ANC President Zuma to SACP

The creation of decent work opportunities will be the primary focus of our economic policies. We will not compromise the rights of workers and the poor and the national democratic revolution. We are building a developmental state and not a welfare state.

The state of Zimbabwe now

Prime Minister Designate of Zimbabwe, Morgan Tsvangirai, made a statement on the food, humanitarian, economic, and political situation in the country. He said that it is imperative that a government be formed in the next few days.

One killed, four critical at Tautona

A mineworker lost his life today while four are critically injured and two escaped with minor injuries after a seismic event at Anglogold Ashanti’s Tautona mine, Carletonville. Another mineworker was killed at Nkomati mine in Mpumalanga [latter report unconfirmed]. - NUM

Address to Provincial Congresses

COSATU GS Zwelinzima Vavi addressed SADTU and NUMSA Provincial Congresses, reviewing the meaning of Polokwane and subsequent events, refocusing on what is to be done to address unemployment, poverty and growing inequalities, and building for the future.

Alleged YCL attack on culture

YCL respects cultural practices that respect constitutional rights and freedom, including Umhlanga [Reed Dance]. We raised the issue of reed dance in the context of continued manipulation of this practice by some for their patriarchal and narrow sexist notions.

Seeraj Mohamed Discussion

Seeraj Mohamed will open lunchtime discussion from 12h30 at COSATU House on Friday 3 October 2008, on implications of current financial meltdown for developing countries, and general economic trends. – Tiny Thompson, NALEDI, 011 403 2122

Martyrs of our times

Fallen gallant fighters in the midst of people’s war Jacking up freedom of sons and daughters of Swaziland Mounting the Journey of freedom for all - Thobile Maso

Monetary regulations harm Zim poor

The MDC condemns the current monetary regime which allows both individuals and companies to withdraw a paltry Z$1 000 per day which is not enough to address the basic needs of an average family.

Action must be taken at TB Hospital

NEHAWU condemns the assault of its members at Jose Pearson TB Hospital by the patients on Monday. The department of Health has failed these workers.

RBZ decision on Foreign Currency

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has increased the amounts of foreign currency individuals and companies can carry out of Zimbabwe. The poor are discriminated while making local currency withdrawals but the elite can take huge amounts in foreign currency outside the country.

Mbeki resignation and Zim

Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) is shocked by reports that President Robert Mugabe was “devastated” by President Mbeki’s resignation. Mugabe thinks that Mbeki should have hung on despite popular dissatisfaction with his leadership.

SANMVA launch

Eight Military Veterans organizations of Statutory Forces and Liberation Armies will establish the South African National Military Veterans Association as a single, united, democratic body representating the will of all Military Veterans and their dependents.

POPCRU Crime Summit

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union will be holding a Crime Summit on 8-10 October 2008 bringing together many stakeholders including ANC, SACP, COSATU government and academics.

SACP Policy Conference

SACP General Secretary Dr Blade Nzimande has delivered a comprehensive Political Overview to set the scene for the Party’s National Policy Conference, 26-28 September 2008, under the slogan: Build Working Class Power, Build a Revolutionary State!

COSATU President to SACP Conference

COSATU President Sidumo Dlamini addressed the SACP Policy Conference in Randburg and in a detailed speech outlined the necessary steps for unity and for the reversal of failed strategy and tactics of the past.

Fishers to picket Parliament

Fishing organizations plus COSATU will be holding a picket on Sunday 28th September 2008 at Parliament from 11h00 to 16h00. The protest will hand over a memorandum to the Minister at 14h00.

In defence of Nicholson’s judgment

Justice Nicholson considered the facts and applied the law in drawing the necessary inferences before arriving at his findings. To characterize the judgment as mere opinion and pontification as does Professor Shadrack Gutto in the Pretoria News of 24 September 2008 is an insult and constitutes contempt of court - SASAWU

ANC government leadership change

Amandla Publishers joins Emeritus Desmond Tutu in denunciation of the recall of Thabo Mbeki.

