COSATU Today
Press Statement
COSATU President Calls for Unity to Realize One Country, One Federation Principle
Norman Mampane, COSATU Communications Officer, 1 May 2014
2 May 2014
The Congress of South African Trade Unions held a successful National May Day celebration at Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, attended by more than 25 000 workers and members of the community.
The event was addressed by Alliance in which all the speakers called for a strong, vibrant and united COSATU.
We received spiritual meditations led by the ANC Provincial Chaplain, Rev T Xaba, with other faith-based formations pledging the nation to pray for the coming elections.
The South African Communist Party General Secretary, Cde Blade Nzimande amplified a call for closing of ranks.
He said ‘As we mark 20-years of democracy in SA, let us remember together the important working class victories we have collectively achieved over these two decades. On May 7 let us also deal a decisive electoral blow against the EFF – the party led by the most corrupt tenderpreneur’. ‘Let us roll back monopoly capital! Let us deal decisively with corruption! Let us defeat anti-working class forces!’
COSATU President, Cde Sidumo Dlamini reiterated that ‘fragmentation of workers’ organizations is not helpful to realize the principle of One Country, One Federation’. He further emphasised that the unity of the Federation is sacrosanct, and also called for total banning of labour brokers as the system is a curse to society’.
The President of the African National Congress, Cde Jacob Zuma delivering a key note address said ‘You will recall that COSATU was barely five months old when it pulled one of the biggest stay-aways to demand recognition of May Day as a paid up public holiday in 1986’.
He further said ‘It is now in the history books that COSATU broke with the reformist agenda of the old unions and reconnected with the militant progressive labour history, to build a strong and militant union movement that would be home to all progressive workers.
That is part of the proud history of the labour movement in this country, the proud history of our country’.
To a thunderous reception the ANC President received, he further said ‘Only a strong and united COSATU can unite workers and close ranks for any tendency which seeks to divide workers, weaken worker power, undermine collective bargaining and encourage action in contempt of democratic institutions’.
President Zuma concluded by saying ‘Workers must unite behind the ANC on the 7th of May when they cast their ballots during the 5th democratic general elections’.
Meanwhile, The South African National Civic Organization delivered its apology tendered by their President, Cde Richard Mdakane, who was ill. And they called all members of the community to vote ANC.
All attendees were entertained by various traditional groupings such as Mafolosha Nkw thabeng from Mohlaletse, Modung wa maAfrika from gaPhasha, Makgolanaga from Moletlane, A re jeng tlhako from Lephalale.
Dr Malinga sealed the celebrations with a thrilling performance.
COSATU says Vote ANC on May 7!
COSATU says protect workers’ right through a vote!
- See more at: http://www.cosatu.org.za/show.php?ID=8716#sthash.RYH4T5rU.dpuf
Press Statement
COSATU President Calls for Unity to Realize One Country, One Federation Principle
 |
| Members of the Congress of South African Trade Unions, the largest labor federation inside the country. |
2 May 2014
The Congress of South African Trade Unions held a successful National May Day celebration at Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, attended by more than 25 000 workers and members of the community.
The event was addressed by Alliance in which all the speakers called for a strong, vibrant and united COSATU.
We received spiritual meditations led by the ANC Provincial Chaplain, Rev T Xaba, with other faith-based formations pledging the nation to pray for the coming elections.
The South African Communist Party General Secretary, Cde Blade Nzimande amplified a call for closing of ranks.
He said ‘As we mark 20-years of democracy in SA, let us remember together the important working class victories we have collectively achieved over these two decades. On May 7 let us also deal a decisive electoral blow against the EFF – the party led by the most corrupt tenderpreneur’. ‘Let us roll back monopoly capital! Let us deal decisively with corruption! Let us defeat anti-working class forces!’
COSATU President, Cde Sidumo Dlamini reiterated that ‘fragmentation of workers’ organizations is not helpful to realize the principle of One Country, One Federation’. He further emphasised that the unity of the Federation is sacrosanct, and also called for total banning of labour brokers as the system is a curse to society’.
The President of the African National Congress, Cde Jacob Zuma delivering a key note address said ‘You will recall that COSATU was barely five months old when it pulled one of the biggest stay-aways to demand recognition of May Day as a paid up public holiday in 1986’.
He further said ‘It is now in the history books that COSATU broke with the reformist agenda of the old unions and reconnected with the militant progressive labour history, to build a strong and militant union movement that would be home to all progressive workers.
That is part of the proud history of the labour movement in this country, the proud history of our country’.
To a thunderous reception the ANC President received, he further said ‘Only a strong and united COSATU can unite workers and close ranks for any tendency which seeks to divide workers, weaken worker power, undermine collective bargaining and encourage action in contempt of democratic institutions’.
President Zuma concluded by saying ‘Workers must unite behind the ANC on the 7th of May when they cast their ballots during the 5th democratic general elections’.
Meanwhile, The South African National Civic Organization delivered its apology tendered by their President, Cde Richard Mdakane, who was ill. And they called all members of the community to vote ANC.
All attendees were entertained by various traditional groupings such as Mafolosha Nkw thabeng from Mohlaletse, Modung wa maAfrika from gaPhasha, Makgolanaga from Moletlane, A re jeng tlhako from Lephalale.
Dr Malinga sealed the celebrations with a thrilling performance.
COSATU says Vote ANC on May 7!
COSATU says protect workers’ right through a vote!
- See more at: http://www.cosatu.org.za/show.php?ID=8716#sthash.RYH4T5rU.dpuf
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