Taking COSATU Today Forward, 20 February 2026 #CosatuRedFridays
Norman Mampane
|
COSATU TODAY #Cosatu donates school shoes and dignity packs in Eastern Cape, Limpopo and Mpumalanga this weekend #ClassSolidarity #Cosatu40 #SACTU70 #ClassStruggle “Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism” #CosatuCallCentre 010 002 2590 #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
20 February 2026
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
Organize at every workplace and demand respect for labour rights Now!
Defend Jobs Now!
Join COSATU NOW!
Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- COSATU condemns unprovoked criminal attack on NUM members
- South Africa
- COSATU initiative prioritises pupils in flood- and GBV-ravaged communities
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Africa ECE Network: Unions sharpen strategies to develop and strengthen early childhood education
- Climate justice and wage justice go hand in hand in global supply chains
- Binding agreements deliver: Unions push wages and accountability in global supply chains
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
COSATU condemns unprovoked criminal attack on NUM members
Zanele Sabela, COSATU Spokesperson,19 February 2026
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) joins its resilient Affiliate, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in condemning the unprovoked viciously violent attack on its members at Impala Platinum’s South Shaft on Thursday morning.
NUM members were at the mine to attend the memorial service of a colleague who lost his life in a fatal incident last week. Despite the deceased having been a staunch member of NUM, Impala Platinum management is said to have inexplicably attempted to prevent fellow members from attending the memorial, granting exclusive access to AMCU members instead.
It was at this point that NUM members, led by the Rustenburg Regional leadership, were reportedly brutally attacked by AMCU members brandishing firearms, knives and knobkerries on mine premises.
Several NUM members were injured and were eventually attended to by medics.
The question arises – why were AMCU members allegedly allowed on mine premises with such dangerous weapons on their person when NUM members were made to go through access control, searched and tested for alcohol?
Why the apparent attempt to block NUM members from bidding a final farewell to their colleague when they have been part of the investigation to determine the cause of the accident from the start.
COSATU echoes its Affilaite, NUM, and also demands to know how security protocols failed to prevent the attack from happening. In addition, Impala Platinum must come clean and explain why it attempted to block NUM from saying a final goodbye to its dedicated member. Management must take accountability for the security breach and the shoddy manner they handled the memorial service.
Impala Platinum must realise it cannot union bash via proxy or allow criminality or violence and intimidation on its premises.
The company must take full responsibility for what unfolded today and make absolutely sure such incidents do not recur because the consequences are too dire to contemplate.
Issued by COSATU
South Africa #ClassSolidarity
COSATU initiative prioritises pupils in flood- and GBV-ravaged communities
Zanele Sabela, COSATU Spokesperson, 18 February 2026
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is set to do its bit part in restoring dignity to pupils in flood-and GBV-ravaged communities in three provinces.
Following its second successful annual Charity Golf Challenge in December, COSATU will head to Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape this coming Saturday, 21 February, to donate school shoes and dignity bags to learners.
Starting in 2024, COSATU has hosted a Charity Golf Challenge bringing together COSATU leaders, government officials and business partners on the golf course to help raise funds for its activities, school shoes and dignity bags for underprivileged learners.
Every swing contributed to changing a child’s school experience and enhancing their confidence and wellbeing.
In the true spirit of Ubuntu, President Cyril Ramaphosa supported the cause and joined in the merriment on both years.
The communities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga were selected for donations following the devasting floods they suffered early this year, while the Eastern Cape community was chosen due to the scourge of gender-based violence that has pervaded it. Educators, pupils and parents have been invited to handover events across the three provinces as follows:
Province: Limpopo
Venue: Masiza High School Sports Grounds, Mbaula, Giyani
Recipients from: Nyiko Primary School and Masiza High School
Date: 21 February 2026
Starting Time: 11am
Province: Eastern Cape
Venue: Jumba Senior Secondary School Hall, Mqhekezweni, Mthatha
Recipients from: Jumba Senior Secondary School
Date: 21 February 2026
Starting Time: 11am
Province: Mpumalanga
Venue: Sidlemu Primary School Hall, Nkomazi
Recipients from: Silindokuhle Special School and Mphoti Primary School
Date: 21 February 2026
Starting Time: 11am
COSATU President, Zingiswa Losi, has been spearheading this flagship initiative and will be at the Limpopo handover along with General Secretary, Solly Phetoe. The Federation’s 2nd Deputy President, Duncan Luvuno, and Deputy General Secretary, Gerald Twala are headed to the Eastern Cape. While 1st Deputy President, Mike Shingange, and National Treasurer, Freda Oosthuysen, will be in Mpumalanga.
In preparation for the handover, COSATU has received lists from schools detailing the correct shoe size and gender of each recipient to avoid any mishaps. Each child will also receive a COSATU branded school bag with hygiene products including a washcloth, toothbrush, toothpaste, roll-on, lotion and sanitary pads for girls.
The Federation is sincerely grateful to its partners and stakeholders, including the golfers, for their continued support of this vital initiative.
