Workers are ready to defend our ally, the ANC
28 May 2024
Worker are ready to defend our ally, the African National Congress (ANC) and the gains workers have won since 1994. The many victories workers have painstakingly fought for and achieved over decades from the right to form trade unions to the right to a minimum wage are on the ballot. Workers are prepared and determined to defend these hard-won gains that have improved the lives of millions.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is heartened by the readiness of our Affiliates, thousands of shop stewards and millions of workers.
Police Officers and National Defence Force personnel are ready to ensure all can vote safely. Electoral staff are ready to ensure all can vote smoothly. Party agents and media workers are ready to ensure all can vote freely. Shop stewards, organisers and taxi drivers are ready to ensure all can get to their voting stations.
The Federation has crisscrossed the length and breadth of the country with our tried and tested allies, the ANC and the South African Communist Party. We have met farm workers in De Doorns, mine workers at Lily Mine, municipal workers in Tshwane, teachers in Schweizer-Reneke, nurses in Letaba, Transnet staff in Richard’s Bay, motor manufacturing workers eGqeberha, security guards in Kimberley and taxi drivers in Mangaung.
The message from workers is clear. We are ready to defend workers’ hard-won rights and the gains working class communities have won since 1994. We are ready to defend the only ally the working class has ever known, the ANC and to ensure it emerges with an outright majority across the nation.
COSATU and its Affiliates will be on the ground, conducting inspections visits of workplaces from hotels to restaurants, from farms to petrol stations, to ensure all workers are able and supported in exercising the fundamental constitutional right to vote. No employer will be allowed to threaten any worker. Workers must immediately any such criminal act by any employer to COSATU and the SAPS.
Any workplace who victimises workers will be met with strike action, inspection raids, blacklisting and mass boycotts. We will not compromise on defending all South Africans, and in particular workers’ right to vote.
We are confident the 7th democratic elections will be free and fair and the various electoral and support staff in place will fulfill their mandate with distinction. We applaud these workers for their tireless efforts.
We look forward to congratulating the incoming President of the Republic, the first General Secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers and founding father of COSATU, Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa on his reelection. Most importantly we are excited to continue working with the President and the ANC led government on accelerating the good work being done to grow the economy, create jobs, reduce poverty, rebuild the state, and tackle crime and corruption.
Siyanqoba loading.
Issued by Matthew Parks, Acting National Spokesperson & Parliamentary Coordinator, 28 May 2024
