Taking COSATU Today Forward Special Bulletin, 20 June 2024
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #COSATU ordinary Central Executive Committee session adjourned #ClassStruggle |
Taking COSATU Today Forward Special Bulletin
‘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
Thursday, 20 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!
Contents
o Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- Media Alert: COSATU scheduled to hold a post Central Executive Committee (CEC) media briefing on Monday, 24 June 2024
o South Africa
- COSATU demands the Democratic Alliance and Parliament expel the unrepentant Member of Parliament, Renaldo Gouws
- SADTU in KZN statement on the appointment of the new MEC for Education
o International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Tackling LGBTI rights amidst rising backlash
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
Media Alert: COSATU scheduled to hold a post Central Executive Committee (CEC) media briefing on Monday, 24 June 2024
Zanele Sabela, COSATU National Spokesperson, 20 June 2024
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) will hold a media briefing on Monday, 24 June 2024, to communicate the outcomes of its ordinary Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting. The three-day meeting, which took place from 18 to 20 June discussed organisational, political, and socio-economic issues affecting workers and the working class in general.
It also reflected on the results of the recent general elections and the formation of the government of national unity (GNU).
The details of the media briefing are as follows:
• Date : 24 June 2024
• Time : 11h00
• Venue : COSATU House, 110 Jorissen Street, Braamfontein.
All members of the media are invited to the briefing.
Issued by COSATU
For more information please contact:
Zanele Sabela (COSATU National Spokesperson)
Email: zan...@cosatu.org.za
Cell: 079 287 5788
South Africa
COSATU demands the Democratic Alliance and Parliament expel the unrepentant Member of Parliament, Renaldo Gouws
Matthew Parks, COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator, 20 June 2024
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) demands the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Parliament expel the unrepentant Member of Parliament, Renaldo Gouws, who has made a name for himself as a cesspool of racist rants on social media.
South Africa has a painful past of more than three centuries of the most brutal and violent forms of racism that cost the lives of hundreds of thousands and took decades to defeat politically at the ballot box in 1994. We will not accept seeing racism rear its ugly head in our august House of Parliament.
Nor should South Africans, in particular African, Coloured and Indian compatriots who bear the painful scars of apartheid, and still contend with experiences of racism, be expected to tolerate this.
Whilst the DA has moved to suspend this obnoxious delinquent, this is not enough. The DA has admitted this offensive brat indeed posted these racist rants on X (Twitter), including calls to violence against Black citizens.
These are not the once-off spews of hatred by a confused teenager some years ago, this malcontent has spent endless hours on social media unleashing hatred that goes far beyond what any civilised society should accept.
The DA needs to realise it has a serious problem that is not limited to one factory fault but is anchored upon a history of being be soft on racists, and all too often blowing the dog whistle that excites such behaviour. It needs to reflect on and address this if it wants to be accepted as a partner in the Government of National Unity by ordinary South Africans.
Parliament, whilst still being constituted, must make its voice heard and hold such disreputable MPs to account.
Parliament cannot accommodate such miscreants amongst its ranks. Not only is Gouws in violation of its Code of Conduct, but also the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination as well as the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Acts.
If the DA fails to act and expel this brat, Parliament must act and spare the nation the embarrassment of seeing the halls of the Legislature dishonoured.
The National Prosecuting Authority and the Human Rights Commission must scour his spewing on social media and charge him with hate speech and drag him before court.
Issued by COSATU
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SADTU in KZN statement on the appointment of the new MEC for Education
Nomarashiya Caluza, SADTU KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Secretary, 20 June 2024
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) in KwaZulu Natal welcomes and congratulates the newly appointed MEC for Education, Honourable Siphosihle Emmanuel Hlomuka.
SADTU is hopeful and has confidence that the new MEC is capable enough to deliver on the demands of his new department. Hon Hlomuka is not new in government, and this is what convinces us that he has what it takes to steer this ship forward.
The MEC must know that he is taking over a very complex department with more than 100 000 workers of which the majority are teachers. Of importance, the new MEC is now responsible for a department with millions of learners who depend on people like him as the MEC to realise the aspirations of our Constitution which declared education as a basic human right with schools having to ensure that they deliver quality education.
As a political leader, the MEC must help create stability in the department. We want a department where all workers (school and office based) feel welcomed, recognised, and appreciated and this will translate to a motivated workforce committed to advancing and supporting quality public education delivery.
As he comes in, the 2023 National Senior Certificate examinations results moved our province to position number two (2) in the country. SADTU holds a view that these results were a product of hard work by teachers with little support from the department. These results confirmed that the education system has matured in the province. However, if it is not supported, all will crumble.
The advice that SADTU wants to give to the new MEC is as follows:
• Prioritise the Quality Learning and Teaching campaign through mobilising all stakeholders and education loving people to participate in protecting schools and support SADTU’s school safety campaign, “I Am a School Fan.”
