The year 2025 has been significant for the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) as it celebrated its 40th anniversary at Dobsonville Stadium on 6 December, and the 70th anniversary of its predecessor, South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU), on 5 March at Liliesleaf, Rivonia. The Federation also commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Freedom Charter, which it adopted as a guiding document in the struggle against apartheid at its National Congress in July 1985.
COSATU and other progressive civil society organisations successfully pushed back on government’s plan to increase VAT by two percentage points when it tabled the budget on 19 February; at the second tabling on 12 March government proposed half a percentage increase, which was also rejected. The budget was eventually tabled with a zero VAT increase on 21 May, reminding government of the importance of listening to the working class and society.
The Federation also led marches to Parliament in solidarity with civil society to demand a People’s Budget that rejects austerity, tackles inequality and poverty, focuses on the needs of the poor and working class, promotes economic inclusion, and combats crime and corruption when the Minister for Finance, comrade Enoch Godongwana tabled the budget.
The Federation hosted Workers’ Day rallies across all nine provinces on 1 May, with the main event held in Mpumalanga. The day presented an opportunity to highlight the gains COSATU has secured over the four decades of its existence in taking the lead in the formation of the country’s progressive laws including the right to form a trade union and participate in collective bargaining; the right to strike; the right to safe working conditions; protection against unfair dismissal; protection against discrimination; maternity and parental leave benefits; etc. COSATU will continue to campaign until Workers’ Day, Freedom Day and election days are declared non-trading holidays to ensure all workers can enjoy these hard-won public holidays.
Disappointingly, this year saw relations between South Africa and the United States deteriorate. South Africa’s engagements with US must continue to seek ways to reduce the 30% tariff on SA exports to the US, in particular for agricultural and manufacturing products. COSATU has been steadfast, insisting on a reset of relations with the US while also urging government to diversify and expand trade partnerships across the world.
The Federation applauded the Presidency, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, and the entire government led by the African National Congress on a job well done in successfully hosting the first G20 Summit on African soil. COSATU also welcomed the support and solidarity shown by countries from both the global South and North, which made the summit a victory for multilateralism, political maturity and meaningful dialogue to seek solutions for the myriad challenges facing the world.
The Federation supports the G20 declaration on debt relief, affordable financing, Just Transition, critical minerals which were in line with the outcomes of the three Labour 20 engagements that COSATU and its fellow federations hosted and committed to take forward.
COSATU reaffirmed its stance at COP 30 in Belem, Brazil that there can be no climate justice without social justice and no Just Transition if workers’ needs are not placed at the centre. The Federation put forward demands including protection of existing jobs, creation of new decent jobs, guaranteed income support, retraining and reskilling of workers and strengthened public services, local economies and community resilience.
Whilst COSATU has welcomed recent positive developments including South Africa’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force’ grey list, the credit rating upgrade by S&P, the addition of 248 000 new jobs in the third quarter, and a rise in the projected growth rate to 1.8% in the next three years, COSATU remains concerned that government is fixated on continuing along the path of failed neoliberal austerity that has seen the economy stagnate at 1% growth rate since 2008, resulting in the alarmingly high unemployment rate of 42.4%. This, however, will not deliver the 3% economic growth needed for job creation.
The Federation vows to continue opposing government’s neoliberal trajectory and lobby for the employment of more teachers, nurses, doctors, police and provision of resources they need to do their jobs. Whilst progress at Eskom and work done at Transnet and Metro Rail is applauded, we believe much more needs to be done to arrest the collapse of municipal and public services.
Throwing forward to 2026, COSATU will continue to tackle employers who default on paying workers’ pension fund contributions by engaging Nedlac, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority and the Department of Employment and Labour on measures to resolve this critical issue urgently, including requiring labour inspectors to check compliance when conducting company inspections.
COSATU is preparing for the 2026 May Day celebrations with the national event taking place in Polokwane, Limpopo.
The Federation will be joining its Alliance Partners to also celebrate the African National Congress’ 114th anniversary on the 10th of January, near Rustenburg, in the North West.
As the year draws to a close, the Federation wishes all workers a peaceful and restful festive season filled with joy. We urge all road users to obey the rules of the road, be cautious towards other travellers and not to drink and drive to ensure they arrive alive and safe. To those who will be working throughout the holidays, we send well wishes and our appreciation, in particular members of law enforcement and security services, workers in the hospitality and retail sectors, those who will be transporting passengers and goods, nurses and doctors, farm and other workers who will keep South Africa running and who deserve our praise. A merry Christmas and a happy New Year to all.
Issued by COSATU
Zanele Sabela (COSATU Spokesperson)
079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639