignity and the future of workers within the criminal justice cluster.
While SAPS has reiterated its position on visible tattoos in uniform, it is important to emphasise that no member should face arbitrary exclusion or discrimination on this basis. POPCRU will continue engaging with SAPS to ensure fair and progressive policies that reflect the values of inclusivity, transformation, and respect for diversity.
We salute the 15 members who will now rejoin their training and urge them to continue with dedication as they embark on their careers. Their reinstatement is not only their victory, but a victory for all workers in uniform who look to their union for protection and advocacy.
This outcome reaffirms POPCRU’s historic mission — to be the shield of our members and to fight for justice in the workplace and beyond.
*A victory for one is a victory for all!*
*POPCRU – Defending Workers’ Rights, Advancing Justice!*
Issued by POPCRU
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COSATU to host lectures in the lead up to 40th anniversary
Zanele Sabela, COSATU National Spokesperson, 25 September 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is set the host a series of lectures in the lead up to its 40th anniversary celebration at Dobsonville Stadium on 6 December.
The culmination of four years of unity talks, COSATU came into being on 1 December 1985, and brought together 33 competing unions and federations opposed to apartheid and whose common goal was to bring about a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society.
The Federation has been at the forefront of advancing, defending and protecting the interests and rights of workers since, and has led in the formation of the country’s progressive labour laws including workers’ rights to form trade unions, collective bargaining and to strike, minimum conditions of service, National Minimum Wage, etc.
From its vehement resistance of apartheid to the ushering in of the democratic dispensation and improving the economic and social wellbeing of the working class 31 years post democracy, COSATU has stood the test of time.
In the lead up to its 40th anniversary in December, the Federation will host a variety of activities starting with a series of lectures by its National Office Bearers.
The lectures will tackle diverse subjects from COSATU’s pivotal role in gender struggles to the strike that broke the back of industry-wide exploitative labour practices as far back as 1959.
Province:
KwaZulu Natal
Date:
30 September
Venue: Playhouse, Durban
Topic: History that led to the formation of COSATU
Main Speaker: Mike Shingange, COSATU 1st Deputy President
Province:
Western Cape
Date:
30 September
Venue: SACTWU Hall, Salt River
Topic: Rebuilding worker power in the service sector: Organising in an age of precarity Main Speaker: Solly Phetoe, COSATU General Secretary
Province: Mpumalanga
Date: 16 October
Venue: Ikhethelo Secondary School, Bethal
Topic: Gert Sibande Potato Boycott
Main Speaker: Duncan Luvuno, COSATU 2nd Deputy President
Province:
Free State
Date:
3 October
Topic: COSATU and the International Struggle
Main Speaker: Gerald Twala, COSATU Deputy General Secretary
Province:
Northern Cape
Date:
30 October
Topic: COSATU and the Liberation Movement
Main Speaker: Solly Phetoe, COSATU General Secretary
Province:
North-West
Date:
19 November
Topic: Strengthening Industrial Unions to build a militant COSATU
Main Speaker: Duncan Luvuno, COSATU 2nd Deputy President
Province:
Eastern Cape
Date:
20 November
Topic: COSATU and the Reconfiguration of the Alliance
Main Speaker: Mike Shingange, COSATU 1st Deputy President
Province:
Gauteng
Date:
21 November
Topic: COSATU and the Mass Democratic Movement
Main Speaker: Zingiswa Losi, COSATU President
Issued by COSATU
COSATU deeply concerned about employers who default on pension fund contributions
Zanele Sabela, COSATU National Spokesperson, 28 September 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is gravely concerned after learning the number of employers defaulting on paying workers’ pension fund contributions to relevant funds has doubled since last year.
The Financial Services Conduct Authority (FSCA) has once again released its report of employers who deduct pension fund contributions from their employees’ salaries but fail to pay it over to the relevant fund. In 2024, the FSCA placed the total number of defaulting employers at 7 700, but this year that number has more than doubled to 15 521, jeopardising the financial futures of almost 600 000 workers.
This is a disturbing trend considering the number of defaulters in 2024 was nearly twice what it was in 2023 at 4 000, when the report was released for the first time.
As with previous years, the sectors with the greatest number of defaulting employers include the automotive and private security industries as well as municipalities. The total outstanding contributions amount to R7.29 billion.
COSATU is on record for pointing out that these employers are not only breaking the law but are toying with the futures of their employees, because when pension fund contributions are in arears, workers’ death and disability benefits become void with devastating consequences for the worker and their family, particularly security officers who work under dangerous conditions.
The situation is no less precarious for automotive workers given the impact of the 30% tariff imposed on South African exports to the US. The detrimental effect is already being felt with Goodyear having shut its doors and Ford intending to retrench more than 470 workers.
