VRYHEID: COSATU elects new leadership in Pongola
Touching on politics, Mhlongo said that some members were interested in "bread and butter issues" and encouraged members to "swell the ranks of the ANC and the SACP".
Lolo Madonsela
The local branch of COSATU in Pongola had a re-launch last week Friday, where the Shop-Stewards Council elected new leadership after the term of office for the outgoing leadership came to an end.
Local secretary Xolani Mhlongo said, “After the term of office for the old leadership ended with so many challenges, we decided to have the Shop-Stewards Council elect new leadership instead of filling the vacant positions of the chairperson and deputy chairperson, who resigned, and our local treasurer is serving notice where he works”.
The council received support from affiliates such as SANCO (represented by Lawrence Dube), SACP (represented by Sbusio Mdlalose), as well as ANC Mzala Nxumalo Secretary Zakes Buthelezi. They also received support from COSATU Provincial Secretary Edwin Mkhize.
The new leadership was elected unopposed, where Sabelo Khumalo from SADTU was elected as the chairperson; Bhekisisa Zondo from DENOSA as deputy chairperson; Londiwe from SACCAWU as treasurer; and Xolani Mhlongo from NEHAWU as secretary.
In his secretariat report, Mhlongo said, “The Pongola local branch of COSATU meets here as progressive workers to deepen and consolidate the struggle of the national democratic revolution and advance the struggle for socialism. The local branch had its fair share of challenges during the term of office that is ending today.
Also read: VRYHEID: Pongola joins mass COSATU march in a fight against unemployment
“Capitalism and imperialism continue to wage a brutal war against the working class in all sectors. South Africa as a State remains predominantly a State ridden with more capitalist characteristics and posturing. Resulting from that, the working class and the poor suffer the most. Inequality remains the worst and unemployment remains soaring high at around 30.1%”.
He said that, as the local branch, they will have to participate in specific campaigns by demonstrating internationalist solidarity with the struggles of the people of Swaziland, Palestine, Western Sahara and Cuba, including protest action in their support.
“It is with great pleasure that we announce that last year July, as Pongola Local, we hosted the KZN Province in a successful picket at the Golela border to fight against the Tikhundla regime. The Tikhundla regime continues to abuse our comrades from the Communist Party of Swaziland. As Local, we will continue to support comrades from Swaziland”, he said.
Touching on politics, Mhlongo said that some members were interested in “bread and butter issues” and encouraged members to “swell the ranks of the ANC and the SACP”.
“We have noted that not all members of unions are politically active; most members are interested in bread and butter issues – our members belong to different political parties, but we encourage them to swell the ranks of the ANC and SACP.
“Comrades, as we are meeting today, we would like to welcome Cde Sbusiso Mhlongo as the mayor of uPhongolo Municipality. We are not doubting his credentials as a leader, which will help to transform our municipality. As a well-known cadre of the movement, we trust he will soon deal with the issues which were obstacles in fast-tracking service delivery. We would also like to thank Cde Bawinile Nhlabathi for her dedication in working for the people of Pongola. As COSATU, we would support any comrade that is deployed by the ANC to lead in any government sphere and we don’t want to be part of factions that continue to divide the giant organisation”, said Mhongo.
He further touched on socio-economic and unemployment matters, where he said, “We are extremely shocked by the government in failing to give the workers their hard-earned increment. As COSATU, we refuse to sit idle while workers’ hard-earned money is used to line the pockets of the greedy.
“We also note the careless statement that was uttered by Public Service Minister Comrade Senzo Mchunu that public service is bloated and promises to cut the wedge bill. It is very sad that that was said by our own comrade whom we campaigned for. We will continue to fight for what is due to the workers and we will leave no stone unturned. “The recent statistics released by Stats SA showed that the unemployment in SA has reached its highest level at 30.1%. Comrades, we must continue to campaign for the following demands: job losses, undermining of Bargaining Councils, corruption, health and safety, danger allowance, stop outsourcing and casualisation. Push for the in-sourcing of services which are needed daily, like security, cleaners, potters, etc. Also, unfreezing of public service posts, implementation of NHI and campaigning against labour brokers.”
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