South African Workers Should Not be Misled by Populists
12 November 2014
The National Union of Mineworkers Youth Forum (NUM-YF) appreciate the fact that Numsa went to their special congress to resolve on some of the issues particularly on Cosatu stance, in that regard we must also remind them that the resolutions of Numsa are not bigger than those of the federation and its constitution.
So far, the federation hasn`t gone to any congress to change its resolutions and founding principles of "one industry, one union". The CEC had no choice but to act on the contravention, Numsa has already started organising in those sectors outside its scope.
It is not a complete shock to observe personal attacks by Numsa to particular leaders in the alliance. These attacks by Irvin Jim are purely informed by a lack of organizational discipline. We thus call on all workers and members of Cosatu affiliates to exercise maximum discipline and abide by the CEC decision.
We appeal to Numsa membership to distance themselves from destruction by populists, political celebrities who want to appear smart on TV as if they are fighting for workers while they are on business using workers money. These political celebrities have become heroes in the mainstream media and the same anti majoritarian media is uncritical of their lack of discipline.
They willingly brought this to themselves when they went against the constitution of the federation. NUM-YF is not rejoicing and will not gloat about the expulsion of Numsa from the federation. We know that divided working class has severe consequences on the struggle for economic emancipation of workers. NUMYF will tirelessly work towards the unity of Cosatu and to strengthen the alliance that is led by the ANC.
We call upon workers to be united in defence of our Cosatu and the entire mass democratic movement ( MDM ).
For more information, please contact:
Sabelo Mgotywa: 076 022 1756/083 678 2557 :NUM-YF National Secretary
ADRESS:
7 Rissik Street.
Cnr Frederick,
Johannesburg
Tel: 011 377 2111
Cell: 083 809 3257
Web: www.num.org.za<http://www.num.org.za>
KwaZulu-Natal COSATU statement on NUMSA`s expulsion
12 November 2014
The story in the New Age of the 11th November 2014 titled ‘NUMSA axing backed’ and ‘COSATU’S KwaZulu Natal branch expressed its support for the expulsion of the union’, is a sign that media is very excited and do not want to see unity and cohesion in COSATU.
The fact of the matter is that this is a deliberate distortion. The news paper was approached and seemed to be acknowledging that the facts are twisted, this is what transpired in the discussions between the journalist and the Provincial Secretary of COSATU.
That the decision to Expel NUMSA was taken at the CEC, and the Province of COSATU in no way can change the decision of the CEC. The responsibility of Provinces is to operationalise the decisions of the higher structures regardless of their positions or views.
A point was also made that comrades must desist to set-up leadership of COSATU against one another, we have witnessed a serious attack directed to some leadership of the federation such as the President, while portraying others as the only leaders that can serve the best interest of our members. This is malicious, factional and divisive, it only seeks to turn members against some leaders of the federation and it can be regarded as a cheap mobilization strategy.
Debates and discussions are important for the development and growth of any organization, but once anyone becomes a member of the organization, the views of the individual are subordinated to those of the organization. All unions of COSATU have rights to engage and take decisions but those decisions should not contravene the constitution, policies and resolutions of the umbrella organization. They should be subjected to the relevant platforms for lobbying and persuasion of others for them to become a policy of the organization, and we think this was the spirit of the Special CEC discussion on the matter in question.
Again KZN assures members of COSATU that in spite of all the challenges facing the federation, but as leadership of this federation we have an obligation to dedicate and commit ourselves to continue the good work our glorious federation COSATU has done, to fight for a National Minimum Wage, defend Vulnerable Workers, Fight for better Conditions of Service, Protect our members Rights including pension Fund, Defend our members from Victimisation, Fight for the conversion of Temporal Workers to Permanent Employment etc. These are part of the aims and objectives of COSATU and this is what we are here for. It is our responsibility to continue provide ideological and political clarity to our members for the complete overhaul of capitalism as a system, and the building of the society where everyone can have a good living conditions and benefit in the economy of the country. Our members must know that they are still safe under COSATU.