Clearly, we cannot afford a situation where these workers are unable to claim their benefits should the worst-case scenario become a reality because their employers withheld their contributions even though they were deducted from their pay.
Municipal workers consistently bear the brunt of maladministration and are often not paid their salary for months on end. In addition, they have to contend with arrear pension fund contributions. Withholding contributions robs workers of the compounding effect that would ultimately ensure they do not retire in poverty. It also interferes with workers’ ability to access their savings under the Two-Pot Pension regime that was primarily intended to alleviate their financial pressures.
Defaulting employers are in contravention of Section 13A of the Pension Funds Act, which stipulates how contributions to retirement funds should be paid, arrears settled and that employers should become compliant going forward.
COSATU has previously named and shamed private security employers who despite defaulting on paying pension fund contributions were awarded lucrative government tenders. This is obviously problematic as government is supposed to lead by example and not reward those who break the country’s laws.
COSATU will continue to push government to prevent defaulting companies from being awarded tenders. The Federation will also engage the FSCA and the Department of Employment and Labour to find a permanent solution to this problem.
The Federation is engaging government and the industry on this crisis at Nedlac. Progressive agreements have been secured with the Department of Employment and Labour to instruct labour inspectors to check pension contribution compliance by employers, to increase the number of labour inspectors from 2 000 to 22 000 by 2026 and to strengthen the Basic Conditions of Employment Act’s provisions requiring pension contributions to be paid. We will be ramping up campaigns with Affiliates in affected sectors to expose and charge such employers and ensure that all monies owed to workers, including interest, are paid.
Issued by COSATU
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COSATU
Kwazulu-Natal Special Provincial Executive Committee Statement
Edwin
Mkhize, COSATU Provincial Secretary, 27 September 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in KwaZulu-Natal convened a Special Provincial Executive Committee (SPEC) meeting on Thursday, 25 September 2025.
The purpose of the meeting was to finalise the programme of action for the International Day for Decent Work on 7 October, in which COSATU nationally will embark on a protected strike. The meeting also deliberated on activities marking the 40th Anniversary of COSATU and the 80th Anniversary of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU).
On
the Madlanga Commission
The SPEC expressed deep concern about the revelations emerging from the Madlanga Commission. COSATU KZN calls on all those implicated to come out clearly on these very serious allegations, particularly those relating to the political killings and other matters.
For years, COSATU has consistently called for drastic measures against political killings, crime and corruption, which overwhelmingly affect poor and working-class communities. We trust that the Commission will act with urgency, ensure that the law takes its
course, and guarantee that those found guilty face real consequences.
This is consistent with the call COSATU has made for the implementation of the Zondo Commission outcomes.
On
the National Strike and Workers’ Struggles
COSATU KZN will actively participate in the protected national strike on 7 October. The strike will highlight the severe challenges facing workers and communities, including:
- Worsening living conditions and deepening poverty,
- Rampant employer non-compliance with labour laws,
- Exploitation and retrenchments driven by mass company liquidations,
- Rising unemployment and growing inequality.
- The rampant corruption in government, private sector and SOEs.
- Intensification of the fight against neoliberal austerity measures that cripple service delivery and block the filling of vacancies in the public service
Ahead
of the strike, COSATU KZN has sought a meeting with the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal on 2 October to receive progress reports on the 2024 Memorandum, update on the investigations into the school nutrition programme and the resignation of the DG in the Office of
the Premier on allegations on youth funding mismanagement.
We will also intensify engagement with the institutions such as CCMA, whose mandate is to promote social justice and protect employment at the workplace.
COSATU is alarmed by cases such as that of a union leader whose matter has dragged on for three years after being dismissed for claims that he referred to his employer as “amaqili.”, and many other cases and delays. These undermine confidence in the CCMA.
We
demand a transparent assessment and review of CCMA work.
The Federation will also take up the plight of municipal workers and COGTA who are ill-treated, face delayed salary payments, experience poor working conditions and unfair dismissals. There must be accountability on our COSATU memorandum that was submitted
to eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality in 2024.\
On COSATU’s 40th Anniversary
The
SPEC emphasized that COSATU’s 40th Anniversary is not merely a celebration, but a moment of reflection and renewal — to return to basics, draw lessons from the past, and build stronger worker unity. The anniversary must consolidate mass power, deepen the struggle
for the workers’ rights, and improved livelihoods of all South Africans. COSATU in the province will fully participate in this critical moment of our struggle.
On the 80th Anniversary of WFTU
On 3 October, COSATU KZN will join the global working-class movement in marking the 80th Anniversary of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU). The SPEC resolved on a programme that includes demonstrations across workplaces and COSATU locals.
