COSATU Today, Thursday 14 August 2008

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) calls on all working class people, companies sympathetic to the working class and all progressive forces to boycott West End Clay Bricks and its products.

The company has on numerous occasions refused to bargain with its employees, threatened them, colluded with police and still refuses to budge on wages.

West End Clay Bricks (PTY) Ltd, as it is officially known, is a brick manufacturing company based in Zuurbekom, Westonaria. The NUM appeals to all law abiding citizens to boycott this company which involves itself in unfair labour practices, victimizes workers and flaunts the general labour relations laws of the country.

We call on the general public to distance themselves from this company and to refuse doing any scrape labour for it says Mluleki Senene, the NUM Regional Secretary in the PWV region.

The NUM believes in the might of South Africans and knows that the people of South Africa are progressive people who would stop West End Clay Bricks on its tracks.

Lesiba Seshoka, NUM National Spokesperson, 082 803 6719, Les...@num.org.za

1.2 Negligent Farm Owner Causes Worker to Lose Life

Aaron Thobejane, Dominique Swartz, 13 August 2008

FAWU is shocked that another farm worker, who was a union member, has lost her life last Thursday morning at 07h20 on her way to work. Rahab Mokete, a farm worker from the Frans Coetzee farm in Groblersdal in Mpumalanga province, fell out of a truck and died instantly. Workers say the the owner failed to secure the door of the truck.

FAWU demands that the owner, who drove the truck that morning, should be charged with culpable homicide as he contravened the Occupational Health and Safety Act by carrying workers on an open truck.

To worsen matters, the owner lied about the incident, informing police that the deceased passed away in her sleep. When FAWU organizer Aaron Thobejane and a worker who witnessed the incident, went to the police in search for the statement, they got the shock of their lives when they found out that the owner had lied to the authorities about the death of comrade Rahab.

To lie about the details of a worker's death is despicable and an insult to family and friends as well as a criminal offence. Employers should treat their workers with the same respect which they demand from their labourers. Employer organisations should ensure that their members are familiar with Health and Safety Regulations. It appears, that they don't care to adhere to these very important laws which exist to prevent incidents like these if one judges the countless accidents involving farm workers over recent years. Too many lives on farms are lost as a result of careless actions by employers and it is time for this to stop.

The case was reported to the police and to the Department of Labour and the union anxiously awaits the outcome of the investigation.

Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to all workers who had to witness the horrible death of a fellow worker. It is being reported that the comrade will be buried this weekend.

Please call area organizer Aaron Thobejane on 082 494 7668 for more details.

Released by FAWU media officer, Dominique Swartz, on 082 498 5631, dominiq...@telkomsa.net, 021 637 9040

1.3 Closing of Loftus Stadium to Chiefs and Swallows

Elvis Sekgobela, 13 August 2008

The South African Football Players Union [SAFPU] note the cowardly decision by the Loftus Stadium management to close the stadium[Loftus] which was scheduled to host the MTN 8 Semi-final this coming weekend between the two Soweto giants Moroka Swallows and Kaizer Chiefs respectively.

SAFPU believe that this decision seek to undermine the progress we are making as we prepare ourselves of hosting a successful World Cup in 2010.

The stadium management is undermining football because is dominated by black players and is the most supported sport in the country.

We call upon the Tshwane Municipality and the MEC of Sport in the Province Ms Barbara Creecy to intervene on behalf of the PSL and the soccer loving people.

Issued by SAFPU

For more information contact Elvis Sekgobela, SAFPU Media and Liaison Officer, 082 077 1283

South Africa

2.1 Celebrating Women’s Month

Phindile Sithole, 13 August 2008

Women workers will be attending a Women's Month Celebration, organized by NEHAWU at the Johannesburg Hospital where the NEHAWU President Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya will be a guest speaker.

The theme for the celebration is "Taking Forward the Struggles of Women”. The activity shall be attended amongst others dignitaries such as the President of the ANC Women’s Leaque, Angie Motshekga, Tshwane Mayor, Gwen Ramokgopa, MP and SACP Gender Convenor, Nozizwe Madlala Routledge and COSATU 2nd Deputy President, Violet Seboni.

The meeting will be held at the Johannesburg Hospital scheduled as follows:

· Date: 14 August 2008

· Time: 10h00

· Venue: Johannesburg Hospital Hall, Auditorium

Issued by Phindile Sithole, NEHAWU Communications Department, Phin...@nehawu.org.za, 011 836-2902

2.2 Kabelo Thibedi ID Campaign Trail!

Mike Mokhutshane, 14 August 2008

The Young Communist League [uFasimba] in the province of North West will be embarking on the Kabelo ID Campaign Trail today Thursday 14 August 2008, Ramotshana informal settlement, Ramotshana Sports ground, Rustenburg, North – West province.

