Selloane Khalane
MPUMALANGA - The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) President Zingiswa Losi slammed the African National Congress (ANC) against using the gains of democracy for self-enrichment.
“We did not wage a struggle to see a democratic state become a playground for thieves.The control of the state must be used to eliminate poverty, unemployment, and inequality, not to elevate tenderpreneurs,” Losi shared her sentiments withthousands attending the COSATU rally on 1 May at Kee Taaljaard Stadium in Middelburg.
President Cyril Ramaphosa who was keynote speaker at the rally, reaffirmed that the Government of National Unity (GNU) remains committed to serving the country despite ideological differences within the multiparty coalition highlighting the importance of workers rights and the struggles of the working class.
Reflecting on last year’s elections, which cost the ANC its majority, Ramaphosa described the 2024 poll outcome as a significant strategic setback for the National Democratic Revolution.
“It was a setback for our ongoing struggle to fundamentally transform our economy and society, and for the struggles of the working class. But although it was a setback, it was not a defeat.” Ramaphosa thanked workers for standing firm on critical issues such as the National Health Insurance (NHI).
“We thank you for standing firm to ensure that the law was signed, that it was passed, and to affirm that it will be implemented—whether they like it or not,” he said to a cheering crowd.
“Even within a government of national unity, we were able to ensure that the wishes of our people were fulfilled—be it the BELA Act, the Expropriation Act.
“All of it happened because of you. We want COSATU to continue being strong, and we, as the ANC, will continue to support COSATU.
“Today, we are proud to participate in this rally in support of COSATU and to ensure that COSATU continues to succeed,” he said.
He also acknowledged that while some parties within the GNU have historically opposed societal transformation and the interests of the working class, the GNU has agreed on strategic priorities and a programme of action aimed at progress.“The complete liberation of our people is far from achieved. Poverty and inequality still define our society. Millions are unemployed and struggle to earn a decent wage,” Ramaphosa said. Ramaphosa says most importantly, all GNU partnershave agreed to a Basic Minimum Programme of Action that protects workers’rights, even though it faces challenges and contradictions.
“We’ve seen some of these challenges recently, particularly in the development and adoption of the national budget. After consultations between GNU partners, Parliament, and other stakeholders, we have now reached an agreement that the Minister of Finance should table a revised budget to Parliament,”
Ramaphosa stated.Losi urged workers never to be passive.
Highlighting many past victories led by the union. She warned that those gains are now under threat.
“Unemployment remains a national crisis in South Africa. Labour brokering and casualisation have not yet been defeated,” she said.
Losi reminded workers that their fight was never for a democracy that delivers only crumbs to the working class.
“The state must serve the working class, not a few elite,” she said firmly.
