New Federation hosts first sitting for all people in Orlando East

South African Federation of Trade Union (SAFTU) held their first sitting at Orlando East on July 8. SAFTU was launched on April 22 this year.

Peter Force stood up to introduce the executive members and the unions who were in attendance of the meeting.

“In the Federation, we have 24 member unions but today we have less than seven unions,” said Force.

Force said the executive is in process of establishing local structures in four regions namely Vaal, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg.

“We want to reach our target of a million before 2022,” he said.

All the unions who were in attendance were given a chance to say words of encouragement.

President of SAFTU Mack Chabalala said they are in a process of opening another branch in the West Rand.

“Remember we are less than a year old. We as the unions need to let the people know in our areas about the existence of our federation.

“We are independent but we are not political, we need to keep our independence so we can be able to point the mistakes of the government.

“Without the locals, we cannot engage with the community members, remember we are the voice of the poor, working class and the students,” explains Chavalala.

Chabalala urged the unions to be united and work together to ensure that their federation is successful.

“If one of the unions has activities lets invite each other,” said Chabalala.

Chabalala said as the Federation people expect more from them and they need to go back to the streets to introduce the Federation to the people.

“We as the generation must identify our mission and make a choice on whether to fulfill or betray the future. We are facing difficult times, the country is falling apart.

“Let us strive to make a difference in our community like the youth of 1976,” added Chabalala.

Chabalala said they are only two months and a few weeks but the pace their moving in is like they are 16 years old.

“The working class must be united as the force. Our responsibility is not to divide the society but it is to unite it.

Students as long as you organise yourselves you have a home in SAFTU,” said Chabalala.

Chabalala said Fees must fall march was done wrong, parents are supposed to be the ones striking because they are the ones who are paying.

“Parent must march for their children’s education. We need to be part of the struggle for free education for,” said Chabalala.

For more news follow us on these platforms:

Twitter: @SowetoUrban, Facebook: Soweto Urban News, Instagram: @SowetoUrban

News site 1: Westside-Eldos Urban News, News site 2: Soweto Urban News