Taking COSATU Today Forward, 29 October 2025 #Cosatu@40 #Cosatu40thAnniversary
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #Cosatu’s Just Transition Global South Exchange scheduled to conclude its business today…... #JustTransition #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
29 October 2025
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- Call for DBE to rework the Grade 12 examination timetable
- COSATU to host lectures in the lead up to 40th anniversary
- South Africa
- COSATU Gauteng statement on the Motion of No Confidence against Premier Lesufi
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- International Day for Care and Support: Care is a human right
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
Call for DBE to rework the Grade 12 examination timetable
Nomarashiya Caluza, SADTU KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Secretary, 28 OCTOBER 2025
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) in KwaZulu Natal (KZN) notes with concern the clashes in the Grade 12 examination timetable. This clash if not attended will disadvantage learners as well as teachers who have to ensure the smooth running of examinations.
Also, SADTU believes everyone knows how important it is for the timetable to provide enough time in between papers for learners to prepare themselves.
The current timetable shows that on the 4th of November 2025, 3 papers are set to be written, these are: Isizulu Home Language/ Isizulu First Additional Language Paper 1/ Accounting Paper 2 and Maritime Economics.
Our members, who are teachers and school principals, have informed us that some schools have learners who are writing all three subjects.
When SADTU received this information, it raised the matter with the provincial department of education whose response was that they had written to DBE asking for intervention.
It is worth mentioning that DBE responded in a manner that signals lack of understanding of the impact that these clashes may have on our learners. In attending to the issue, the DBE instructed the province to reschedule times for these papers as follows:
|
SUBJECT |
PAPER |
ORIGINAL TIME PAPER |
RESCHEDULED TIME |
||||
|
Isizulu HL/Isizulu FAL |
1 |
9h00-11h00 |
8h00-10h00 |
||||
|
Accounting |
2 |
14h00-16h00 |
11h00-13h00 |
||||
|
Maritime Economics |
1 |
14h00-17h00 |
14h00-17h00 |
In addition to this tight timetable, the DBE orders teachers to ensure that they quarantine learners from conclusion of an examination until commencement of the next examination on the same day.
It is clear from these DBE orders that the Department has forgotten that some learners/ candidates qualify for concessions, which is 15 minutes per hour (a total of 30 minutes per 2hrs paper).
SADTU rejects this deliberate inconvenience to our Grade 12 learners which borders on compromising learner performance and their future. SADTU in KZN is currently engaged with COSAS to collectively reject this.
SADTU calls on the DBE to reconsider its decision and review the calendar. SADTU’s view is that one of the afternoon papers (Accounting and Maritime Economics) must be moved to another date towards the end of examinations.
These recommendations are made to ensure that DBE avoids irregularities that may occur as a result of these orders.
Issued by KZN SADTU Provincial Secretariat
_____________________
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 statement on the Motion of No Confidence against Premier Lesufi
Louisah Modikwe, COSATU Gauteng Provincial Secretary, 28 October 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is deeply concerned by the Democratic Alliance's motion of no confidence against Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi. The motion is in response to the Public Protector's finding that the establishment and deployment of the Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens (CPW) was irregular and unlawful.
It is important to note that the Public Protector did not find the Premier guilty of financial mismanagement or corruption. Instead, the finding centres on the Department of Community Safety acting inconsistently with Sections 41(1)(h) and (g) of the Constitution. This provision prevents one sphere of government from usurping the powers or encroaching on the integrity of another.
The Public Protector has already prescribed remedial action, and we expect the Premier to use his constitutional powers under section 125(2) to ensure that "option 3" of the TC report is implemented within 180 days.
This option, which Premier, the Minister of Police, and the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development have already agreed to, involves repurposing the CPWs as traffic wardens in compliance with the National Road Traffic Act.
Premier Lesufi stands as a beacon of decisive leadership. Since taking office, Lesufi has consistently pursued policies that tackle the province's most pressing issues. From combating unemployment to rooting out corruption and spearheading innovative infrastructure projects, his tenure has been marked by bold initiatives that align with the commitments made by government to Gauteng's residents. Critics may point out hurdles along the way, but the evidence of progress is undeniable, showcasing a leader who prioritises delivery over rhetoric.
The introduction of the CPWs brought much-needed safety and security relief to communities in Gauteng and created 8200 jobs for young people. The CPW (AmaPanyaza) programme, though recently reconfigured for legal compliance, contributed to a 7.9% crime reduction by supporting police with community-level interventions.
Lesufi's boldness extends to major infrastructure projects, such as the Gauteng-Limpopo high-speed rail link. Advanced in strategic meetings with Limpopo counterparts, this project aims to ease congestion, create over 125,000 jobs, and boost economic ties. Lesufi's leadership is defined by action, delivering on promises that uplift Gauteng.
