The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) Limpopo 7th Provincial Congress saw 544 delegates from 16 affiliated unions gather at Bolivia Lodge, Polokwane, from 6 to 7 March, under the theme, “Building working class unity for economic liberation towards socialism,” to renew the organisational mandate as required by the COSATU Constitution.

They were joined by our allies, the South African Communist Party, the African National Congress, South African National Civics Organisation, social partners, civil society organisations and our vibrant Progressive Youth Alliance.

Congress noted the commemoration of 70th Anniversary of SACTU, COSATU’s forerunner, remembering its legacy. Generations of SACTU were marked by a call to unite the working class and heed the call of our founding President, Elijah Barayi, of one industry, one union, one country, one federation.

Our Alliance partners gave messages of support to our congress, key and progressive inputs were made. The SACP as the Vanguard of the working class reminded Congress of the pressing challenges that continue to afflict our nation which includes crisis of unemployment, poverty, and inequality thus demanding our urgent attention and collective action. Congress was further reminded by the African National Congress that it is crucial to acknowledge the global political dynamics that are increasingly shaping our reality and impacting on the stability of many nations across the world, including South Africa.

The Congress was honoured to receive the number one Shopsteward of COSATU, President Zingiswa Losi, who critically outlined our responsibility as the Federation in servicing our members, fighting for their rights in the workplace and in broader society. We were reminded that COSATU was formed in the fires of militant resistance against apartheid exploitation and capitalist oppression. Our movement has always been about more than just workplace struggles; however, it has been about national liberation, democracy, women’s emancipation, and socialism, and further ensuring a better life for all people.

We also received messages from the Embassy of Palestine. They expressed deepest gratitude to President H.E Cyril Ramaphosa and the South African government for continuing to lead the case against Israel’s genocide at the International Court of Justice and ICC. The action is not just a legal battle, but it is a testament to the doctrine and principles of the South African people, the bravery of our government, led by President Ramaphosa, and the unwavering commitment of the Alliance. The Federation continues to stand firm in solidarity with the struggles for a free Palestine.

This 7th Provincial Congress, standing firm on the foundations that were laid by our forerunners and proud members of the Federation of Vuyisile Mini, Lesley Masina, Elijah Barayi, John Gomomo, Ruth First, Violet Seboni, Allinah Rantsolase, Bheki Mkhize, Pretty Shuping, Ray Alexander, Elizabeth Nanna Abrahams, Elizabeth Mafikeng, Chris Dlamini and many others. This aide-mémoire is a call for action for the emancipation of the working class and to not normalise living within the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment.

On Political

On ANC

The 7th Provincial Congress is reminded to encourage COSATU members to ensure that they swell the ranks of the ANC as it is still strategic for us as workers to do so. However, the ANC must provide a clear program of renewal. Masses on the ground are irritated, and they need to be reassured. Congress further said that COSATU’s focus is on workers and the relationship between the ANC should not go to the point of exploitation of workers, to the detriment of COSATU members and the entire working class.

SACP

Congress notes that the SACP has taken a decision to contest state power. Their duty is to bring it closer to the hearts of the workers. Congress also noted that while the Party has taken a decision, COSATU needs to thoroughly debate this matter within its own structures. The discussions further urged the party to build its structures in communities to build hegemony and establish its Vanguard role among the masses, based on programs and visibility of the structures and members of the SACP on the ground.

On GNU

COSATU reiterates it position that it does not support the GNU in its current form. Congress observed that the State of the Nation Address (SONA) addressed issues raised by the parties in the GNU and did not necessarily address the issues raised by the nation. Congress expressed concern about the direction that the GNU is taking, which also shows signs of discord within itself, and this does not bode well for proper governance.

On the National Democratic Revolution

The revolutionary Alliance, comprised of the ANC, SACP, COSATU and SANCO has both a shared history and a shared programme of the NDR. It was born in the struggle against apartheid oppression and segregation. The Alliance is centred around short, medium to long term goals of the NDR – the establishment of a democratic and non-racial South Africa, economic transformation and continued process of political and economic democratisation.

