The Congress of South African Trade Unions Gauteng (COSATU) convened the first Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) meeting of the 15th Provincial Congress to assess the work done since the congress. The PEC was addressed by the General Secretary, Solly Phetoe, and received a message of support from the ANC Provincial Task Team (PTT) Coordinator, Hope Papo.
On the political front, the PEC welcomed the working relations between Alliance partners and noted the good work done by the ANC PTT to renew the ANC towards the regional conferences and the 2026 local government elections. Whilst noting the developments in the ANC, the PEC has called for the unity of the ANC going to its regional conferences and the unity of the alliance in defence of the National Democratic Revolution.
COSATU Gauteng is deeply pained that the United Nations’ resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza was vetoed by the United States. South Africa remains firm in its support of the Palestinian people. We condemn the genocidal onslaught against the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian people. It is time that the world and the United Nations intervene to end this genocide and hold the apartheid Israeli regime accountable. The PEC resolved to continue to campaign against genocide in Palestine and mass actions will be organised in the near future.
The PEC noted the appetite by the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) through the State of the Province Address by Premier Panyaza Lesufi and the revised budget presented by MEC Lebogang Maile to accelerate service delivery in working-class areas. The PEC welcomed the government program of action anchored around the Gauteng 13 challenges known as the G13 plus.
1. The PEC concluded that G13 plus 1 touches all challenges faced by the working class and if implemented, will go a long way to resolve service delivery challenges and job creation.
The PEC welcomed the re-introduction of Nasi Ispani program targeting the youth of Gauteng. Whilst the PEC welcomed all these initiatives, it resolved that it would hold government, Premier Lesufi and MECs accountable for non-implementation of the program of action. The PEC further resolved that a meeting with the Premier and his Executive must be convened to receive plans on the implementation of the program of action as per the State of the Province Address buttressed by the budget presented by MEC Maile.
Organisationally the PEC resolved on a massive recruitment of members, defence of collective bargaining and education and training of shop stewards. The PEC noted the launch of locals and clusters and resolved to support locals to implement their program of action. The PEC concluded that massive campaigns in defence of the Labour Relations Act will be rolled out across the province. The PEC discussed the imperative of the unity of COSATU in the province and resolved that affiliates should work together in defence of workers across all sectors and in particular workers in vulnerable sectors.
The PEC noted with concern the continued gender-based violence across the province and acknowledge the work done by its Gender Structure during the period under review. In view of the scourge of gender-based violence, the PEC resolved to mobilise society to fight against the scourge. To this end the PEC will continue to picket outside courts in support of the victims of gender-based violence.
Issued by COSATU Gauteng
Provincial Chairperson (Amos Monyela): 079 493 5002
Provincial Secretary (Louisah Modikwe): 066 182 2402 / 082 297 2659