Taking COSATU Today Forward, 19 June 2024
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #COSATU ordinary CEC is in session at Braamfontein |
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
Wednesday, 19 June 2024
‘Building a strong and united COSATU in mobilizing for the ANC electoral victory”
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
Organize or Starve!
COSATU ordinary Central Executive Committee is in session
Contents
o Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- Employment and Labour concludes a four-day career exhibition that successfully drew the participation of over 800 young individuals and job seekers – North West
o South Africa
- SADTU Statement on National Youth Day 2024
o International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Global development cooperation partners share successes and unite to advance public education
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
Employment and Labour concludes a four-day career exhibition that successfully drew the participation of over 800 young individuals and job seekers – North West
14 June 2024
Organised by the Public Employment Services (PES) unit across the Vryburg, Taung, and Christiana Labour Centres, and in collaboration with various stakeholders, the event took place from June 10 to 14, 2024. It was aimed at engaging youth and job seekers from Tlakgameng, Schweizer-Reneke, Lokgabeng, and Huhudi.
These Career Exhibitions are a part of the Department of Employment and Labour's initiative to combat unemployment. They provide a dynamic environment for attendees to network, discover a range of career paths, and learn about educational programs, including learnerships, internships, apprenticeships, and bursaries. Additionally, the exhibitions highlighted avenues for entrepreneurship, offering a pathway to self-employment.
Slindile Nkiwane, the Director of PES in the North West, emphasised that the unit's objective is to promote job creation. In alignment with Youth Month celebrations, the exhibitions were designed to support job seekers and the youth in their pursuit of improving their living standards.
“Our unit is committed to establishing partnerships that lead to job creation and other opportunities, contributing to the reduction of unemployment and poverty. Our focus extends beyond mere job searching; we encourage educational advancement and the exploration of entrepreneurial ventures for self-reliance," stated Nkiwane.
The event was enriched by the presence of various educational institutions, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, financial aid organizations, Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), and government departments. These entities provided valuable information and insights, empowering the youth to explore diverse opportunities and broaden their career prospects.
For enquiries:
Botsang Huma
Provincial Communication Officer
Department of Employment & Labour: North West
082 497 7438 / botsan...@labour.gov.za
-ENDS-
Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour
South Africa
SADTU Statement on National Youth Day 2024
Mugwena Maluleke, SADTU General Secretary, 16 June 2024
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) joins the country in commemorating the June 16, 1976, now declared National Youth Day.
As a Union operating in the education sector, we have every reason to celebrate this day and the youth of ’76 because their struggle was for what we stand for, quality public education.
The youth of ’76, young as they were, had full grasp of the critical role of education in changing lives for the better. Their sheer hunger for quality education prompted them to face the armed, ruthless, brutal, and racist apartheid machinery and rejected Afrikaans as a medium of instruction. Their defiance spread across the country into an uprising that cost the lives of many while others ended up in jail. The uprising fueled the struggle for the liberation of the oppressed majority.
As we observe this year’s Youth Day on the 30th year of South Africa’s constitutional democracy, we cannot deny the role of the Class of 76 in leading the country towards this dispensation we so enjoy today. We acknowledge the programmes and policies that have been put in place to ensure a better life for the country’s youth such as the no-fee-paying primary and secondary schools and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme which provides free tertiary education, learnerships and internships opportunities.
However, with all these above, the youth are confronted with high levels of unemployment, poverty, and violence. Even though some have taken advantage of education opportunities and studied, their certificates have not opened the doors of work. They have fewer or no resources to create job opportunities for themselves.
Sadly, when the country held the National and Provincial elections on May 29, we saw a declining number of youth voting - a crucial exercise that will shape the future of this country. Further, the political parties who participated in these elections had fewer young people in their lists to parliament. This is an indictment on the country’s faith in our youth.
As a union in the education sector, we commit to strive to ensure that our country provides the kind of education that will provide skills to the youth to not only navigate the challenges of the 21st century but that will also bring pride and confidence in them as South Africans with a rich history of overcoming obstacles and emerging stronger.
To address unemployment, we must grow the economy and ensure that the economy is in the hands of all South Africans and not the few. This minority that owns 90% of our country’s economy are a threat to our political stability. The land is still in the hands of the minority, and this cannot be tolerated because the youth fought for freedom including economic freedom.
We call on the youth of 2024 to use the day as a reminder of the power and potential of the youth and fight for what they believe is rightfully theirs and use to the fullest, every opportunity that has the potential to shape the future of this country such as exercising their right to vote.
