As the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU), the union of revolutionary professionals and workers of the mind, we categorically reject the baseless claims made by the anonymous letter published in the Daily News newspaper owned by Independent Media regarding our union in KwaZulu Natal. The anonymous letter was reacting to an article by Willem Phungula titled, Teacher unions at each other’s throats over member poaching thatwhich was published earlier last week.
SADTU’s history speaks volumes, and we have nothing to prove to those who attempt to discredit our relentless efforts.
The anonymous writer’s statement reeks of an agenda to recruit for NEHAWU, a diversionary tactic aimed at sowing division among workers. SADTU remains unshaken and committed to uniting educators under one sector and one union, as division weakens the collective strength of educators and education workers in the fight for justice and equality.
SADTU is committed to the founding principles of COSATU and respect the Federation’s resolutions on mergers and super unions where SADTU is given the responsibility to organise in the education sector and unite all workers in education.
The agenda of such divisive articles by anonymous persons serves our employers and class opponents more that the oppressed and exploited workers. We are certain that no worker or union representative will thrive and celebrate speaking bad about another union in public. This will be the worst from of regression and counter revolutionary tendencies.
SADTU has never been mum on the crisis in funding in KwaZulu Natal Schools. It has, over years, become a norm that at this time of the year, the union engages in pickets and demonstrations demanding that the funding crisis be addressed. Just last week, our union led sit-ins and pickets to demand solutions for the funding crisis affecting schools and the quality of public education. As a result, a task team comprising SADTU, the Director-General, and representatives from the national and provincial Departments of Education and Finance is being established to find lasting solutions to these issues.
The assertion of this anonymous writer that SADTU is toothless and dead, is unbelievable as the union boasts of a membership close to 63 000 making it the biggest education workers union in the province.
It is misleading to claim that SADTU is contributing to the ballooning teachers’ salaries due to its leadership serving as principals while absent from schools. SADTU members in leadership positions such as secretaries and full-time shop stewards are seconded to serve in the union in line with the provisions of the Employment of Educators Act.
During this secondment, the union reimburses the Department of Education for the acting personnel covering these roles ensuring no additional burden on the public purse. This arrangement is lawful and demonstrates SADTU’s commitment to accountability and adherence to labour laws.
The province of KwaZulu-Natal has consistently achieved outstanding matric results, thanks to the dedication and commitment of our members. Our Academic Forum, comprise of highly qualified and exceptional leaders from the province, works tirelessly to support and empower educators. Their unwavering efforts and expertise drive academic excellence and strengthen the foundation of quality public education in the province.
SADTU will continue to lead from the front, as it always has, ensuring the interests of educators and learners are protected and advanced. We have not only achieved milestones in advancing the rights of teachers but also in protecting the integrity of quality public education.
We advise our members to note these failed attempts which are driven by faceless individuals. We are fully aware of attempts to weaken the union, and such will fail because we are worker driven.
Workers must unite, there is a noble cause to pursue.
ISSUED BY: SADTU Secretariat
CONTACT:
General Secretary, Mugwena Maluleke: 082 783 2968
Deputy General Secretary, Nkosana Dolopi: 082 709 5651
Media Officer, Nomusa Cembi: 082 719 5157