Taking COSATU Today Forward, 23 October 2025 #Cosatu@40 #Cosatu40thAnniversary
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #Cosatu scheduled to convene a Just Transition Global South Exchange next week at Boksburg... #Cosatu scheduled to hold its 40th Anniversary at Dobsonville, Soweto on December 6 #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
23 October 2025
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- COSATU North-West wishes SADTU North-West comradely celebrations and a festive mood as they celebrate world Teachers’ Day on Friday, 24 October 2025
- Member Update: Developments on Actuarial Interest Factors
- COSATU to host lectures in the lead up to 40th anniversary
- South Africa
- COSATU Gauteng notes the Public Protector's report on the Crime Prevention Wardens and the swift response by the Premier
- COSATU North-West Province wishes the Matriculants of 2025 the best of luck during their examinations
- SADTU Western Cape outraged by incident of bullying at Milnerton High School
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- The PAME delegation in Palestine condemns the murder of a palestinian worker by the Israeli occupation army
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
COSATU North-West wishes SADTU North-West comradely celebrations and a festive mood as they celebrate world Teachers’ Day on Friday, 24 October 2025
Kabelo Kgoro, COSATU North-West Provincial Secretary, 22 October 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in the North-West province wishes its affiliate, the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union in the province, comradely and safe celebrations on Friday, 24 October 2025 as the union in the province will be celebrating World Teachers’ Day.
We know that the day is celebrated by the world on 05 October each year. This is to celebrate the anniversary of the adoption of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers which was amended in 1997 to include the status of teaching personnel in higher education.
The Status of Teachers sets standards regarding the rights and responsibilities of teachers and the standards for their initial training and further education, recruitment, employment, and teaching and learning conditions.
The theme for this year’s celebrations is ‘Recasting teaching as a collaborative profession.” This theme informs us that teaching is not a solitary act. Rather, it is a compact between educator and learner including a compact with communities and society.
Therefore, as you celebrate this salient day remember that you are not alone. With you are your learners, their parents, civil society, the church, people in villages, etc that are traversing this path with you, all of them playing a role in the teaching of our children.
On another note, SADTU North-West you are celebrating this day under a cloud of austerity measures that are threatening a smooth teaching and learning environment. To that end, we call on the Department of Basic Education and the Treasury to increase investment in the well-being, professional development, training and working conditions of teachers to enable them to adapt to new ways of teaching and learning.
Comrades, as you celebrate this historic day, do not lose focus of the task ahead of safeguarding the Status of Teachers as per the 1966 Recommendations. The battle against austerity measures, rising unemployment in the province, safety in workplaces and gender-based violence affecting workers is a battle where we must never remove our eyes from the ball. The country needs more teachers, teachers need more resources, more training and better working conditions.
We equally call on private business, the provincial government, parents, churches, civil society organisations advocating for transformative education, our communities from where our learners come from and all trade unions irrespective of affiliation, to support teachers so that teaching and learning can thrive in our province and ensure a brighter future for our province and country. We call for this united support because our province and our economy depend on an educated youth.
Remember teachers – you are not alone.
Issued by COSATU North West
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Member Update: Developments on Actuarial Interest Factors
Comrades,
Following our recent statement issued last week regarding the concerns around the upward adjustment of actuarial interest factors by the GEPF, we would like to provide you with a pointed update on developments since then, and the steps your union, POPCRU, has taken to address this matter:
*
RECAP OF OUR PREVIOUS STATEMENT*
As stated in our last communication:
“POPCRU has noted with concern the recent changes to the actuarial interest factors used by the GEPF to calculate resignation benefits. These adjustments, which came into effect without prior consultation or sufficient communication to members, have significant implications on the retirement and resignation benefits of public servants. We view the unilateral implementation of such adjustments as unacceptable, and we are committed to ensuring full transparency and accountability from the GEPF on this issue.”
*RECENT
DEVELOPMENTS & OUR ACTIONS*
Since issuing our statement, POPCRU has taken the following immediate steps:
1. Urgent Engagement Requested
POPCRU has formally requested an urgent meeting with the GEPF, specifically to:
o Seek clarity and justification for the upward adjustment of actuarial interest factors;
o Challenge the lack of consultation and transparency in the process;
o Advocate for protective measures for affected members, especially those who have recently resigned or are nearing retirement.
2. Meeting Confirmed Within 3 Days
The GEPF has responded and a meeting has been confirmed to take place within the next three (3) days. This engagement is critical in ensuring your voices are heard and your rights defended.
*
NEXT STEPS*
We commit to:
• Providing a full report-back on the outcomes of our meeting with the GEPF;
• Taking appropriate further action, including exploring legal or regulatory avenues, should the GEPF fail to respond adequately to our concerns.
*YOUR
UNION IN ACTION*
POPCRU remains steadfast in defending the interests of our members. We will not stand by while critical changes affecting your financial future are made without accountability.
Please remain engaged, and we urge all members to await our next communication, which will follow immediately after our meeting with the GEPF.