ISSUED BY: SADTU Secretariat
International-Solidarity
Global development cooperation partners share successes and unite to advance public education
achieving sustainable development goal 4 fighting the commercialisation of education standards and working conditions leading the profession union renewal and development together we build union power go public! fund education, 18 June 2024
From Albania to Cameroon, members of Education International, are building campaigns to increase funding for public education, and investment in teachers, supported by a network of solidarity from education unions around the world.
In a recent virtual meeting, development cooperation (DC) partners from Education International, gathered to discuss the ongoing capacity-building projects within the framework of the campaign, “Go Public! Fund Education”. The “DC café” highlighted the significant steps forwards being made to promote and defend public education globally.
Strengthening solidarity
Haldis Holst, EI's Deputy General Secretary and Director of the Capacity Building and Solidarity unit, outlined the background and objectives of the Solidarity Fund.
Holst also emphasized the importance of the 59 recommendations from the United Nations High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession, which serve as vital tools for advocacy and mobilization.
Holst further explained that the Solidarity Fund aims to assist member organizations in emergencies and foster cooperation programs with individual teacher organizations. These grants, launched in September 2023, were designed to support capacity-building initiatives that ensure sustained and impactful work by member organizations. Holst stressed the advisory role of the EI regional offices in allocating the grants.
Haldis added by that member organisations define what their challenges are and what they want to do and achieve in their various contexts, and what is the best moment to push for the realisation of their goals.
Supporting progress in Africa
EI's Africa Regional Director, Dennis Sinyolo, highlighted the Solidarity Fund's impact on capacity-building projects across Africa, specifically within the “Go Public! Fund Education” campaign. He detailed the fund's role in responding to emergencies, developing cooperation programs, and enhancing the advocacy capabilities of member organizations for quality public education. He mentioned the programs in countries like Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, and Cameroon.
Sinyolo went on elaborating on various activities undertaken by member organizations, including budget tracking, policy analysis, social dialogue, collective bargaining, research, position papers, and high-level events with government officials and parliamentarians.
Successful national campaigns in Albania and Cameroon
Speaking on behalf of EI member organizations in Albania, the Trade Union Federation of Education and Science of Albania (FSASH) and the Independent Trade Union of Education of Albania (SPASH-ITUEA), FSASH International Relation Officer Engjellushe Ibrahimi presented their joint project on the “Go Public! Fund Education” campaign in Albania. This project’s objective is to increase the public budget for education, improve the salaries and working conditions of teachers, and involve the community and the media in their advocacy.
She also shared some of the activities they have done or planned to do, such as workshops, forums, webinars, and social media training.
She also said that they have a team of 20 union representatives from different regions, and that they have participated in the May Day protest with the campaign messages.
Ibrahimi added that the union members were happy and supportive of the project, and that they have had some media coverage and exchange. She also reported that the unions want to have an alliance with parents and students and explain to them that investing in public education is not only for teachers, but also for students.
Roger Kaffo, Deputy General Secretary of the Fédération des syndicats de l'Enseignement et de la Recherche (FESER), one of EI's affiliates in Cameroon, presented the campaign activities in his country. He highlighted the collaborative efforts of three EI member organizations – FESER, the Fédération camerounaise des syndicats de l’Éducation (FECASE) and the Syndicat des travailleurs des établissements scolaires privés du Cameroun (SYNTESPRIC) – focused on addressing the underfunding of public education and enhancing the teaching profession. He emphasized the union use of UN High-Level Panel recommendations to advocate for better investment in teachers and education.
The campaign in Cameroon targets various stakeholders, including parents, students, civil society, state authorities, and political actors, leveraging media engagement to amplify their messages, Kaffo said, announcing plans to engage with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNESCO, and organize a political event in November 2024, ahead of the 2025 electoral year. He finally stressed the campaign's critical and timely nature for Cameroon, committing to its continuation beyond EI funding.
Vision for the future
EI's Director for Campaign and Communication, Rebeca Logan, discussed the future vision for the “Go Public! Fund Education” campaign. She emphasized the importance of consolidating data and analysis from various countries and regions to strategically build and expand resources. The campaign aims to strengthen union power and unity at all levels, fostering solidarity, professional development, and organizing for change, she said.
Logan also outlined the next steps post-Congress, focusing on making the campaign sustainable and enhancing advocacy and mobilization efforts for the coming years.
The virtual DC cafe clearly demonstrated that, through solidarity, sustained collaborative efforts of educators and education advocates, the EI “Go Public! Fund Education” campaign continues to gain momentum.
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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