Chairperson of the session
COSATU CEC, ANC NEC, SACP CC and SANCO NEC members present here today
MDM components present here today
Minister and DIRCO representatives and other state officials
Patrons of the Freedom Park
Members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of fraternal organisations
Dear Comrades
COSATU takes this opportunity to extend fraternal and revolutionary greetings to all who are gathered here today, as we also express sincere appreciations for the invitation to be part of this very historic gathering to honour the values and aspirations for which so many of our people, working class in particular made huge sacrifices to realise.
We are gathered today, exactly two days before the historic 70th anniversary of our glorious liberation lodestar, the Freedom Charter.
The Freedom Charter was the liberation programme that united South Africans in their millions against the heinous crime of apartheid and declared that, “The people shall govern” an act of defiance and open declaration of what was to become a global anti-apartheid movement that resulted in the final defeat of the crime of apartheid.
During the dark days of apartheid, the only inspiration was the Freedom Charter. Be it on Robben Island and other jails where comrades were imprisoned, be it in exile all over the world, or on the frontlines of township resistance and police brutality, our hope was kept alive by this glorious programme of our liberation movement. For COSATU, in workplaces and picket lines, we knew the People shall govern, as we knew the wealth beneath the soil shall be shared amongst all the people.
Our struggle for political democracy was inseparable from our struggle for economic democracy. This is why the triple crisis of poverty, inequality and unemployment remain our focus as we call for justice and redistribution of wealth, land and opportunities. We fight against land injustices with the same vigour we use to fight against health apartheid and language exclusions. Its different sites of one struggle.
We are gathered today to honour the revolutionary aspirations of our forebearers who defied all odds and united the country and the world against racism, sexism and all forms of exploitation and oppression. To this end, it was as much about ending apartheid in South Africa as it was about ending apartheid and imperialism in the world.
For us as COSATU, we are also proud to have celebrated the 70th anniversary of our predecessor, the South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU), in March at Lilesleaf Farm in Rivonia, working together with the ANCVL and former SACTU stalwarts. The South African revolution would never be complete without the outstanding contribution of workers, led by SACTU, FOSATU and later the birth of COSATU, the giant of the working class.
The birth of the Freedom Charter happened exactly 10 years after the 2nd World War and the birth of the current multilateral system led by the United Nations. The global multilateral system has undergone major processes in the past 80 years of its existence. When the UN and the broader multilateral institution was designed, most African countries were under colonialism and therefore, not part of the system, as they were regarded entities of one or the other colonial power. Interestingly, South Africa was a founder member of the UN, but as a racist and apartheid state.
Throughout the years, more and more African countries have become part of the UN and the broader multilateral system, which has changed the composition and demographic outlook of the institution. But despite that, it remains an elusive subject that the current global multilateral system still excludes all African countries from major decisions on global peace and security, by virtue of the undemocratic veto system.
Interestingly, in the same year that gave birth to the Freedom Charter, a major global gathering was held in Bandung, Indonesia and gave birth to what was to later become the leading force of the global south, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which is this year also celebrating 70 years of its existence.
The gathering in Bandung was a Tri-Continental movement comprised of Africa, Latin America and Asia. Its birth 70 years ago also signalled the consolidation of a global movement that led the struggle against colonialism and apartheid that ushered the moment we are in today. We remain grateful to the gallant work of the NAM and the G77 as amongst the principal coordinates of the global southern struggles against racism, apartheid and for democracy.
Today, the world is facing the most dramatic warmongering in a long time. Geo-political tensions are escalating daily and now at point of open third world war. The warning we have been making about the direction the apartheid state of Israel was leading the world, has come to fruition. The lack of punishment for the crimes of apartheid, occupation and genocide has given rise to the crudest forms of senseless wars and permanent escalation. This might be the single biggest threat to world peace.
COSATU has been consistent in calling for a profound reform of the UN and global multilateralism to reflect the real global demographics, diversity and regional spread in order to become a real global institution with the legitimacy necessary to promote and maintain real world peace, justice and inclusive development.
COSATU and the Alliance have been in the past few days and months been pondering over what exactly should be a coordinated response towards the development of an international solidarity movement based on advancing progressive internationalism. This is even more particular in the context of the rise of global fascism, racism, patriarchy, warmongering and disregard for basic rules of engagement and international law
The International Relations Committee was assigned by the COSATU CEC the task of finalising a concrete proposal in response to these developments. We can safely say that the coming Central Committee (CC) of COSATU to be held in September, shall amongst other things, deal more comprehensively, with this matter. The critical importance of such an initiative is way overdue to defend our democratic gains, right to equality and justice, as well as advance the human solidarity and global peace.
Finally, our call for a just, inclusive, democratic and developmental global multilateralism is hollow unless it can concretely answer the question what should be done to end the occupation in Palestine, support the cause for democracy against a brutal monarchy in Eswatini and promote inclusive development and peace on the African continent, amongst others.
Today, we dare say a better world is not only possible, but we shall together strive relentlessly to achieve, for without it, our own humanity is at stake and our common survival is an illusion.
This will be the litmus test for all of us who call ourselves progressive internationalists and champions of the cause of a democratic, just and better world for all.
Amandla!