Issued by COSATU
Zanele Sabela (COSATU Spokesperson)
Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639
Email: zan...@cosatu.org.za
International-Solidarity
Africa ECE Network: Unions sharpen strategies to develop and strengthen early childhood education
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 Fighting the commercialisation of education Standards and working conditions Leading the profession Early childhood education, 19 February 2026
Improving the professional status of early childhood education (ECE) personnel is central to improving both access and quality. Education unions across Africa are strengthening their collective advocacy to secure quality ECE, as well as recognition and decent conditions for workers in this sector.
These priorities emerged from the latest meeting of the Education International (EI) Africa ECE Network held in Zanzibar from February 10th-11th, 2026, where over 30 union representatives exchanged experiences and identified shared strategies to advance ECE across the continent.
Social dialogue delivers results
The Deputy General Secretary for Administration of the Zanzibar’s Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, Amosi John Henock officially opened the EI Africa ECE Network meeting by commending “the partnership of trust” between the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training and Zanzibar Teachers Union (ZATU) which promotes quality education in the country.
He also acknowledged the positive contribution of ECE in preparing children for entering primary school and indicated that the government of Zanzibar’s strategic plan for education recognizes ECE.
He went on to highlight a series of actions implemented by the government of Zanzibar to promote ECE: Construction and rehabilitation of ECE infrastructure, recruitment and deployment of ECE personnel, a reform of the ECE curriculum with the introduction of the Learning Through Play methodology and the alignment with the Competency Based Curriculum. He also acknowledged the governmental collaboration with various civil society organizations and development cooperation partners to get the needed resources to create a vibrant ECE sector in Zanzibar.
In his opening remarks, EI Africa Regional Director Dr. Dennis Sinyolo reminded participants that education starts at birth. He stressed the fundamental role of early childhood education in achieving quality education, as well as the need to ensure that children in ECE centers are taught by professionally well-trained and supported personnel.
ECE as a public education priority
Participants also reaffirmed that early childhood education is foundational to quality education systems and must be fully integrated into public education frameworks. Union representatives highlighted persistent challenges, including fragmented governance, underfunding, and the marginalisation of ECE educators within national education systems.
Across countries, unions stressed the need for governments to:
- Recognise ECE educators as trained professionals.
- Ensure fair and competitive remuneration.
- Provide access to continuous professional development (CPD).
- Commit sustained public funding to ECE.
Learning through Play: Pedagogy and policy go hand in hand
Participants envisioned Learning through Play (LtP) prominently as both a pedagogical approach and a union advocacy issue. Experiences shared by unions from Kenya, Malawi, and in Zanzibar illustrated how understanding of ECE pedagogy shapes policy choices, workforce recognition, and investment.
In Kenya, LtP is embedded in the national competency-based curriculum, reinforcing recognition of ECE as a distinct and professional field of education.
In contrast, limited understanding of LtP in Malawi has contributed to misconceptions that ECE should replicate primary education, undermining support for age-appropriate pedagogy and trained educators.
Zanzibar’s experience demonstrated how unions can drive change through social dialogue. After a targeted training of ECE educators, the Zanzibar Teachers’ Union successfully engaged with government authorities, leading to the full adoption of LtP across public ECE institutions.
Professional standards strengthen union bargaining
The Danish Union of Early Childhood and Youth Educators (BUPL) shared lessons on how professional standards enhance collective bargaining power. In Denmark, the requirement for ECE personnel to hold a bachelor’s degree has enabled the union to negotiate improved salary scales and staffing ratios, including the recruitment of additional staff to reduce workloads.
Participants highlighted the relevance of linking qualification frameworks, professional recognition, and working conditions, while adapting strategies to national contexts in Africa.
Shared priorities for union action
Group discussions identified common strategic priorities for unions at national and regional levels, including:
- Pushing for the full implementation or review of national ECE policies.
- Advocating increased and sustained public funding for ECE.
- Strengthening evidence-based advocacy through data and research.
- Securing decent employment conditions for trained ECE educators.
- Promoting International Labour Organization and EI recommendations on ECE and decent work.
A collective commitment
The meeting concluded with the adoption of an ECE Africa Network Statement on how unions can use the ECE Network to coordinate and work together in promoting quality, inclusive Early Childhood Education and improved conditions of work for educators in Africa. This statement calls on governments to expand investment in ECE, recognise ECE educators as professional practitioners, and ensure access to CPD aligned with inclusive, play-based pedagogies. Network members also committed to strengthening mobilisation, recruitment, and representation of ECE personnel. They will also define concrete national advocacy commitments.
As Dr. Sinyolo noted in his concluding remarks, continued progress will depend on constructive, evidence-informed union advocacy that positions unions as key partners in building strong and equitable early childhood education systems.
__________________________
Climate justice and wage justice go hand in hand in global supply chains
17 February, 2026
Climate shocks are no longer abstract risks for global supply chains. Extreme heat, flooding and water scarcity are already disrupting garment and footwear production, damaging infrastructure and endangering workers’ health.