TAC welcomes new Health Minister

The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) welcomes the appointments of Ms Barbara Hogan as the Minister of Health and Dr Molefi Sefularo as the Deputy Minister of Health. We congratulate President Motlanthe for making these excellent appointments.

Resignation of MoD & DMoD

The South African Security Forces Union welcomes the resignation of the Minister & Deputy Minister of Defence as a great relief as the two have demonstrated incompetence and disregard of the soldiers and the working class in general.

Ford workers incensed by layoffs

NUMSA is extremely peeved that the Ford company announced massive layoffs while it is still engaged in Section 189 negotiations. It is clear is that Ford management is not interested in finding a resolution jointly with labour.

Congratulations, Comrade Motlanthe

The ANC YL congratulates Comrade Kgalema Motlanthe for his election as President of the Republic of South Africa and re-affirms its total and unwavering support for Comrades Motlanthe and Baleka Mbete and sends to cabinet and the entire government, best wishes.

Congratulations, ‘Mkhuluwa’!

The SACP welcomes the swearing in of Cde Kgalema Motlanthe as the third President of a democratic South Africa and wishes him all the best as he leads the government effort to confront the many daunting challenge facing our country and our revolution.

Congratulations, Kgalema Motlanthe!

The Congress of South African Trade Unions warmly congratulates Comrade Kgalema Motlanthe on his election and swearing-in as President of South Africa and pledges its support for him and his government.

Meddling subverts democracy

The newly elected urban and rural MDC councillors have become victims of undue political interference in carrying out their day-to-day duties from Zanu PF officials in various parts of the country.

NUM calls for boycott of Woolworths

The NUM NEC met and supports it former GS Kgalema Motlanthe as President of the Republic; will support Woolworths workers’ struggle for recognition; calls for release of Presidential Report on Mine Safety; will march for affirmative action; and opposes the 2% electricity levy.

Consumer boycott of Woolworths [2]

COSATU pledges full support for the SA Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union call for a national boycott of Woolworths, and urges its members to join the planned marches and to respect and support the lunchtime picket-lines.

Consumer boycott of Woolworths

SACCAWU launched a national consumer boycott of Woolworths in support of union recognition and normal rights. There will be marches: Bloemfontein, 27 September, Pretoria 29 September, Sandton 3 October, lunchtime pickets, secondary and solidarity action nationally and internationally.

Memorial

The Swaziland Solidarity Network and the SACP will be having a memorial meeting for Comrades Advocate 'Prince' Musa Dlamini aka MJ, and Jack Govender aka Sipho Khumalo, at 14h30 on Thursday 25 September 2008 at Randburg Inn. Queries to Lucky, 072 502 4141.

SACP Policy Conference

The Policy Conference, 26 to 28 September 2008 in Randburg Towers Inn Johannesburg, is to bring some finality to longstanding discussions on the SACP and State Power, and also to pronounce on latest political developments and on the tasks of the post-Mbeki administration.

Heritage Day and the Reed Dance

YCL calls on young people to celebrate this year's Heritage Day, 24 September 2008, in protest against the outdated 'Reed Dances'. This practice is outdated and constitutes a violation of women's rights.

Gert Sibande remembered

COSATU Mpumalanga Provincial Secretary Norman Mokoena made a speech in Bethal at the unveiling of a statue to honour the memory of Comrade Gert Sibande, ‘Lion of the East’, 1956 Treason Trialist, founder of the Plantation and Allied Workers Union and ANC NEC member.

On UNHCR criticism of Civil Society

eMzantsi Ubuntu Coalition issued a strong rebuttal of UNHCR criticism of Civil Society’s role during the xenophobia crisis, in a joint statement signed by ten organisations and individuals including COSATU.

Cdes Musa Dlamini & Jack Govender

It is with sadness that we learn of the passing of two internationalists, revolutionaries and members of the freedom struggle in Swaziland, comrades Musa "MJ" Dlamini and Jack Govender. The two passed on between Mbabane and Manzini in what appeared to have been an explosion. - SSN

ANC decision to recall Mbeki

The African National Congress Youth League (ANC YL) welcomes the decision of the ANC NEC to recall Comrade Thabo Mbeki from the Presidency of South Africa.