Issued by KwaZulu Natal Provincial Secretary
Edwin Mkhize
076 522 8839
- See more at: http://www.cosatu.org.za/show.php?ID=9738#sthash.Hn9qNG5I.dpuf
 |
| Sidumo Dlamini is the president of COSATU. |
The National Union of Mineworkers Youth Forum (NUM-YF) appreciate the fact that Numsa went to their special congress to resolve on some of the issues particularly on Cosatu stance, in that regard we must also remind them that the resolutions of Numsa are not bigger than those of the federation and its constitution.
So far, the federation hasn`t gone to any congress to change its resolutions and founding principles of "one industry, one union". The CEC had no choice but to act on the contravention, Numsa has already started organising in those sectors outside its scope.
It is not a complete shock to observe personal attacks by Numsa to particular leaders in the alliance. These attacks by Irvin Jim are purely informed by a lack of organizational discipline. We thus call on all workers and members of Cosatu affiliates to exercise maximum discipline and abide by the CEC decision.
We appeal to Numsa membership to distance themselves from destruction by populists, political celebrities who want to appear smart on TV as if they are fighting for workers while they are on business using workers money. These political celebrities have become heroes in the mainstream media and the same anti majoritarian media is uncritical of their lack of discipline.
They willingly brought this to themselves when they went against the constitution of the federation. NUM-YF is not rejoicing and will not gloat about the expulsion of Numsa from the federation. We know that divided working class has severe consequences on the struggle for economic emancipation of workers. NUMYF will tirelessly work towards the unity of Cosatu and to strengthen the alliance that is led by the ANC.
We call upon workers to be united in defence of our Cosatu and the entire mass democratic movement ( MDM ).
For more information, please contact:
Sabelo Mgotywa: 076 022 1756/083 678 2557 :NUM-YF National Secretary
ADRESS:
7 Rissik Street.
Cnr Frederick,
Johannesburg
Tel: 011 377 2111
Cell: 083 809 3257
Web: www.num.org.za<http://www.num.org.za>
KwaZulu-Natal COSATU statement on NUMSA`s expulsion
12 November 2014
The story in the New Age of the 11th November 2014 titled ‘NUMSA axing backed’ and ‘COSATU’S KwaZulu Natal branch expressed its support for the expulsion of the union’, is a sign that media is very excited and do not want to see unity and cohesion in COSATU.
The fact of the matter is that this is a deliberate distortion. The news paper was approached and seemed to be acknowledging that the facts are twisted, this is what transpired in the discussions between the journalist and the Provincial Secretary of COSATU.
That the decision to Expel NUMSA was taken at the CEC, and the Province of COSATU in no way can change the decision of the CEC. The responsibility of Provinces is to operationalise the decisions of the higher structures regardless of their positions or views.
A point was also made that comrades must desist to set-up leadership of COSATU against one another, we have witnessed a serious attack directed to some leadership of the federation such as the President, while portraying others as the only leaders that can serve the best interest of our members. This is malicious, factional and divisive, it only seeks to turn members against some leaders of the federation and it can be regarded as a cheap mobilization strategy.
Debates and discussions are important for the development and growth of any organization, but once anyone becomes a member of the organization, the views of the individual are subordinated to those of the organization. All unions of COSATU have rights to engage and take decisions but those decisions should not contravene the constitution, policies and resolutions of the umbrella organization. They should be subjected to the relevant platforms for lobbying and persuasion of others for them to become a policy of the organization, and we think this was the spirit of the Special CEC discussion on the matter in question.
Again KZN assures members of COSATU that in spite of all the challenges facing the federation, but as leadership of this federation we have an obligation to dedicate and commit ourselves to continue the good work our glorious federation COSATU has done, to fight for a National Minimum Wage, defend Vulnerable Workers, Fight for better Conditions of Service, Protect our members Rights including pension Fund, Defend our members from Victimisation, Fight for the conversion of Temporal Workers to Permanent Employment etc. These are part of the aims and objectives of COSATU and this is what we are here for. It is our responsibility to continue provide ideological and political clarity to our members for the complete overhaul of capitalism as a system, and the building of the society where everyone can have a good living conditions and benefit in the economy of the country. Our members must know that they are still safe under COSATU.
Issued by KwaZulu Natal Provincial Secretary
Edwin Mkhize
076 522 8839
- See more at: http://www.cosatu.org.za/show.php?ID=9738#sthash.Hn9qNG5I.dpuf
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