The Kabelo Thibedi ID Trail Campaign will be led by the provincial leadership of the YCL and Cde Kabelo Thibedi. The purpose of this campaign will be to assist all those community members particularly the youth who are struggling to get their ID's and birth certificates from the Department of Home Affairs [DoHA].

The YCL calls on the community of Ramotshana informal settlement to come in large numbers to be assisted by the officials from the Department of Home Affairs and Kabelo Thibedi.

The details are as follows:

· Date: Thursday 14 August 2008

· Time: 8h30 For 9h00am

· Venue: Ramotshana Sport grounds, Ramotshana Informal Settlement, Rustenburg, North West province

The members of the media are hereby invited to attend.

Issued by YCL NW

For more information contact Cde Mike Mokhutshane, YCL North West Provincial Secretary, 079 491 5620

International

3.1 President Tsvangirai to the People of Zimbabwe

Morgan Tsvangirai, 13 August 2008

My Fellow Zimbabweans, the Movement for Democratic Change has always been a people's project. We seek nothing but the best interests of the people of our country.

Tragically, Zimbabwe has become one of the worst man-made humanitarian disasters of a new and hopeful century. At least two million Zimbabweans have already fled our homeland. An estimated half million Zimbabweans have already died of starvation, malnutrition and preventable disease.

Because of the failed policies of ZANU PF, five million Zimbabweans now face starvation and famine. We cannot allow this to happen. All of us must provide decisive leadership.

My Fellow Zimbabweans, on March 29 you voted for change. You have been clear. We will not betray you. In this respect, the MDC entered these negotiations full of hope. We put aside our grievances and reached out to ZANU PF for the good of the people.

However, any dialogue to save our country must take place in an atmosphere of mutual respect and tolerance underpinned by our shared patriotism and desire to stop the suffering, and build a prosperous future for our children.

Let me be clear, MDC entered these negotiations seeking a transformative and healing solution to the deep-seated political and economic crisis facing our country. Our objective is simple – a peaceful resolution to the crisis that respects the will of the people.

The MDC remains committed to participating in any meaningful and genuine dialogue that urgently moves this process forward.

We knew negotiations would be difficult, but a resolution that represents anything other than the will of the Zimbabwean people would be a disaster for our country. We are committed to a solution that recognizes that the people spoke on the 29th of March 2008 - a solution that ensures tangible deliverables are put on the table of Zimbabweans. A solution must thus put the people first, not leadership positions and titles.

Our members of parliament and councilors, indeed Zimbabweans of all political persuasions, are part of the transformative process. We need a government that transfers power to the elected representatives of the people to carry out the people's mandate for change.

In the immediate days ahead, we have a historic opportunity to choose between hope or hatred, cooperation or conflict, prosperity or poverty, the will of the people or selfish interests. In short, we

seek a new Zimbabwe that will provide food, jobs, dignity and healing to all our people.

To accomplish this, we need to look forward together. Only by working together can we transform our society. Only by working together can we rebuild our nation.

Although there are many dimensions to our crisis, there is one immediate and urgent step that is required:

Our people continue to face a profound humanitarian crisis. We know you are suffering. Without further delay, we are demanding that NGOs be allowed to resume humanitarian assistance – distributing food, medicines and life-saving assistance. This destructive policy of banning humanitarian assistance can be reversed with one letter.

The Zimbabwean problem is an African problem that requires an African solution. This weekend's SADC Heads of State Summit in Johannesburg is yet another opportunity for our African brothers and sisters to offer us a hand at this decisive moment. In his role as facilitator and as incoming SADC Chairman, President Thabo Mbeki must insist on ensuring that the Zimbabwean issue is put to rest. Most importantly, President Mbeki must ensure that humanitarian assistance is resumed immediately. In addition, civic society that has been barred must be allowed to operate.

We hope that as facilitator, President Mbeki will ensure that the issues that continue to divide us at the negotiation table are resolved as soon as possible. Creativity, leadership and vision is essential in this delicate stage.

In closing, let me reiterate three points – first, we have always been committed to dialogue as the only way to resolve the current political impasse; second, we remain committed to reaching an agreement that upholds the will of the people; and third, we remain urgently concerned about the humanitarian crisis and ask for President Mbeki and SADC's immediate assistance in securing the resumption of aid to our starving, sick and dying people.

I thank you.

May God Bless Zimbabwe.

For more information please call MDC on (South Africa) Nqobizitha Mlilo 0835274650 or George Sibotshiwe 0766330314 or (Zimbabwe) Nelson Chamisa 0912940489

3.2 MDC activist dies

Nqobizitha Mlilo, George Sibotshiwe, Nelson Chamisa, 8 August 2008

Runyararo Mugauri, an MDC activist who was severely attacked by Zanu PF supporters early this month in Chiweshe, died on Saturday at a hospital in Harare.

