Volume 9, No.5 - December 2000

15 Years of Heroic Struggle

Messages from the unions

COSATU's fighting spirit lives on

By Matsobane Funky Komape, FAWU Assistant General Secretary The Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU) wish to take this opportunity to join hands with all the democratic and revolutionary forces in wishing the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), our mother body, a successful 15 years anniversary.

The formation of COSATU as the largest federation in South Africa on 2 December 1985 was a major breakthrough for the South African workers. COSATU was born at the height of repression when the African National Congress and other liberation forces were banned. The United Democratic Front and other progressive forces such as church organisations, student and women formations were operating under strict restrictions imposed by the apartheid regime.

Soon after her formation, COSATU became the nucleus of the liberation movement, taking up political issues and mobilising the masses as a worker representative. Today COSATU is probably the biggest labour federation in Africa, with strength that many trade unions around the world can only dream of.

At present the labour federation is facing massive retrenchments and job losses through globalisation and trade liberalisation. Despite these retrenchments and job losses, COSATU has managed to retain a high level of membership. This shows the federation's appeal to workers across the sectors and political spheres. This also remains a challenge COSATU has to deal with. COSATU has been a significant national centre in the past 15 years and continues to grow in leaps and bounds in different industries and sectors. We also wish to take the opportunity to reflect on our 15 fighting years and pay a special tribute to the heroes/heroines and martyrs of the National Democratic Revolution (NDR).

We remember stalwarts like Vuyisile Mini, Dorothy Makgalo, Elijah Barayi, Chief Albert Luthuli, Moses Kotane, Joe Slovo, Oliver Tambo, J.B Marks, Bram Fischer, Yusuf Dadoo, Chris Hani, Ruth First, Oscar Mpetha, Solomon Mahlangu, Dorothy Nyembe, and many others. We remember a time when COSATU first president comrade Elijah Barayi told PW Botha, the then state president to abolish the pass laws and gave him a six months ultimatum. Cde Barayi vigorously put pressure on the Botha regime and before the ultimatum expired the pass laws were replaced by the new identity documents used today.

Addressing a massive rally at the Johannesburg Stadium Cde Barayi told the workers to pass when being stopped by the police to check if they were in possession of 'Dompasses'. "You must pass and proceed to your destinations whenever they stop and say, 'pass' because they instruct you to do so." Cde Barayi also gave PW an ultimatum to release Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners from prison.

We also honour our leaders and comrades who continue to hold high the banner of our federation, in spite of detentions, banning of meetings and orchestrated police brutality against our leaders, shop stewards and officials. The attack on COSATU by the state took many forms. The vigilante groups and the South African Broadcasting Corporation played a puppet role in the form of media campaigns on behalf of the Pretoria regime, trying to discredit our role. During 1987, the SABC was used as a new dimension of state repression in response to the effectiveness of our strategies and perspectives .

The Apartheid regime also used its repressive legislation to criminalise our actions. COSATU devoted considerable resources during this period to fighting a propaganda war and correcting misinformation about our goals and methods. COSATU was an effective national opposition to the policies of the apartheid ruling class by linking her bread and butter issues with broad political questions.

COSATU was fighting side by side with other democratic organs of civil society to express political views of our members. Her ability to survive these years and her visible presence in the form of the worker leadership, shop stewards and officials made her a centre of attention in the past 15 years. COSATU and her affiliates managed to stop the reforms designed by capital, which were essentially concerned with maintaining the status quo.

COSATU's living wage campaign focused attention on the very basic questions such as better wages, housing and unemployment. COSATU, as the representative of organised labour, has been in the forefront in opposing both privatisation and deregulation. COSATU was built on a strong foundation of "one country one federation" and "one union one industry". The factory floor is our base.

FAWU was the first affiliate of COSATU to implement the policy of "one union one industry" by forming one big trade union giant in the food industry. We are proud to be part of COSATU and part of the congress tradition. In celebrating COSATU's 15 fighting years we call on all food workers to swell the ranks of FAWU. FAWU is the only hope and future of the food workers in South Africa. Join FAWU now and build one strong food union and one strong federation in South Africa.