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:
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 Gauteng notes the Public Protector's report on the Crime Prevention Wardens and the swift response by the Premier
Louisah Modikwe, COSATU Gauteng Provincial Secretary, 23 October 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has noted the findings by the Public Protector that the establishment and deployment of Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens to conduct policing was irregular, unlawful and inconsistent with the law.
The Federation is concerned at the risk posed by these findings that the important work that was done by these wardens may go to waste and leave most communities vulnerable and exposed lawlessness and crime which the wardens worked hard to curb.
The incoherence, competition within government and confusion in the police service on this matter since its inception of this layer of crime prevention was always going to lead to these adverse findings.
COSATU in Gauteng welcomes the swift response by Premier, Mr. Panyaza Lesufi, on this matter which includes the repurposing to be part of the Gauteng Traffic Police and Special Law Enforcement Unit and other strategic partners, subjecting the crime wardens to extensive and intensive training for 18 to 36 months.
The repurposing of the functions of Crime Prevention Wardens is a sign of that the Gauteng Provincial Government led by the African National Congress is serious about crime prevention and the safety of communities across Gauteng. This sober approach by the Premier is also a sign of a responsive government and a step toward a right direction
This is a progressive victory for COSATU, workers and working class communities across the province because the integration of these wardens within the law enforcement agencies will create permanent jobs to these workers.
We implore the Department of Community Safety to implement as a matter of urgency the repurposing process as announced by the Premier. The Federation will urgently convene a meeting with Department of Community Safety to discuss amongst others the strategies to integrate these wardens as pronounced by the Premier.
Issued by COSATU Gauteng
_______________________
COSATU North-West Province wishes the Matriculants of 2025 the best of luck during their examinations
Kabelo Kgoro, COSATU North-West Provincial Secretary, 22 October 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in the North-West province takes this moment to send its support to all the matriculants of 2025 in the province and in the country who will be sitting for their National Senior Certificate examinations.
The academic year started in January 2025, and it is only you and your dedicated educators and education support personnel who clearly understand the ups and downs of this year.
However, on behalf of COSATU in the province of the North-West we have no doubt in you and members of our affiliate, SADTU, that you are all ready to enter the examination centres and demonstrate the commitment, hard work and resilience that you have put throughout the year.
We take this opportunity to urge all educators to adhere to the invigilation rules and trust your work
To our learners, the matriculants of 2025, we understand that examinations by their nature carry immense pressure. We understand also that despite the immense pressure they carry you view them as the key to unlocking further and higher education including future opportunities.
As you are in your camps preparing for and tackling these examinations consider the resources invested in those camps, both human and material. Work hard to achieve the best that the future is holding for you.
Last year, 2024, we witnessed an improved national pass rate of 87.3% up from 82.9% the previous year. We have all confidence in the 2025 cohort of matriculants that you can surpass the 2025 percentage.
We advise all matriculants throughout the province to stay calm and be focused on the examination ahead. Make yourselves proud and make the parents, siblings and everybody in the province proud by surpassing what the province achieved last year.
___________________
SADTU Western Cape outraged by incident of bullying at Milnerton High School
Sibongile Kwazi, SADTU Western Cape Provincial Secretary, 22 October 2025
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) in the Western Cape is deeply concerned and outraged by a video circulating in the media showing a group of boys violently assaulting a fellow learner.
SADTU advocates for schools to be safe havens for learners, teachers, support staff as well as all stakeholders when they visit schools. This violent action will leave the victim both emotionally and physically scarred.
We call upon the school to immediately suspend the offenders and institute a disciplinary process. We also urge the Department of Education to provide free counselling for the victim and all the learners who witnessed this deplorable action. Furthermore, the Department must also ensure that all learners at the school participate in an anti-bullying programme.
ISSUED BY: SADTU Western Cape Secretariat
International-Solidarity
16 Oct 2025 by central wftu
The delegation of PAME in Palestine condemns the new murder of a Palestinian worker by the Israeli occupation army, while he was trying to cross the wall in the area of Al Ram, north of Jerusalem.
Like thousands of other Palestinian workers every day, he was forced to risk his life just to earn a piece of bread. Under conditions of suffocating blockade imposed by the occupation state, with unemployment exceeding 70% in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian workers live and work under the terror of military checkpoints, daily attacks, and violence.
Every day, at the checkpoints of the army of the murderous state of Israel, thousands of Palestinians are subjected to humiliating inspections, waiting for hours in the heat or cold just to reach their workplace. Every day they risk their lives under the barrel of a gun, struggling to earn a day’s wage to feed their families.
This new crime reveals in the most brutal way the inhuman regime of occupation, exploitation, and oppression that the Palestinian people have endured for decades. It is the result of the ongoing policy of settlements, land theft, and blockade that deprives Palestinian workers of their right to life, work, and dignity.
The workers of Greece and their trade unions stand firmly by the side of the Palestinian workers and people, demanding an immediate end to the occupation and the settlements, and the immediate recognition of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
We express our condolences and solidarity with the workers and trade unions of Palestine and with the family of the murdered worker.
______________________________
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