09 January 2024 

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) congratulates our dedicated ally, the African National Congress (ANC) on its 112th milestone. Irrespective of the many challenges the ANC has faced, its place in history as the leader of the struggle to free South Africa and build a non-racial and non-sexist society is assured. 

The ANC with its Alliance Partners, COSATU and the South African Communist Party, persevered against great odds and in the darkest of times. It’s noteworthy that in our current political landscape, no other political party can make this claim.  

Since coming to office after the 1994 democratic breakthrough, the ANC has made major strides in breaking down the legacies of Apartheid and colonial rule. Today access to public and municipal services is no longer a preserve of the elite or a minority but now available for all communities, many of whom had been systematically denied such rights previously. 

It is no small feat, that 60% of state expenditure today is spent uplifting working-class communities. 

Whilst some will say these are the victories of yesterday, the ANC led administration under the stewardship of President Cyril Ramaphosa, passed the National Minimum Wage uplifting the wages of six million workers.  

Government worked tirelessly with Labour, Community and Business to manage the COVID-19 pandemic and oversee a massive roll out of relief to the poor, including the SRD grant benefiting 8 million unemployed and the UIF relief helping 6 million workers, plus a very successful vaccination campaign.

Progress has been made in processing key legislation through Parliament, including the NHI, Two Pot Pension Reforms, Compensation of Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act amongst others.

The challenges facing workers and society are immense. They range from dangerously high unemployment to loadshedding and the crises affecting Transnet, Prasa, other SOEs and municipalities to endemic crime and corruption.

It is natural to feel despondent but there has been progress. Unemployment fell by 5% over the past year. Real progress has been made in reducing loadshedding.

Whilst we applaud this progress, much more needs to be done to grow the economy, slash unemployment, reduce poverty, tackle crime and corruption and rebuild the state. We don’t have limitless time. Society correctly expects more.

Issued by COSATU

For further information please contact:
Matthew Parks
Acting National Spokesperson & Parliamentary Coordinator
Cell: 082 785 0687