COSATU calls on GNU to hit the ground running
30 June 2024
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) notes President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of the government of national unity (GNU) and welcomes its diverse representation including that of women and youth.
COSATU expects the GNU to hit the ground running and get on with the business of unlocking the economy, creating decent permanent jobs, reducing poverty and inequality and ensuring inclusive growth beyond the paltry 1% the country has endured in recent years.
Whilst COSATU and our allies, the South African Communist Party and the African National Congress, campaigned tirelessly for an outright ANC majority at the 29 May polls, we accept the will of voters to see political power shared amongst vastly different and contesting political formations. The GNU must be guided by the Constitution and the rule of law and be biased towards the needs of working-class communities. As the leading party nationally and provincially, we expect the policy mandate of the GNU to be anchored upon the ANC manifesto, as we cannot afford a free for all where each of the GNU’s 10 parties’ manifestos vie for space.
For the Federation it is crucial that the principles included in the GNU Declaration, specifically respecting the hard won constitutional and labour rights of workers as well as the transformation agenda be honoured. Equally critical for COSATU is the delivery of the National Health Insurance and comprehensive social security, supporting the principles of employment equity and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, accelerating the war on crime and corruption, investing in the developmental state and well-resourced public services, supporting the African agenda and pledging solidarity with struggling nations across the world, including the Palestinian people.