The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) notes with bewilderment the klein trek by 49 compatriots to the United States of America (US). Whilst any nation would be sad to see some of their own depart for other countries, we recognise that this is their inherent right under South Africa’s internationally respected Constitution.
The history of humanity is one of migration. Through South Africa’s blood runs the DNA of Africans and including the Khoi and the San, slaves brought from Indonesia and Malaysia as well as along the African coast from Angola to Madagascar, refugees fleeing Jewish pogroms in Lithuania as well as Huguenots escaping religious persecution in the Netherlands and France, to indentured labour from the Indian sub-continent and China, amongst so many others.
The 49 South Africans mollycoddled upon a chartered jet, follow other South Africans who over generations left in search of greener pastures from the US to Europe, Africa and Australasia and more recently the Persian Gulf. They cannot be defined as refugees by any stretch of sobriety or common sense. A fact affirmed by no less an authority than the United Nations.
South Africa, for a variety of well-known historical reasons, is faced with many painful challenges, including our high levels of crime, unemployment, poverty and inequality. These affect all South Africans, in particular the Black majority. Genocide and persecution, let alone institutional discrimination or land grabs aimed at White South Africans, are not among our ailments.
Our democracy is alive and well and a little noisy. Our constitutional oversight institutions are robust and routinely hold government in check as do voters every election. Our media is fearless and our judiciary free of political interference or threats.
Ours is a constitutional democracy won with the blood of generations and guided by the call of the Freedom Charter of a South Africa that belongs to all who live in it, Black and White. The struggle for this democracy saw not only the likes of Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo, but also Oom Beyers Naude and Braam Fischer, Joe Slovo and Ruth First, Ahmed Timol and Dulcie September amongst countless others. It was a non-racial struggle whose ethos continues to guide our efforts of building our non-racial, non-sexist democracy. It is not one to melt under a flurry of fake news on Twitter.
We wish our 49 compatriots well in their new adventure in the US and hope they find peace in their hearts. They should appreciate that the US, like South Africa and every other nation, has its challenges and is not perfect. We trust they will represent South Africa well and embrace the diversity that is the American fabric. If they are looking for a 21st century volkstaat, they may need to reconsider their plans. And of course, we hope they return home in December to see their friends and family and enjoy time at the beach and in the bush.
2025 has been an unusual year, in particular for long standing relations between the US and South Africa. We commend government led by the African National Congress, and in particular, our President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, for representing the nation with integrity and humility at all times. The President’s dignity has provided comfort to society and lays the foundation for a mutually beneficial reset in the important relationship between the US and South Africa; one that lifts bilateral trade, investment, travel and tourism to new heights; and most importantly creates decent jobs for workers in South Africa, Africa and America.
COSATU is confident this will be done and will continue to work closely with government and our peers in Organised Business to achieve this over the next few months and years and in support of Presidential Envoy, Mr. Mcebisi Jonas.
Issued by COSATU
Matthew Parks (COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator)
Cell: 082 785 0687
Email: matthew@cosatu.org.za