At the 12th OECD forum on responsible business conduct in Paris, discussions on the second day turned to the escalating impact
of climate change on workers. The message from trade unions was clear: climate resilience and workers’ rights cannot be separated.
Research presented during the session showed rising medical visits and absenteeism during periods of extreme heat. Workers often absorb the burden through income loss, increased production pressure and unsafe conditions.
Factory representatives outlined adaptation measures such as improved ventilation, hydration systems, adjusted shifts, emergency planning and infrastructure upgrades. Yet many acknowledged that suppliers cannot shoulder these investments alone. Without changes
in purchasing practices and shared financial responsibility, adaptation costs risk being pushed down the supply chain once again onto workers.
Trade union and informal worker representatives stressed that climate adaptation must include worker voice, social protection and income security, particularly for women workers and those in the informal economy who face severe financial shocks when temperatures
rise. Due diligence must go beyond policies and audits to include real-time monitoring, enforceable health and safety standards and purchasing practices that allow flexibility when conditions become dangerous.
IndustriALL general secretary, Atle Høie, reinforced that climate resilience is inseparable from trade union rights, warning that solutions will fail if workers are excluded.
“We have to be very honest: we are very short on protection today. The production of our clothes happens in countries where heat is becoming a serious health issue and where trade unions hardly have a place. If you fight the existence of trade unions, you will never find solutions to these problems because the people experiencing them every day must be at the table. Trade union rights are a fundamental human right.”
He added that workers cannot be expected to shoulder the costs of adaptation. Brands, factory owners and ultimately consumers must share responsibility and scalable models such as the International Accord system are being developed to ensure shared costs and stronger health and safety protections, including addressing heat stress as a core workplace issue.
___________________________
Binding agreements deliver: Unions push wages and accountability in global supply chains
17 February, 2026
Global supply chains face constant disruption from pandemics and wars to trade tensions and climate shocks. Yet when crises hit, workers are too often forced to absorb the costs.
At the 12th OECD Forum on responsible business conduct in Paris, marking 50 years of the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises, IndustriALL delivered a clear message: resilience must be built on binding agreements, responsible purchasing practices and collective bargaining, not voluntary pledges.
In the opening panel on supply chain shocks, IndustriALL garment and textile director Christina Hajagos-Clausen challenged the structural imbalance in global production, warning that supply chain “agility” frequently shifts commercial risk downward.
“When crises hit, brands adjust their purchasing practices overnight. Workers do not have that flexibility. Without collective bargaining and binding agreements, they are left to absorb the shock.”
OECD data presented at the forum showed that while most companies now publish sustainability information, only a small proportion meaningfully report on human rights due diligence. For unions, this reflects a persistent implementation transparency gap which without enforceability does not protect workers.
Christina Hajagos-Clausen stressed that collaboration only works when it includes enforceable commitments on purchasing practices, wages and industrial relations. Binding models such as the Bangladesh Accord and the ACT Cambodia framework demonstrate how negotiated agreements can embed worker representation into supply chain governance and create greater predictability in times of crisis.
An ACT-organized session focused on Cambodia’s brand-supported collective bargaining agreements, a practical effort to connect purchasing commitments with higher wages.
Athit Kong, president of Cambodian union CCADWU, emphasized the importance of bringing brands directly into bargaining structures:
“This is the element of bringing the brand in. I don’t see another model than these three coming together that would be more beneficial to workers. We want to make decent wages, but we also want to make this sustainable for the industry, the skills foundation is necessary.”
His intervention highlighted that wage increases must rest on strong industrial relations systems that deliver fairness for
workers and stability for the sector.
Speakers acknowledged that many corporate initiatives have failed to deliver real improvements. The emerging consensus was clear: wage growth cannot be separated from purchasing commitments. Responsible purchasing must reinforce, not undermine, collective bargaining.
Cambodia’s garment sector, employing predominantly women and supporting millions of livelihoods, has become a testing ground for this approach. While described as a “leap of faith,” binding agreements on purchasing are beginning to show measurable results, built on trust between brands, unions and employers and aligned with national industrial priorities and skills development.
IndustriALL general secretary, Atle Høie, underscored the impact:
“It is crucial to connect collective bargaining with brands’ purchasing practices to implement a living wage. In Cambodia, this is becoming a reality. We now have eight signed collective agreements lifting the wages of tens of thousands of workers. This is
a sensational agreement and it shows that binding commitments can deliver real results for workers.”
The conclusion from Paris was unmistakable: resilience without workers’ rights is an illusion. Enforceable standards, sectoral bargaining and shared responsibility are the foundation of stable and just supply chains.
For IndustriALL, the direction is clear: move from voluntary commitments to binding agreements, align purchasing with wage-setting
and ensure workers and their unions are embedded in supply chain governance.
Binding agreements deliver and when unions are at the table, supply chains become more stable, predictable and fair.
______________________________
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