Cosatu Mpumalanga Freedom Day 26-04-08

 

COSATU MPUMALANGA'S MESSAGE OF SUPPORT ON THE OCCASION OF THE FREEDOM DAY CELEBRATION IN GERT SIBANDE DISTRICT 2008

27 APRIL 2008

The Congress of South African Trade Unions in Mpumalanga takes this opportunity to pay tribute to the Heroes and Heroines who sacrifices their precious lives to fight and struggle for the freedom we are enjoying today. We pay tribute and recognize above all those who died in exile defying the evil system of apartheid so that we could enjoy the benefits of freedom.

We regret that as we celebrate this Freedom Day in 2008 , we are celebrating this day in the wake of one of the worst capitalist assault on the already unacceptable living standards of the workers and the poor in the country . The current assault seriously threatens to erode the many modest gains made by our revolution since 1994.

In the recent past , we have seen an increased onslaught on the quality of life of many South Africans which is characterised by the following

 

· Exorbitant food prices compounded by the immoral act of price fixing.

· A rise in price of fuel

· A public health system in crisis ,

· Electricity pricing and energy crisis

· Inflation targeting and high interest rates

· Unacceptable living and working conditions for farm workers.

COSATU have declared that the month of April and beyond will be months of mass action against this capitalist onslaught . We call upon the communities , the Mass Democratic Movement and the Alliance to join our members on the streets as they demonstrate, picket and lead mass struggles on the ground against the brutality of capitalism .

April month is also the Heroes month in South Africa , Cde Chris Hani was cowardly assassinated on this month . We continue to be inspired by his words when he said.

"Socialism is not about big concepts and heavy theory . Socialism is about decent shelter for those who are homeless , it is about water for those who have no safe drinking water , it is about health care , it is about a life of dignity for the old , it is about overcoming the huge divide between urban and rural areas , it is about education for all our people .Socialism is about rolling back the tyranny of the market . As long as there are people and families who goes to bed without food the case for Socialism will exist".

We wish you a successful Freedom Day Celebration