COSATU President Sdumo Dlamini has delivered a major address to the leadership body of South Africa's largest trade union federation. A rift has developed over the status of the suspended general secretary Vavi., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
COSATU Mpumalanga Provincial Executive Committee statement
10 March 2014
The Congress of South African Trade Union in Mpumalanga held a Provincial Executive Committee meeting on 06-07 March 2014 at the Department of Labour in the Emalahleni Municipality.
The meeting was addressed amongst others by Comrade Sdumo Dlamini - the COSATU President, Comrade Mlungisi Makhanya the Secretary General of the Peoples United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) and comrade Lesetja Dikgale the PEC spokesperson of the SACP in Mpumalanga.
The meeting received reports and engaged on robust discussion of both the political and socio - economic challenges confronting our province (Mpumalanga) and the country as a whole.
ON THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC REVOLUTION
COSATU in Mpumalanga believes that the ANC led Alliance is still on track in pursuing the struggle for the success of the National Democratic Revolution whose objective is the resolution of the three basic and inter-related antagonistic contradictions of race, class and gender oppression.
The meeting further reaffirmed its commitments to ensure that the working class emerges as the politically dominant and leading social class in the consolidation, advancement and defence of the gains of the National Democratic Revolution.
ON THE 2014 NATIONAL AND PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS
COSATU in Mpumalanga reaffirms its commitment to strive for a 90% ANC victory in the province. We shall do these by contributing with both human and financial resources towards an overwhelming ANC victory.
Against this background, the PEC resolved that on 15-16 March 2014, All COSATU local structures in the province will embark on election work led by all PEC members.
The election work will include amongst others, door to door campaign, blitzes at taxis and bus ranks, work place meetings, visits to churches etc.
ON THE DISTRUCTIVE AND VIOLENT PROTEST ACTIONS IN BUSHBUCKRIDGE AND MBOMBELA MUNICIPALITY
The PEC noted with regret the continued violent protest actions engulfing the Bushbuckridge Municipality. The PEC has committed to work closely with the African National Congress and other Progressive structures in the province to investigate the real course of these protest action.
The PEC condemns in the strongest possible terms any act of violence, looting, xenophobic attacks and destruction of private and public property during these protest actions.
COSATU in Mpumalanga shall as a matter of extreme urgency, engage its alliance partners to jointly develop a strategy of engaging the affected communities and address the challenges that they have identified.
The PEC meeting further commended our affiliate union NEHAWU for being the first union to launch their election campaign in the trouble-torn Bushbuckridge Municipality.
ON THE STATE OF THE PROVINCE ADDRESS
COSATU welcomed the broad thrust of the 2014 State of the Province Address.
We welcome the gains that the province has achieved over the past five years like
Implementation of the Rural Development Programme which contributes to job creation and poverty alleviation.
Establishment of cooperatives which empowers the working class and the poor.
Increase on the number of no fee schools in the province to 1646 public schools.
The building of 25 new schools in the past five years
The achievement of a 77, 6% pass rate by the 2013 matric class.
The achievement of a 23% reduction in contact crime.
Despite the above gains and achievement, there are still enormous challenges confronting our ANC led government i.e.
The poor state of local government in the province.
The lack of qualified personnel in the Health Department
The increasing number of people affected with HIV/AIDS in the province.
The lack of personnel and infrastructure to implement the National Health Insurance.
COSATU commits to engage with government in trying to find solutions to the above challenges and more.
ON DEFENDING THE RIGTHS OF FARM WORKERS IN THE PROVINCE
The conditions under which farm workers live and work in the province are regrettable and appalling. Farm workers are the most vulnerable in our society. The Majority of farm workers in the province work for very low wages and under conditions which are below the acceptable labour standards.
The majority of farm workers are denied their constitutional right to exercise their freedom of choice and association by joining unions of their choice.Farm workers are subjected to very bad conditions and get evicted from the farms on daily basis.
It is against this background that the meeting had decided to launch a Provincial Campaign to defend farm workers on the 26 April 2014.
COSATU in the province will mobilise all stakeholder i.e. CCMA, Department of Labour, NGO`s and government to participate and collaborate in the campaign to defend farm workers in the province.
ON MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS
COSATU in Mpumalanga will host two May Day celebrations.
The Province will hold two May Day rallies in the Mbombela Municipality at Matsulu Stadium and in the Msukaligwa Municipality at the Sport Inn Town Hall.
The two May Day celebrations in the province and all mobilisation activities leading towards May Day, will be integrated into the ANC elections campaign as part of the contribution by COSATU ensure the ANC overwhelming victory.
The PEC endorsed the May Day theme as follows "United Action for Service to Defend and Safeguard Workers Unity and Rights."
ON SWAZILAND
The PEC meeting congratulated the Peoples United Democratic Movement for their very successful National Congress which was held on the 21 - 23 February 2014 in South Africa. The meeting further congratulated the leadership elected from that Congress who has a momentous task of liberating the people of Swaziland from the dictatorship of the monarchy and suppression.
On the 12 April 2014, COSATU in the province will lead a protest march to the Oshoek Swaziland border gate to demand amongst others:-
The unbanning of all political parties in Swaziland.
The release of all political prisoners unconditionally including Amos Mbedzi and Zonke Dlamini.
The unconditional return of all those who are exiled by the regime.
COSATU vows to mobilise all progressive forces in the province to participate in the protest march.
For more information please contact the Provincial Secretary Fidel Mlombo @ 0827195699 or 0795110947
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