• Respect collective bargaining and commit to improving conditions of service of all workers including teachers, administration staff, Grade R practitioners, security, and general workers.
• Fill all vacancies for teaching and non-teaching and office-based personnel.
•Attend, as a matter of urgency, to non/part payment of financial allocations to schools as it puts principals in a predicament, and they end up having to run schools from their pockets.
• Improve on teacher professional development initiatives.
• Address infrastructure backlogs and continue with infrastructure improvement initiatives.
• Support classroom activity by ensuring that classrooms have teachers and resources necessary to enhance teaching and learning.
Lastly, the MEC joins a department that is rich in policy. We therefore hope he will respect and help enforce policy implementation to ensure consistency, stability and unity whilst avoiding anarchy and disunity in the department.
SADTU commits to support Hon Hlomuka. We request that he understands that ours is a C/C (cooperation and conflict) relationship. He must understand that even when there is robust engagement, it is never personal and must never be personalised. Honourable Hlomuka has our full support.
THE END
ISSUED BY: KZN SADTU Secretariat
International-Solidarity
Tackling LGBTI rights amidst rising backlash
20 June, 2024
Despite significant strides towards equality in the labour movement, LGBTI+ rights are under attack by resurging regressive political forces. A webinar hosted by the Council of Global Unions LGBTI coordinating committee on 26 June is a clear call to defend the indispensable rights of association, assembly, and expression—fundamental to both labour and LGBTI+ movements.
Professor Graeme Reid, a South African scholar and the current UN independent expert on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI), is set to deliver the keynote address. His career
has focused on gender, sexuality, and human rights, and he led the LGBT Rights Program at Human Rights Watch.
Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, the UN special rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association from Togo, will share his experiences from his tenure which began in April 2018. Voule's expertise is in supporting human rights defenders
and coordinating advocacy efforts in Africa.
The panellists represent a broad spectrum of the global trade union movement, and in addition we will also hear from representatives from community LGBTI organizations to ensure an exciting dialogue, reflecting many perspectives and experiences from around
the world, aiming to promote a deeper understanding and stronger advocacy for LGBTI rights within the labour movement.
Janina Henkes, senior policy advisor for women, equality and gender at the German Education Union (GEW), an Education International affiliate, will bring her extensive research on gender and labour to the table. Her international experiences enrich her understanding
of societal shifts towards non-heteronormative models.
Keturah Johnson, the international vice president of the Association of Flight Attendants AFA-CWA, member of the International Transports Federation (ITF), is not only a trailblazer as the first queer woman of colour in her role but also a combat veteran. Johnson's
leadership has been instrumental in advocating for inclusive labour practices in the airline industry.
Laya B. Ferrer, from the Associated Labour Unions (ALU-TUCP) in the Philippines, an affiliate to IndustriALL, focuses on enhancing labour conditions and advocating for gender equality in the workplace. Her work is crucial in safeguarding young workers from
exploitation and harassment.
Linda Bogle-Mienzer, a labour relations organizer with the Bermuda Public Services Union, represents LGBTQI+ issues within the Public Services International Caribbean Sub-region. Her deep commitment to labour rights and equality is reflected in her long tenure
in union leadership.
Marvellous Tawomhera, serving as the National Young Workers chairperson for the IUF affiliate, Zimbabwe Catering and Hotel Workers Union in Zimbabwe, is a vocal advocate for labour rights and social justice, with a particular focus on the challenges faced by
young workers in the hospitality industry.
Rafael Mesquita, president of the Ceará Journalists' Union in Brazil and organizer secretary of the IFJ affiliate, National Federation of Journalists (FENAJ) in Brazil, has led initiatives to formalise labour standards for LGBTQIA+ journalists. His efforts
extend to organiszing Brazil’s Parade for Diversity, making significant strides in regional advocacy.
Kimberly Frost, a board member of OUTreach and ILGA World Treasurer, will contribute her rich experience in developing educational initiatives and advocating for LGBT labour rights across North America and the Caribbean.
"Forward despite the backlash: LGBTI rights and Freedom of Association" not only aims to highlight the resilience required to uphold LGBTI+ rights but also to foster a dialogue that can lead to actionable strategies in the labour movement. Under the collective
ethos of "An injury to one is an injury to all," this webinar will serve as a beacon of solidarity, education, and advocacy.
Event Details
Date: 26 June 2024
Time: 14:00 - 15:00 CEST
Location: Online via Zoom
Registration: https://itf-org-uk.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tb0ZIekTRHm6ZS4HlYNnFg#/registration
“This webinar presents us with an opportunity to learn and share experiences on challenges confronted by LGBTI+ workers and communities and how we can respond to those. As trade unionists we have a duty to fight for workers in the LGBTI+ community, we have to make sure that they have a voice and ensure that we create environments that are safe and inclusive free from discrimination and harassment,”
says Christina Olivier IndustriALL assistant general secretary.
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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