YCLSA MOSES MABHIDA PROVINCE POST SPECIAL PROVINCIAL COMMITTEE MEETING
YCLSA
YCLSA MOSES MABHIDA PROVINCE POST SPECIAL PROVINCIAL COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, 26 May 2020
The Young Communist League of South Africa [YCLSA] in Moses Mabhida [KZN] Province convened a Special Provincial Committee [SPC] Meeting on Sunday, 24 May 2020. The Meeting was convened in order to reflect and contextualize the impact of COVID-19 on the people of KwaZulu Natal [KZN] in particular the youth and to re-affirm that the struggle against Covid-19 must be waged simultaneously with the struggle against capitalism.
The Special Provincial Committee Meeting paid special tribute to the late Comrade Zandile Mbokazi who was serving as the YCLSA Mzala Nxumalo District Working Committee [DWC] member. She was a dedicated; disciplined; selfless; dynamic and visionary young communist leader; trade unionist and a community leader. She was also serving as a COSATU Dumbe Local Secretary as well as NEHAWU Dumbe Community Healthcare Centre [CHC] Branch Chairperson. As the YCLSA in the Province we send our heartfelt condolences to her family; colleagues and friends and we further lower our red revolutionary flag to honor her contribution to the mobilization of youth people for socialism. A Fighting Soldier for Socialism is no more!
The Special Provincial Committee took place a day before the 98th Anniversary of the Young Communist League of South Africa [YCLSA]. The Special Provincial Committee re-affirmed the YCLSA as the only leading force amongst young people in the struggle for the achievement of socialism which represents a transitional society towards the realization of complete political liberation and a universal emancipation of both human society and nature under the ultimate goal of a classless communist society.
The meeting reflected on the massive role we have played as the YCLSA in deepening Youth mobilization for Socialism. The YCLSA Moses Mabhida Provincial Committee vowed to continue with its organizational work in implementing all 5th National Congress resolutions; priority being building Popular Youth Fronts for Socialism.
The Deployment of Cuban Medical Brigade in the Province
The Provincial Committee Meeting welcomed the deployment of the Cuban medical brigade to assist in the efforts against COVID-19 in the province. The arrival of the 28 Cuban doctors demonstrates the decades old strategic solidarity partnership between our two countries. We applaud the Cuban doctors for their selflessness and dedication.
Socio-Economic Context of COVID-19
The meeting received a report on issues affecting frontline workers such as healthcare workers; workers in the retail sector; municipal workers and other essential workers as classified by the Disaster Management Act. At the centre of discussions was an observation that there seems to be a rapid exponential growth of a number of workers that are testing positive for COVID-19.
The crisis of Covid-19 has further shown how capitalism does not benefit the working class; it has shown how it will affect workers’ lives at the expense of profit maximisation. The report indicated that most greedy employers aren’t complying with the Occupation Health and Safety [OHS] Act of 1993 as well as the directives and regulations issued by the Department of Employment and Labour.
As the YCLSA we call upon the Department of Employment and Labour to ensure that all companies comply with all safety procedures, and we shall support all progressive trade unions in fighting against non-compliance.
The meeting noted a report from the Department of Employment and Labour that the Unemployment Insurance Fund [UIF] has processed more than 200 000 claims from employers, covering more than 2.5 million employees. As the YCLSA we are extremely concerned that some employers are not paying workers' contributions to the fund, and we deduce that, this is why the turnout is very low.
Moreover, workers in the private sector are being subjected to short-time shifts which is highly exploitative as it leads to wage and salary cuts. In other instances, workers in the private sector are being retrenched and the mostly affected are young workers since the workforce is becoming younger. The meeting noted how this will contribute vastly to the growth of unemployment post COVID-19 in the province.
The Provincial Committee acknowledged measures put in place by government to ease the socioeconomic challenges faced by the people. However; we are extremely worried that so far only 10 people have been paid the R350 special COVID-19 grant. The provision of social relief grants for the mostly affected should continue beyond the lockdown including an increased child support grant.
YCLSA and the Re-opening of Schools
The Provincial Committee meeting re-affirmed a decision of the YCLSA Political Commission in relation to the re-opening of schools. The meeting supported a call made by the South African Democratic Teachers Union [SADTU] that, the Department of Education [DoE] must comply with all nonnegotiable(s) to ensure that all safety measures are adhered to before the schools can be re-opened.
The Provincial Committee calls upon the Department of Education [DoE] to work with all stakeholders in ensuring that all safety protocols are followed. The Provincial Committee calls on all its members who are teachers; education workers; those serving in the School Governing Bodies [SGBs] and learners to ensure that there is maximum health and hygiene compliance in the schools.
As part of the strategic recovery plan; the YCLSA in the Province will conduct on-line tutorials after hours and during the weekends for Grade 11s and 12s targeting problematic subjects.
As the YCLSA, we are deeply concerned about the amount that will be paid to people providing support in terms of disinfection and deep cleaning of schools. As the Young Communist in the Province, we find it difficult to support any form of payment to workers that is below the new National Minimum Wage [NMW].
On Post School Education and Training
The meeting noted the proposal made by the Department of Higher Education and Training [DHET] on the re-opening of the Post Schooling Education and Training[PSET] Sector which includes Universities; TVET Colleges and Community College. As young reds in the province; we strongly believe that, no student shall be left behind during this process.
We also urge DHET to ensure that all campuses comply with all safety measures which includes but not limited to the following:
• Disinfection of all buildings 5 days prior to workers and students returning to campus
• Provision of masks, gloves and sanitizers
• Mobile clinics for screening and testing
• Establishment of Occupational Health and Safety committees in each workplace in line with the law.
The meeting resolved to convene a virtual Provincial Higher Education Meeting as part of our Joe Slovo Right to Learn Campaign [JSRTLC] and an urgent bilateral meeting with our reliable ally, the South African Congress of Students [SASCO] in the province to make a concrete assessment on the proposals made by the Department of Higher Education and Training.
Organizational Matters during COVID-19
The Provincial Committee vowed to continue with On-line Political Education and Ideological Training Programs under the guidance of the National Committee and also pay more attention in building Youth Popular Front against COVID-19. Lastly; the Special Provincial Committee appointed Comrade Lebohang Ntuli as the new Provincial Spokesperson effectively and with immediate effect.
Issued by YCLSA Moses Mabhida Provincial Committee
For more information contact:
Cde Sandile Dayi [Provincial Secretary] at
072 667 0757
Or
Lebohang Ntuli [Provincial Spokesperson] at 0729178056