While political parties reserve the right to table a motion of no confidence against any executive member, including Mr Lesufi, this tool must be used judiciously, not frivolously or for mere political point-scoring. Such motions should be grounded in substantive issues, like incompetence, corruption, or mismanagement of resources, not personalised for political gain.
COSATU Gauteng therefore calls on all legislature parties, trade unions, faith-based organisations, and civil society to rally behind the Gauteng Premier's efforts to stabilise the government and deliver essential services, including community safety. We urge the rejection of this motion.
The frivolous motions of confidence at the local government level since 2016 have weakened municipalities and left them on the precipice; a province like Gauteng that produces nearly 40% of the GDP will take the country down with it if lessons are not learnt from local government.
Simultaneously, we urge the Premier and the Department of Community Safety to promptly implement the Public Protector's remedial actions.
To help chart a way forward, COSATU Gauteng will convene a major summit of unions, civil society, and religious groups to discuss the state of the province and present consolidated recommendations to the Premier and his government.
Issued by COSATU Gauteng
International-Solidarity
International Day for Care and Support: Care is a human right
27 October 2025
The ITUC is marking the International Day for Care and Support, 29 October, with a renewed call for governments to turn historic international commitments into real, concrete action that recognises care as a human right and a pillar of decent work.
This year’s commemoration follows two major global milestones for the care agenda.
§ In June, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights issued a groundbreaking Advisory Opinion affirming that care constitutes an autonomous human right. This marks a major step forward in international law and sets a powerful precedent for governments to act. The opinion underlines the obligations of States to guarantee the right to care, especially in relation to equality, non-discrimination, and the protection of vulnerable groups. The global trade union movement, which actively contributed to this process, welcomes this milestone as a long-awaited validation of what trade unions and workers, both care workers and those with caring responsibilities, have long demanded: care is not a privilege; it is a public good and a shared responsibility.
§ Building on this progress, the ILO’s Resolution on Decent Work and the Care Economy, adopted at the International Labour Conference in June 2024, provides the clearest policy roadmap to date for governments, employers, and trade unions. In November 2024, a plan of action for the period 2024-2030 was adopted by the ILO Governing Body that gives effect to the resolution. The resolution recognises that decent work, gender equality, and quality care are deeply interconnected — central to human, social, economic and environmental well-being and sustainable development. It also recognizes that care policies and systems for decent work and gender equality should contribute to a rights-based approach to care.
These two historic developments show the world that the right to care is now undeniable. What must follow is urgent action through adequate public investments in care and support services, and the design and implementation of integrated and coherent care policies and systems, grounded in international labour standards and social dialogue.
Despite its recognition of its invaluable contribution to our economies and societies, care work — both paid and unpaid — remains undervalued, underfunded, and disproportionately carried out by women. Millions of care workers, including domestic, migrant, and community health workers, continue to face poverty wages, poor working conditions, and lack of social protection. Meanwhile, the lack of public care infrastructure leaves millions without the services they need and forces many, particularly women, out of the labour market.
The ITUC calls on governments to:
§ Recognise care as a human right and a public good, everywhere, and take urgent action to guarantee universal access to quality care and support services in line with the ILO Resolution on Decent Work and the Care Economy.
This means:
§ Adequate investment in public care and support services as engines of job creation and gender equality.
§ The adoption of care leave and protection policies.
§ Ensuring decent work and fair wages for all care workers.
On 29 October, the ITUC will release its new report, “Trade Unions Advancing the Care Agenda”, featuring case studies from Australia, Chile, and the Philippines. The report highlights how trade unions are leading change — bargaining for better wages and conditions in care sectors, advocating for public investment, and integrating care into national social and economic agendas.
The report will be officially launched at an ITUC webinar on 29 October, where trade union representatives from the three countries will share their experiences and lessons learned. The discussion will explore key wins and ongoing challenges in advancing the care agenda at the national level, drawing from the ILO’s 2024 Resolution on Decent Work and the Care Economy.
Trade unions are showing that care is both a labour rights issue and a foundation for gender equality and inclusive growth. Investing in care is investing in people, communities, and the future of work.
The International Day for Care and Support, established by the UN and championed by the trade union movement, is a global reminder that care work, both paid and unpaid, makes all other work possible. The ITUC calls on governments to seize this moment to legislate, regulate, fund, and institutionalise care as a public good and a human right, ensuring dignity, equality, and decent work for all, including those who provide and receive care.
§ The ITUC’s webpage for the International Day for Care and Support, 29 October, here.
§ For more information on the work of trade unions in advancing the care agenda, see the latest Equal Times articles here.
§ Social media materials for #Care2025 are available here.
______________________________
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