The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) welcomes our ally, the African National Congress (ANC)’s National Executive Committee’s Lekgotla’s progressive resolutions.  The Lekgotla was marked by a sense of humility towards the frustrations of working-class communities, introspection over own goals and a determination to intensify the cleansing and renewal of the ANC, and to unite the Tripartite Alliance.  We are heartened by the robust and frank discussions that took place on what needs to be done to fix the state, grow the economy, slash unemployment and provide relief for the poor.

The Federation is pleased that the Lekgotla supported its proposals for urgently ramped up public employment programmes, drastically scaled up industrial and SMME financing; increased support for Eskom, Transnet and Metro Rail; urgent interventions to stabilise and rebuild distressed municipalities, and support for the South African Revenue Service to clamp down on tax and customs evasion.

Whilst one may not fault the various progressive commitments adopted by the Lekgotla.  We expect them to now be adopted by Cabinet, outlined by the pending State of the Nation Address and budgeted for in the 2025/26 financial year and Medium-Term Expenditure Framework.  Most importantly, society needs to see them move from progressive ideals to implementation on the ground.

With a 41.9% unemployment rate, the economy stumbling along at 1% growth, struggling public and municipal services, embattled State-Owned Enterprises, entrenched levels of poverty and inequality, and endemic crime and corruption; society needs government led by the ANC to act with the decisiveness our many pressing socio-economic crises demand.  What we cannot afford is for the state to continue to meander along or for the ANC to treat these challenges with kid gloves.

Issued by COSATU

Matthew Parks(Parliamentary Coordinator)

Mobile: 082 785 0687

Email: matthew@cosatu.org.za