According to medical reports, Mugauri, who was the MDC youth secretary for Mazowe district was attacked with blunt objects at his homestead, resulting in him receiving serious injuries.

Party officials assisted to have Mugauri ferried to Harare for treatment but due to the nature of the injuries doctors failed to perform skin grafting leading him to succumb to his death on Saturday night.

"We tried our best to help him but due to the seriousness of his injuries, Mugauri could not live for long. He was in urgent need of skin grafting on his buttocks but this could not be performed as he was in a very bad state," said the doctor who was attending to Mugauri.

The death of Mugauri brings to 125 the number of MDC supporters who have been murdered at the hands of Zanu PF supporters.

Last week Zanu PF supporters killed two more MDC supporters including Fungisayi Ziome also from Chiweshe and although police reports were filed and some of the perpetrators identified, no arrests have been made.

Mugauri, is expected to be buried in Chiweshe on Friday.

MDC Information and Publicity. For more information please call (South Africa) Nqobizitha Mlilo 0835274650 or George Sibotshiwe 0766330314 or (Zimbabwe) Nelson Chamisa 0912940489

3.3 Official Statement by the Government of Cuba

Raul Castro Ruz, 10 August 2008

Cuba defends peace as an indispensable requisite for the development of all peoples in the world.

For over half a century our people have been the victim of aggressions by the United States government that have forced it to invest countless resources and energy in its defense. Our people has firmly held its ground and tenaciously defended its sovereignty while supporting the UN efforts and struggle for peace.

Part of our territory has been forcibly occupied for over 100 years, however, to recover it Cuba has never resorted to violence, and it never will. Its foreign policy is known and recognized by the international community.

A disturbing crisis has erupted originated in the news of the combats unleashed in the Caucasus, at the Russian south border.

Following the disintegration of the USSR, South Ossetia was forcibly annexed to Georgia, a country with which it shared neither nationality nor culture, but it preserved its status as an autonomous republic with its local authorities and its capital Tskhinvali. At dawn on August 8, Georgia, in complicity with the US administration launched its forces on South Ossetia in an attempt to occupy the capital. This they announced the same day the Olympic Games were officially opened in Beijing.

It is false that Georgia is defending its national sovereignty.

As it is known by the international community, the Russian troops were legally in South Ossetia with the intent to ensure peace. They acted within the law.

The request for a previous withdrawal of the invaders is just and our government supports it.

As a matter of principles, Cuba, threatened as it is by the United States forces, cannot accept a ceasefire without the invaders’ withdrawal. If it were attacked by foreign forces, it would never accept such a ceasefire.

Raul Castro Ruz, President of the State Council and the Council of Ministers, Havana, August 10, 2008

3.4 Fidel Castro's 82nd Birthday

Castro Ngobese, 13 August 2008

The Young Communist League [uFasimba] joins the people of Cuba, the Communist parties across the globe and the oppressed people of the world in wishing the retired President of Cuba and Chief Commander of the Cuban Armed Forces, Cde Fidel Castro Ruz well on his 82nd birthday.

Cde Castro is the paragon of the struggle for a just and humane world order – socialism. He led one of the most inspirational revolutionaries in the 20th century in the midst of aggression by US imperialism.

The Cuban revolution has been successful and achieved a lot for the Cuban people in general and the youth in particular. This is the revolution that has attained free access to health, eliminated illiteracy, free education for its youth and ensured that no Cuban goes to bed on an empty stomach.

Cuba has continued to offer support without any expectations of material rewards by providing educational opportunities to the youth of South Africa and has offered most of its health professionals to assist in our health system inn rural and working class hospitals.

The Cuban revolution is a political reference and an inspiration that there is an alternative to the inhumane and barbaric Capitalist system and that, that alternative is socialism.

Honour Cde Fidel Castro for the sacrifices made by Cubans towards our Freedom!

We call on government to genuinely honour Cde Castro by conferring him the highest honour The Companions of OR Tambo on behalf of the people of South Africa for the sacrifices the Cubans made in dislodging oppressive regimes in most parts of the developing countries, including our own liberation.

The YCL remains confident that the Cuban youth will defend the Cuban revolution and produce more leaders of Cde Castro's calibre.

As the YCL we wish to take this opportunity to wish Cde Castro a happy birthday and good health and recovery.

Issued by YCL

For more information contact Castro Ngobese, YCL National Spokesperson, 082 567 3557, castro....@gmail.com

Publication

4.1 The Shopsteward

Vincent Masoga, 14 August 2008

The latest edition of COSATU’s magazine, The Shopsteward, is out.

Download the PDF version at http://www.cosatu.org.za/shop/shop1703/jul08.pdf

For hard copies, please contact Vincent Masoga, Shopsteward Manager, vin...@cosatu.org.za, 011 339 4911

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