We wish to take the opportunity to congratulate the newly elected COSATU leadership elected during the 7th National Congress held on 18-21 September 2000. In the history of our struggle all our leaders were elected unopposed and the conference debates were frank and open.

FAWU wish to make it known publicly that the attack on COSATU leadership is an attack on working masses and their families. We will defend our leadership and we shall spare no effort to call our members out on action against unjust attacks that are intended to discredit our federation.

We also call on all our people to go and vote for the ANC on 5 December to ensure that they put in place candidates of their choice who will deliver on their needs in the local government. Long live COSATU! Workers of the world unite! Long live 15 fighting years! Long live the spirit of no retreat - no surrender! Viva COSATU Viva!

 

NUM

Cosatu has always been a shelter for the working class

By George Molebatsi, NUM media spokesperson COSATU is the people's federation and a voice of the voiceless, not just for the workers but the whole South African society. The federation represents an ideological tower and a common will of the people.

There is definitely an ideological shift in the theatre of struggle and COSATU remains a beacon of hope for those fighting to defend the gains of the revolution and a fight against the vestiges of colonial rule. In the 15 years of its establishment COSATU has never wavered in its commitment to lead the workers and defend their rights. Creating a shelter for labour movement as a whole and uniting diverse groups of working people from mineworkers, police, nurses, teachers, the list is lengthy on and this is no mean achievement and probably unprecedented in the African continent.

The gains for the working people in particular and the democratic movement in general are legendary. These were achieved during the turbulent and violent years of racial hatred and debauchery in this country. The unholy alliance between capital and the racist created the most horrible epochs of our history. COSATU was born out of this period of repression.

The new constitution and the Bill Of Rights are monumental towers of achievement. The new labour laws have certainly created an environment of development for the workers and the poor. Business is grudgingly embracing and simultaneously sabotaging delivery processes and democratic advancement. The moguls of business are tragically claiming that they are also liberators of man, while doing the opposite The challenges facing this august body in the new millennium are enormous and quite daunting.

To navigate the Alliance politics with skill and determination while maintaining maximum unity of all progressive forces within and outside the tripartite body. It is extremely important to tilt the balance of power to the majority and defend the rights of ordinary citizens - the one particular quality that elevated the federation above the phantoms of imagination and political hypocrites and liberals whose sole interest is the protection of business and property rights.

The biggest challenge perhaps is the extension of democracy to all, not a handful of people and few lucky individuals lapping it up while the rest remain in dire poverty, to make sure that there is freedom that has been talked about and meant it all these terrible years. South Africa remains a mosaic of poverty and racism.

The broad general panorama has not changed and it is only the little spots of the proverbial leopard that are changing at a snail's space. Change must accelerate. The democratic government of the people must remain in power. More worker friendly legislation must remain at the top of our agenda. Power must never fall in the hands of the crazy racists and the 'new liberals' posing as liberators and martyrs of the new millennium.

The main challenge therefore for COSATU and the Alliance is to recreate the social base. This crucial constituency has been eroded and infiltrated in some cases by backward elements of society and criminals. Nobody talks about street committees anymore and order and discipline have crumbled at that very level of our communities. They formed a fulcrum upon which the liberation wheels turned and bore the brunt of the mad fury of 'our racist lords'. Viva COSATU!

 

PAWE

We might be 'new kids' on the block, but we are at least home at last

By Ramolao Makhene, PAWE President As the name itself explains, the Performing Arts Workers Equity (PAWE) is an organisation for actors and actresses. Many comrades watch our members performing daily on the televisions programmes such as Generations, Soul City, Isidingo, Emzini WeZinsizwa and various theatre and television productions daily.

Many of our comrades never thought of us entitled to acceptable working conditions and living wages. We are only known as entertainers. Today, as we celebrate COSATU's anniversary, our coming on board as the new affiliate from an unlikely sector marks one of many federation's victory since its existence. We still have long way to go and with assistance from COSATU we are confident of victory.

