The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) Limpopo convened its ordinary Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) on 12 June. Affiliates, Locals and structures of the Federation, composed of 16 unions and 30 Locals convened for this important meeting in the calendar of the Federation.
The PEC noted the meeting was taking place six weeks after the celebration of May Day, in a year during which COSATU marks 40 years since its formation and commemorates the 70th anniversary of the South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU), the forerunner to COSATU.
It is also the year the World Federation of Trade Unions, to which COSATU and some of her unions are affiliated, is celebrating its 80th anniversary. This year we celebrate 31 years of freedom and democracy and also mark 30 years of the Labour Relations Act (LRA) of 1995. The LRA is very important to workers in that it laid the basis the entire current labour relations framework and heralded subsequent labour legislation, in pursuit of the provisions of our national constitution and the ideals of the Freedom Charter, for which we mark the 70th anniversary of its configuration this year. The PEC discussed and took decisions on the Organisational, Political, Socio-Economic and International Reports that were presented.
In Memoriam
The PEC took a moment to remember those who made their mark in working class struggles including Comrades Katishi Masemola – the Food and Allied Workers’ Union’s former General Secretary; Membathisi Shepherd Mdladlana – the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union’s founding President; Tito Mboweni – our first Minister for Labour; Lungi Mbananga-Gcabashe – Deputy President of the ANCWL; Ma Gertrude Shope – Heroine of our struggle for liberation; Tshenuwani Simon Farisani – an outstanding veteran of our struggle for liberation and Ngugi wa Thiong’o – A pan Africanist and world acclaimed prolific African author and activist. Their sacrifices laid the foundations for the gains workers and the working class have won in South Africa and the world over. The memory of these leaders and personalities should spur us to emulate their examples as we advance the struggles of the workers for improved working conditions and justice.
On the Organisational
The PEC adopted the reports received in relation to the recent 3rd Provincial Gender Conference and the 7th Provincial Congress, which took place on 5 to 7 March 2025. The meetings were lauded as successful, for which the PEC undertook to continue to do organizational work and implement the resolutions of the Conferences, while the Federation and its affiliates also prepare for the 8th Central Committee. The PEC also underlined the importance of training and development of members and leaders to have to have membership with a high level of class consciousness. The PEC also welcomed the successful NEHAWU 16th Provincial Congress which took place on 24 to 26 May 2025.
On the Political
The PEC received messages of support from our allies, SANCO, ANC and the SACP who pledged to continue to support the Federation and work towards the improvement of the conditions of the working class. The PEC also called for unity and discipline across the entire components of the alliance as disunity weakens the working class and the possibility of advancing the National Democratic Revolution at a much quicker pace.
The PEC also noted that the PEC was taking place when the SACP has decided to contest elections directly. While the PEC is aware of this development, it will be guided by the decision of the COSATU CEC to allow unions to consult members within the structures of the unions, which consultations will be consolidated and discussed in the COSATU Central Committee of September 2025.
On the Socio-Economic
The PEC adopted a report that sketches the socio-economic landscape that confronts the working class and pledged to continue to do the following:
§ To continue with Recruitment and Membership retention programmes
§ To mobilise members for the 40th Anniversary Celebration of COSATU
§ To continue with reparations for the 8th Central Committee
§ Popularisation of the National Health Insurance
§ Support for the full implementation of the BELA
§ To continue with all our COSATU campaigns to protect members and the community
On the International
The PEC is concerned about political imprisonment of activists in Tunisia and calls for the freeing up of political activity in that country. The PEC is concerned about the continuing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique which have had a devastating effect to the people residing in the war zones. The PEC is concerned by individuals that appear to fan these conflicts, backed by foreign interests. The PEC also decided that we should find a way of helping our working-class counterparts in our neighbouring countries of Zimbabwe and Eswatini, who have been subjected to repression. In the same vein the meeting called for an end to the unilateral unlawful sanctions that have been imposed on Zimbabwe.
Issued by COSATU Limpopo
Hangwani Mashao(Provincial Secretary)
Mobile: 0674130165