COSATU in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal wishes to extend its revolutionary and fraternal congratulations to the South African Students Congress (SASCO) in KZN on its resounding victories in major institutions across the province, including the University of Zululand (UNIZULU) and Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT).

SASCO is an established, progressive and revolutionary student movement with a rich history and vast experience in defending and advancing the rights and interests of students in institutions of higher learning. Its contribution to the transformation of the higher education landscape in our country cannot be downplayed.

Importantly, SASCO did not emerge with the advent of democracy. It comes from a proud tradition of student activism and struggle that confronted the brutal apartheid system, and continues to confront the injustices and inequalities reproduced by capitalism. Generations of SASCO activists contributed to the broader struggle for liberation, democracy, accessible, equitable and transformative education system.

Many of the progressive policies achieved by the ANC-led government after 1994 were preceded, demanded and advanced through decades of organised struggles by students, workers and communities. Student movements such as SASCO played an important role in placing the question of access to education, student funding, transformation, academic freedom, institutional governance and social justice firmly on the national agenda.

As COSATU, we have observed with serious concern the emergence of organisations, particularly those driven by narrow political and opportunistic agendas, which seek to downplay, distort or erase the historic role that SASCO has played and continues to play in advancing the interests and raising the standards of students.

The contribution of SASCO to the student movement and the broader democratic struggle remains an important part of the history of our country. Its victories are therefore not merely electoral victories; they represent the continuation of a longstanding tradition of organised student activism in pursuit of a better and more just society.

We commend SASCO for embarking on a serious programme of organisational renewal, rebuilding and mobilisation. At a time when students face enormous challenges, including financial exclusion, unemployment, inadequate accommodation, the rising cost of education, limited opportunities and the broader crisis of youth unemployment, the student movement must remain firmly focused on the material conditions confronting students.

SASCO has demonstrated an understanding that renewal cannot simply be about changing leadership or structures. It must be about rebuilding organisational strength, restoring political consciousness, strengthening student mobilisation and directing the enormous energy of students towards the progressive resolution of their challenges in Universities, TVET colleges, CET colleges and other institutions of higher learning.

We particularly commend the leadership for demonstrating political maturity, unity and discipline during this period of rebuilding. These qualities are essential if SASCO is to consolidate its gains, regain lost ground and remain a formidable progressive force within the student movement.

We are encouraged that students have once again demonstrated their political consciousness by recognising that the defence and strengthening of SASCO is ultimately about defending and advancing the gains of the student movement itself. We therefore thank the students for their confidence and support, and congratulate all SASCO activists and structures who worked tirelessly to achieve these victories.

Indeed, when the youth and students of South Africa are organised, politically conscious and committed to progressive change, the future of our country is in safe hands.

COSATU believes that the future of SASCO must be bigger than electoral victories. Its historic mission must be to continue producing politically conscious, socially responsible and revolutionary young people who will contribute to the transformation of our economy, workplaces, institutions and our society. The students of today are the workers, professionals, academics, public representatives and leaders of tomorrow.

The struggle for a transformed and accessible higher education system is inseparable from the broader struggle of the National Democratic Revolution, which in essence is about economic transformation, gender and racial equality and the creation of a truly equal society.

We therefore wish SASCO further victories in the forthcoming elections across other institutions such as UKZN which on the 8th and 9th of October 2026.

We encourage all students to continue displaying their high level of political and ideological clarity in defence and deepening democratic gains by voting correctly.

We call upon its activists to remain humble in victory, disciplined and militant in defence of the interests of students.

Issued by COSATU KwaZulu Natal

For Enquiries: Edwin Mkhize

082 399 7756 / 076 522 8839

edwin@cosatu.org.za