ANC YOUTH LEAGUE RESPONSE TO THE NATIONAL UNION OF METALWORKERS OF SOUTH AFRICA:
The African National Congress Youth League (ANC YL) notes the sentiments of the leadership of the National Union of Metalworkers (NUMSA) on what they perceive to be challenges in the ANC and alliance as a whole (see statement). The ANC YL respects the right of NUMSA leadership to robustly engage on any political and ideological question they deem necessary at whatever interval.
When the NUMSA leadership was a press briefing to voice their sentiments and concerns, the National Working Committee of the ANC YL was in a meeting with Office Bearers of COSATU at the COSATU Head Office in Braamfontein. Our meeting with COSATU agreed on almost all strategic and tactical questions, which the Labour federation and the Youth league should jointly campaign on over the next few months. This includes a concretising a common view on the Nationalisation of Mines, which COSATU fully supports and the campaign on the illegalisation of Labour Brokers. We also agreed to intensify campaigns on the ANC five priorities for the next five years, particularly on education and health.
The ANC Youth League and COSATU agreed on further engagements and meetings to concretise a clear programme on how we influence radical economic transformation and build sustainable livelihoods for all South Africans. The ANC Youth League is convinced that the leadership of COSATU represents true leadership of the working class and will never compromise on progressive principles for narrow political battles. We will for a very long time derive good lessons from the COSATU on matters that relate to workers and the working class.
In our subsequent engagement with COSATU, we are of the conviction that all COSATU affiliates, including NUMSA will raise its concerns and begin to appreciate the many common goals we share in the National Democratic Revolution.
Statement issued by the ANC Youth League, February 18 2010
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