The mobilization programme includes:
- A Provincial Shop Stewards Council and a Memorial Lecture on 30 September at the Durban Playhouse.
- Workplace general meetings, Local Shop Stewards Councils, Red Fridays, and engagements with stakeholders such as civic movements, taxi associations, e-hailing and platform workers’ organizations, religious leaders, traditional leaders, the mass democratic movement, sister federations etc.
On 7 October, decentralized demonstrations will be held in affiliates’ workplaces and locals, alongside a major march in Durban from King Dinuzulu Park to City Hall (via Dr. Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Street), where a Memorandum will be handed to government, SOEs, and employers.
We
call on all workers to support and participate in these struggles and campaigns.
We call on communities to stand in solidarity with workers.
We call on employers to respect South Africa’s labour laws and improve conditions for workers.
COSATU
KZN remains unwavering in its commitment to defend workers, fight for social justice, and build a society free of exploitation, corruption, and inequality.
Issued
by COSATU KwaZulu Natal
International-Solidarity
South-Asian education unions push for improved health, well-being, and gender equality curricula
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 Leading the profession, 26 September 2025
Over 160 participants including representatives of teacher unions, governments, civil society, youth, UN agencies, and academics from South Asia and Southeast Asia gathered to share lessons, explore innovative programs, and interventions to discuss how education systems can support teachers to deliver gender-responsive, socially responsible, and stigma-free curricula, including Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) for children, adolescents, and young people.
From September 23rd-25th, 2025, Education International Asia-Pacific (EIAP) joined the Asia-Pacific Resource & Research Centre for Women (ARROW) - a leading organisation in advancing the sexual and reproductive health and rights and justice of women, girls and young people -, the UNESCO in Bangkok and Office for UN Coordination for Asia and the Pacific and the UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia, the UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office and the UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Asia-Pacific Regional Office, as well as the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 Youth and Student Network and the Y-PEER Asia-Pacific Center, for a Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Transforming Teachers and Teaching for Adolescent Health, Well-Being and Gender Equality.
Teachers’ crucial role in securing the health and well-being of adolescents and young people
EIAP Regional Coordinator Undarmaa Batsukh delivered the welcome remarks on behalf of Education International, underscoring: “Investing in the health and well-being of adolescents and young people are essential to the future. However, students’ well-being will be as strong as teacher’s well-being is.”
She went on to stress that teachers are the key agents in this effort and “need to be well supported, respected, and valued as professionals and as a profession.”
Panel stresses the need for CSE teachers
A forum’s highlight was the all-teachers panel on “Evolving the professionalisation pathways for the CSE teacher: a multi-generational teacher dialogue,” featuring representatives from PGRI/Indonesia, NUTP/ Malaysia, NTTU/Thailand, ACT/Philippines and STU/Singapore. The panel, co-moderated by Ms. Batsukh and ARROW Deputy Executive Director Ms. Sai Jyothirmai Racherla, explored the roles that teachers play in shaping adolescent health and well-being.
As noted by teacher Parichart (NTTU/Thailand), “teachers are the frontline in protecting students from mental health challenges — but how can we fulfil this role when our own well-being is buried by non-teaching and non-student-care duties?”
The systemic and professional challenges teachers face was reaffirmed by Ms Susilowati (PGRI/Indonesia), acknowledging that “too often, well-being initiatives remain at the individual or school level without consistent system-wide backing, sustainable funding, or integration into national education strategies. Systemic support is A MUST!!”
The importance of ensuring that teachers are protected, valued and equipped with tools, skills and knowledge to lead this transformation, and through their collective agency and movement, was also highlighted. As Prof. C. Kwe (ACT/Philippines) explained: “CSE is premised on our rights to our body, identity, and freedom, precisely because these are withheld from us all over the world. We keep talking about this as a ‘system of injustice’, but will that term suffice? This global exploitation, extraction, and dominance that seek to make inequality permanent – resulting in the erosion of rights, devaluing of women, oppression of minorities – has a specific name: imperialism. And it is the teacher's duty to expose it so that students may reclaim the future.”
The panel concluded with a reminder to continue growing, standing tall and firm for gender equality even when challenges arise and to remember where you started, never losing hope. As teacher Kusmita (ISTU/Nepal) said “every young person deserves knowledge, dignity and equality.”
Call for stronger collaboration, continuous learning and solidarity to advance CSE in the region
Through informative and participatory plenaries, world cafés and skills-building sessions participants gained more inclusive, practical and promising innovations to apply in their national and local contexts.
Mike Thiruman (STU/Singapore) also underlined that “teacher-student relationship is the foundation of teaching and learning moving forward, which requires time and space to be nurtured and strengthened.”
The forum concluded with a call for stronger collaboration, continuous learning and solidarity to support teachers and education systems in advancing CSE in the region.
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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