The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) supports the march organised jointly with the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC) and GWOAS Organising Committee, endorsed by many progressive organisations in the country and globally.

The march is taking place in Pretoria on the 4 September, starting at 9am at Mandela Park, next to the Union buildings.

The Global Week of Action for democracy in Swaziland was an initiative of the SDC launched in 2010 by COSATU at the Johannesburg Civic theatre.

It was a global campaign by the international trade union movement in support of the call for workers’ rights and democracy in Swaziland.

It grew to become the world’s biggest campaign for democracy in Swaziland, organised border blockades and called for sanctions against the Swazi royal family for torture of political and trade union activists.

It supported the historic June 2021 uprising in Swaziland and condemned the killing of advocate Thulani Rudolf Maseko. It also supported efforts by Swazi activists for the International Criminal Court to prosecute the monarchy and his government for the crimes against the people.

COSATU welcomes the efforts made by GWOAS to re-launch the SDC and work with all progressive forces towards a much bigger and united movement for solidarity and democracy in Swaziland.

To this end, COSATU appreciates the role and participation of our Alliance partners, the African National Congress and the South African Communist Party together with other components of the Mass Democratic Movement (MDM) in South Africa, working alongside the Swazi MDM forces.

The 15th National Congress of COSATU is taking place from 14 to 17 September and affiliates will be adopting decisive resolutions on various issues, including the issue of the Swazi people’s struggle for democracy.

COSATU calls on its affiliates, youth and student organisations and popular forces to join the march and momentum towards the revitalisation of the Swazi people’s struggle.

COSATU also calls on SATUCC and sister federations in the region and continent to renew support for the Swazi workers struggle for democracy, economic justice and inclusive development. 

Issued by COSATU

Zanele Sabela (COSATU Spokesperson)

Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639

Email: zaneles@cosatu.org.za