NEHAWU on Mbeki recall, resignations

NEHAWU welcomes the decision to recall President Thabo Mbeki. Recall has become an entrenched radical democratic practice. Most members of the Mbeki Cabinet acted as a faction within the ANC, promoting state-technocratic control for the benefit of the elite and big-business.

Anti-MDC violence increasing

Political violence against MDC supporters in some parts of Zimbabwe continue despite signing of a deal between the MDC and Zanu PF meant to end the country's political and economic stalemate.

Political imbecility & sycophancy

The resignations reflect political imbecility and sycophancy. The YCL we will urge the Alliance to have a political discussion on the tendency whereby cadres are more loyal to an individual than the organisation they serve.

Reckless provocation

The announcement by the Presidency that Mbeki had received and accepted the resignation of 11 cabinet ministers and three deputies “so far” must have been endorsed by Mbeki himself. It was a reckless attempt to provoke a sense of crisis, locally and internationally - SACP

Mpontshi David Modimoeng

NUMSA announces with sadness the death of comrade David Modimoeng on 18 September 2008. Memorial 24 September, funeral 27 September, both in Oukasie.

Seizing the moment

The COSATU CEC met today, vindicated by Judge Nicholson and in agreement with the ANC NEC decision to recall President Mbeki. The Alliance is debating paper called “Seizing the moment”.

Cash withdrawals ultimatum to RBZ

ZCTU has given the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe a 7-day ultimatum to solve the cash crisis whereby Zimbabwean workers are being prevented from withdrawing money, or it will call for National Action.

Pillar of peace, stability and order

ANC President Jacob Zuma held a press conference today. The text of his statement was published in a special edition of ANC Today. The full text will be carried in COSATU Today.

We will strive to act in unity

President Mbeki’s resignation speech to the nation was also published in the special (e-mail) edition of ANC Today. The full text will be carried in COSATU Today.

State media should foster healing

Zimbabwe state-controlled media continues to use hate speech and propaganda. Last Saturday, civil servant and Herald journalist Nathaniel Manheru used uncivilized language and peddled falsehood that MDC is full of puppets of whites. Herald and ZBC must simply serve the people - MDC

Coaching Clinics

The South African Football Players Union [SAFPU] and the Tourism Hospitality Sport Education Training Authority [THETA] will be embarking on a series of coaching clinics that will take place at Mokopane and Nkowankowa in the Limpopo Province on the 7th and 8th October 2008

Woolworths workers to continue strike

Workers unanimously resolved to continue with the Woolworths strike from today Monday 22 September until a satisfactory response from the company. A notice of extension has been served - SACCAWU

ANC YL on Mbeki recall

The ANC YL will hold a press conference tomorrow 23 September 2008 at 12h00 at Luthuli House

Press conference now 17h00

COSATU's press conference previously schedued for 15h00 will now take place at 17h00

Military show caused baby's death

AntiWar Coalition expresses outrage at death of 4-month-old baby, directly as a result of the military “air show” at Ysterplaat, Cape Town. Hosts of the military show must take responsibility.

No more fires! No more evictions!

Anti-Eviction Campaign (AEC) and Abahlali BaseMjondolo (AbM) are to hold a Shack Fire Summit in Durban while Foreman Rd residents resist illegal demolition of homes after shack fires - WCAEC.

Guguletu backyarders building

300 backyard dwellers have returned to open land Lansdowne Road next to the Fezeka municipal buildings and are going to start building their shacks there – WCAEC.

COSATU Central Executive Committee

CEC meets Monday 22 September 2008 to discuss Judge Nicholson's Pietermaritzurg judgement and the ANC NEC meeting. Press conference 15h00 same day in COSATU House.

ZCTU on ZPF-MDC Powersharing

Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions’ General Council called the Zim deal a far cry from ZCTU expectations, outcome of a flawed process, and only a temporary measure. ZCTU will engage MDC President, Morgan Tsvangirai for a direct briefing on the deal.