The top leadership of the Tripartite Alliance – ANC President, Cyril Ramaphosa; SACP Secretary, Solly Mapaila and the newly elected COSATU Secretary, Solly Phetoe will address the first day of the National General Council meeting of the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) which starts on Tuesday, 04 October 2022 at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park.

The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi will address the gathering on the topic of security of the country and its impact on education and health on Tuesday afternoon.

The Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga has confirmed she will deliver her department’s message of support also on Tuesday.

Sister education workers’ unions from the SADC region will address the meeting. The Swaziland National Teachers Association (SNAT) representative will address on the persecution of unions and their leaders in eSwatini, and Zambia National Union of Teachers (ZNUT) shall speak on the challenges facing unions in Zambia.

Fraternal organisations – COSAS, SASCO, NASGB and the SADTU Student Chapter will also deliver their messages of support.

The Union’s National Office Bearers, provincial Chairpersons and Secretaries, Regional Chairpersons and one additional regional delegate per five thousand paid up members or part thereof, make up the National General Council. More than 250 delegates including guests are expected to attend the NGC.

The NGC meets at least once in five years to ratify decisions of the National Executive Committee and adopt policy issues of major importance in between National Congresses. The NGC shall, among others, assess progress on resolutions taken at the 9th National Congress held in 2019.

The Union shall, during the NGC celebrate World Teachers’ Day on 05 October and its 32nd anniversary on the third and last day – 06 October. The NGC declaration will also be read on the last day.

This NGC will be sitting for the first time since the government’s failure to honour the last leg of Resolution 1 of 2018 which resulted in public service employees not receiving salary increases in 2020 as per the Resolution. This reneging by government has strained the relations between government and labour.

The media are hereby invited to attend and cover the NGC. They are required to register on this link https://cvent.me/l5lLgB?RefId=MEDIA+REGISTRATION. The closing date for registration Monday noon, 03 October 2022.

ISSUED BY: SADTU Secretariat

FOR ENQUIRIES, CONTACT: Media Officer, Nomusa Cembi: 082 719 5157