Congress further noted that the NDR is a protracted revolutionary struggle passing through different phases and taking different forms as determined by objective and subjective material conditions, also noting the ever-changing political landscape both domestically and internationally.

Domestically we have witnessed the decline of the electoral support of the ANC post the May 2029 election resulting in the formation of a grand coalition called the GNU. Furthermore, Congress noted that the Alliance remains the only vehicle capable of bringing about fundamental change to achieve the objectives of the NDR in South Africa. There is an urgent need for the reconfiguration of the Alliance to ensure its effectiveness and effective defence against the pushback of the enemy forces of the revolution. The Congress resolved the following:

·       The working class must take full responsibility for the NDR unlike other class forces who only stand to benefit from vacillating between the classes. 

On Organisational

 The Congress agrees that COSATU is a home for all workers and should be an organisation that is at the forefront of workers struggles. Ours is to seriously look at our commitment to organisational renewal, particularly focusing on the challenges that we are faced as the organisation and in our affiliates. Our character is based on principle, membership servicing and advancing workers interests. We further note that members are the lifeblood of the Federation and therefore affiliates must intensify their recruitment campaigns. Therefore, Congress resolved that to fulfil our principles, we must build COSATU’s strength by:

• Rebuilding our unions and mobilising unorganised workers.
• Having political education for shop stewards and members to sharpen class consciousness.
• Strengthening COSATU Locals and Provincial Education Committees.
• Strengthening our listening campaigns and closing gaps between leadership and the masses.
• Ensure the rigorous prioritisations of campaigns and programmes needed inclusivity of all structures of the Federation.
• Revitalise recruitment campaigns.

On Socio Economic

 Congress notes the self-imposed austerity measures administered by National Treasury affecting all departments. The austerity measures have the effect of decapitating the public service’s efficiency by not filling of vacant posts, by offering public service that doesn’t meet the required standards.

We further note that COSATU over the years of hard- fought campaigns in the Alliance, NEDLAC, Parliament, in bargaining councils and master plans, to win important victories for the working class. Some of those victories include the Two-Pot pension reforms, NHI Act, Expropriation Act, the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act.

We further note the majority of our health facilities are in a dilapidated state in terms of infrastructure and that the Department of Health is not utilising its infrastructure budget optimally. The Congress noted the renewed increase in HIV/AIDS statistics and reaffirmed its commitment in the fight against HIV and AIDS, increasing knowledge, changing attitudes and behaviours and promoting HIV prevention; and Congress is resolved:

• The Government must make strides to put budget aside in order to implement NHI fully, continue and intensify health programmes.
• That all infrastructure projects must be done by the relevant department i.e.  Department of Public works.
• It is critical to not only score these victories in law but further ensure that they are well resourced by government.
• That we must ensure full compliance of these laws on the ground.
• Ensure that we empower workers to understand their rights so they can exercise them. 

On international

The Congress notes that continuing struggles of the people of Palestine and the silent genocide taking place both in Eastern Congo as well as in the South of Cameroon and resolved:

• That the Federation stands in solidarity with the struggle for a free Palestine.
• To reaffirm our previous resolutions on principled international solidarity support for struggles of the people of Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Western Sahara, Cuba, Venezuela, Mozambique, Cyprus, the Basque Country and for the struggle of the Kurdish people.
• We call upon both SADC and AU to speedily intervene in all the conflicts that are taking place on the African continent.

Conclusion

The COSATU Limpopo Provincial Congress has shown that unity is the only weapon against divisions and to defeat our enemies.  We agreed that when we are united, we will be victorious.  We further agreed that the divisions of leaders and of affiliates will weaken the Federation and the Alliance. It therefore behoves us to make progressive choices as the mandate from workers is clear, it’s either we organise or we starve.

Issued by COSATU LIMPOPO

Hangwani Mashao (Provincial Secretary)

Mobile: 067 413 0165

Email: Hangwani@cosatu.org.za