The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) notes with deep disappointment the latest statement by the United States (US) on South Africa. We welcome our Presidency’s dignified response affirming South Africa’s sovereignty, hard-won constitutional democracy and respect for multilateralism. The South African government can rest assured of the full support of COSATU and millions of workers across the nation.
We are dismayed that the allegations of white genocide and land grabs continue to be levelled despite them having been comprehensively proven as fake news by leading academics, media institutions and most importantly ordinary citizens of all races across South Africa. We are comforted by how these myths have been vociferously disputed by farmers, businesses and leading Afrikaners. AfriForum and other fringe race baiting groups do not reflect the values or beliefs of ordinary South Africans, including our Afrikaner compatriots.
South Africa’s successful, progressive and inclusive G20 Presidency has made South Africans proud. The overwhelming support for South Africa’s 2025 Presidency from G20 member states has reaffirmed our belief in the value of multilateralism and diplomacy.
The United States is the world’s largest economy and South Africa’s third largest trading partner. It is a major source of tourism and investment which collectively support over half a million South African jobs. US funding for South African HIV/AIDs programmes since 2003 has helped save millions of lives. A healthy, growing and mutually beneficial relationship between both nations is important to South African workers, as is a similarly positive partnership with the European Union, China, India, Japan and other leading economies. Whilst we value South Africa’s relations with the US, they must be based upon mutual respect.
The South African government will continue to receive the steadfast support of COSATU and where we believe it needs to adjust or address matters, we will be equally blunt in raising such issues. We expect the Presidency to remain the lead point in addressing tensions in our bilateral relations with the US. We do not take kindly to politicians rushing to share their feelings with and twerking for the media on such sensitive matters that require the highest degrees of maturity. The actions of politicians carry real consequences for workers. There are 20 000 health workers who lost their jobs with the ending of US health funding and thousands of health, agricultural and manufacturing workers whose livelihoods remain at risk.
We are equally disappointed that despite commitments by government to establish a package of support to assist affected workers and businesses, these have yet to reach them. COSATU expects government to move with speed and provide tax relief, industrial incentives, loan holidays and fix the mess at the Unemployment Insurance Fund’s Temporary Employee Relief Scheme. Workers and businesses whose livelihoods are at serious risk due to the 30% US tariff duty on South African exports, need actual solidarity and relief, not PowerPoint presentations and speeches.
Government must invest in the capacity of the Departments of International Relations and Cooperation and Trade, Industry and Competition. The capacity of our diplomatic presence around the world and in particular in the US and other leading economies leaves much to be desired. All embassies must have a capable ambassador, and other skilled personnel resourced to promote trade, investment and tourism.
COSATU will continue to work closely with and in support of the principled, sober and calm efforts by President Cyril Ramaphosa and government led by the African National Congress to stabilise, reset and rebuild this strategic relationship. We remain confident that this reset can be done and all storms do come to an end. South African workers understand the fears of American workers who have lost jobs due to globalisation and deindustrialisation. We have been similarly heartened by the support we have received during these times from the American labour movement.
Issued by COSATU
Matthew Parks (COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator)
Mobile: 082 785 0687
Email: matthew@cosatu.org.za