September Commission

The Report of the September Commission Chapter 1

The scenarios are stories about the future. The scenarios are not stories about the strategies of COSATU. They are stories about the forces and factors outside COSATU, beyond COSATU’s control. Download


The Report of the September Commission Chapter 2

This chapter argues that social unionism is the best option for responding to the challenges described in the September Scenarios. It recommends a 12-point programme for social unionism Download


The Report of the September Commission Chapter 3

This chapter assesses the current political situation. It recommends that COSATU actively commit itself to consolidating and extending democracy. It recommends measures to renew the Alliance and build a working bias in the ANC. Download


The Report of the September Commission Chapter 4

This chapter outlines an economic vision which focuses on overcoming poverty and the legacy of apartheid, through a strategy of redistribution. This is an economic transformation based on the redistribution of wealth, incomes, power, opportunities and skills. The chapter argues for the transformation of four sectors Download


The Report of the September Commission Chapter 5

This chapter analyses the crisis in the public sector. It develops a labour vision for the public sector. It recommends that COSATU should adopt an active strategy for transforming the public sector. A whole chapter is dedicated to this issue because it is so important for the transformation of our society Download


The Report of the September Commission Chapter 6

This chapter analyses the workplace challenges facing the unions. It recommends a strategy of strategic engagement for overcoming the legacy of apartheid and democratizing the workplace. It also recommends that COSATU debate various forms of institutionalized participation in the workplace Download


The Report of the September Commission Chapter 7

COSATU could continue as it currently does. The result could be weak affiliates in many vulnerable sectors. The affiliates that are currently strong and well-organised would remain so. But overall, COSATU’s position in the labour market would be weakened, and this would be likely to affect its influence at a political level, and at NEDLAC Download


The Report of the September Commission Chapter 8

The chapter analyses the position of women in society, in the labour market, and in the unions. Despite COSATU’s progressive policies and resolutions on gender and women, there has been little or no progress in the federation. We recommend a number of stronger measures, including a quota system to ensure women take leadership positions at all levels. Download


The Report of the September Commission Chapter 9

This chapter focuses on the organisational problems in COSATU and affiliates. It makes recommendations about building effective, democratic and dynamic organisation, and for boosting organisational capacity Download


The Report of the September Commission Chapter 10

The chapter focuses on the structures and capacities of COSATU rather than affiliates. It also focuses on the relation between COSATU and affiliates. It makes recommendations for reforming the Federation so that it can implement the strategies recommended in earlier chapters. Some of the recommendations will lead to constitutional changes as well as certain changes in some of our traditions and cultures Download