23 May 2024

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in the Free State has been monitoring the election campaign of our Alliance partner, the African National Congress(ANC) in the province. We have also been strong participants in most of the campaigns, formally as the Federation and informally as members of the ANC in our own rights as workers.

The current elections arrived amidst a myriad of difficulties, most of which are located within the local government sphere, ranging from the conduct of the deployees of the ANC in positions of power to the non-payment or late payments of salaries of workers in various municipalities. To a greater extent, some of the challenges are structural and a long-term solution is required for the sustainability of affected municipalities. We shall implore on the new administration to exert more effort into finding a lasting solution.

The Federation acknowledges that the ANC is not a perfect organization. It has its flaws like any other organization. However, it has also accomplished great gains. The positive achievements are amplified when all the noise unleashed by the anti-revolutionaries and political mercenaries have quietened down. The gains which workers have made under the leadership of the ANC speak for themselves.

Equally, we acknowledge the challenges which our country and our continent faces, from individuals who are yearning for the failure of all African states, who continue to access our raw materials at the lowest possible prices for the benefit of their people at our expense. This situation has led to our economy facing inexplicable difficulties as a result.

As workers, we understand the purpose of our struggle which is meant to achieve a society where people will not be treated based on the material possessions but rather based on their contribution to the society. Our struggle aspires to achieve equality, justice, and decent jobs through full employment.

We have made an assessment on the history and/or the composition of the parties that are contesting the elections and have realized that the ANC remains the only organization that can assist the Federation to drive its mandate. Most of these organizations are sponsored to pursue anti-workers agenda, such as the Moonshot Pact.

We acknowledge the massive campaign that the ANC has undertaken in the province. Given the current onslaught by the media, both social and formal, it has been important that the real story about the performance of the ANC be explained. The current campaigns have gone a long way in achieving such and many of our community members and workers understand the real picture. The ANC has done a lot for our country, though there have been weaknesses. This is the story that has been deliberately concealed from our communities whilst the opposite has been consistently flighted in media. Much has been done and more still needs to be done because the needs of society remain dynamic based on the developments in their personal spaces.

COSATU Free State congratulates the ANC in the province for running an effective campaign. COSATU structures appreciate the efforts that have been employed towards the campaign and wish the ANC well in the forthcoming general elections.

We also acknowledge the role played by the SACP Free State as well as the energy displayed by the newly elected SANCO structures across the province.

We call upon all workers, families, friends, neighbours, and our acquaintances to go in large numbers and support the ANC on the 29th of May 2024 including those who have applied for special votes on 27th and 28th May 2024! Together we can do more!

The struggle continues!

Issued by COSATU Free State

Monyatso Mahlatsi, COSATU Free State Provincial Secretary

Enquiries on 051 447 5499 or 076 115 9923