The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) wishes its tried and tested ally, the African National Congress (ANC), well over its National General Council (NGC) set to take place from 8 to 11 December.  We urge NGC delegates to focus on matters that affect the working class.

The ANC led liberation movement and the Tripartite Alliance with COSATU, the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the South African National Civics’ Organisation (SANCO) have won historic victories over decades of struggle that led to the defeat of the apartheid regime, the democratic breakthrough of 1994, the adoption of our internationally respected Constitution and our progressive labour laws that protect the rights of millions of workers today. 

Government under successive ANC led administrations since 1994 has seen 60% of the Budget targeted towards uplifting the poor and working-class communities.  It is no small achievement that 27 million of our most destitute compatriots receive a social grant, that millions of students have been able to access tertiary education with NSFAS funding, that free basic education with meals have been rolled out across the country, the National Minimum Wage that has boosted the salaries of more than 6 million vulnerable workers, and the passing of the National Health Insurance Act laying the foundation for universal healthcare.

Whilst we correctly applaud the many progressive achievements workers and society have secured under the ANC, we cannot be complacent with regards to the serious failures and blunders of some in government, or the dire socio-economic crises facing the working class, in particular an economy that has struggled to grow beyond 1% per annum since 2008, the painfully high unemployment rate of 42.4%, and entrenched levels of poverty, inequality, crime and corruption.  Equally, we must be frank about the devastating impact that neo-liberal and reckless austerity budget cuts have inflicted upon the public and municipal services that the working class and the economy depend upon. 

The Federation urges our ally to focus the attention of the NGC on addressing matters that affect the poor and the unemployed, to intensify the ANC’s renewal campaign and redoubling its efforts to cleanse itself of disreputable elements and remain an organisation biased towards the poor and the working class. 

The NGC needs to speak to urgent measures, including the upcoming 2026/27 Budget, that must capacitate the state at all levels to fulfill its constitutional, developmental and transformation agenda.  Particular focus must be given to the extremely worrying state of local government and municipal services.  The NGC must revive progressive commitments made at the ANC NEC Lekgotla in January that spoke to a bold new infrastructure, industrial and SMMEs financing programme.  Similarly, a mass public employment programme is a fundamental necessity to provide a pathway to decent employment for the 12 million unemployed.

Not only is an ANC firmly on the path of renewal a necessity to ensuring a decisive victory for the Alliance at the pending local government elections, so is a radically reconfigured Alliance.  It is important the Alliance Political Council urgently be convened post the NGC to ensure that the Alliance resolves matters of concern about its cohesion and functioning, and that the modalities for the Alliance’s contesting the local elections are resolved in a manner that leaves the movement united. 

Issued by COSATU

Matthew Parks (COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator)

Mobile: 082 785 0687

Email: matthew@cosatu.org.za