Our latest joining and attendance of our first National Congress of the country's largest federation make us "new kid" in the labour movement fraternity. The congress was certainly the most memorable event for us, not only because it was our first congress, but also because we felt that we had at least came home, after wandering alone in the "desert" for at least eight years as an independent union.

COSATU has always been an impressive organisation and has proved that it is a major force to be reckoned with in the country and internationally. COSATU's stance on economic issues and more recently on the HIV\Aids debate is strongly supported by PAWE. We certainly would like to become more involved in this issues particularly as our artist workers are amongst the poorest paid in this country and continue to suffer the effects of HIV/Aids.

We will forever stand by the idea that mooted the genesis of COSATU's "continuous engagement of the capitalist and the employers for the purpose of improving wages and the conditions of employment for its members and the rest of the working class." We are looking forward to building our relationship with COSATU and growing into string union within the federation.

Congratulations COSATU! Hoist the banner higher and higher! Amandla!

 

NEHAWU

From a project to a labour giant

The 1990 NEHAWU strike - a lesson in solidarity

By Moloantoa Molaba, NEHAWU media spokesperson

Our most precious memory of COSATU, on its 15th Anniversary, is that of a federation rooted in struggle, particularly solidarity with struggles led by affiliates. In 1990 NEHAWU embarked on a public service strike. At that time labour unions were not recognised in this country because of the Apartheid labour legislation.

So one of the key demands was a recognition agreement of NEHAWU. Those were difficult and bitter struggles. NEHAWU did not have enough money and proper infrastructure to carry us through a strike and this was coupled by the then hostile conditions under which we operated.

The then General Secretary of COSATU, Comrade Jay Naidoo, was at hand to assist. He attended strike-planning meetings and was one of the key strategists who together with other comrades gave inspired leadership that braved us through the strike. It was indeed a rare experience to find the General Secretary of the federation dedicating plenty of time and sacrifice joining a strike action on the ground. Given his presence and personal contribution, workers and worker leaders were confident of the legitimacy of the strike as an only option.

NEHAWU will always treasurer those moments. This remains a critical lesson that COSATU as a federation has a role to play beyond formal constitutional meetings of the federation. The federation can and should play, wherever possible, a direct role in consolidating worker solidarity and struggles led by individual affiliates.

NEHAWU as a COSATU Project

In 1989 at a COSATU CEC, it was resolved that NEHAWU was not to be regarded as a fully-fledged affiliate but a project of the federation. This meant COSATU was to do its level best to transform NEHAWU from its disorganised state into a proper union. As much as this resolution did not impress us, the union had to face the reality at that time.

The fact that we were not recognised by the state meant we had to rely on steady income from our membership in the public service -the situation that made it even difficult for the union to pay its affiliation fees to COSATU. We did not have enough funds to maintain a proper office infrastructure, let alone an adequate staff for the effective service provision to our members.

CONCLUSION

COSATU became a leading and most organised working class formation in South Africa and possibly Africa through struggle. It was founded and established under difficult social and political conditions in this country. From its very establishment it was guided by revolutionary theory and traditions. It centred on commitment to workers and an appreciation of the role of the working class in shaping the future of South Africa and humanity in general.

Now, under these difficult conditions of imperialist globalisation and retreat of the ANC from it s revolutionary mandate, it is time for COSATU to re-affirm its founding principles, its commitment to socialism and a realisation that neo-liberal restructuring of our country and of the world can be reversed through struggle in the streets, in policy formulation, and at the plant level.

COSATU is currently faced with immense challenges of ensuring unions are free from corrupt careerists elements who are not committed to the working-class agenda but self enrichment, sectarian and factional interests. Linked to this is the struggle to make COSATU unions improve service delivery to its members. There is a growing gap between unions and its members and it remains COSATU's challenge to ensure that affiliates overcome this fundamental challenge, lest this weakness that may ultimately affect the fighting ability of the federation.

NEHAWU would like to see a more active and interventionist COSATU. While we appreciate the autonomy and integrity of individual affiliates, we would like to see a more able and empowered COSATU shaping and guiding affiliates. COSATU still has to improve its technical capacity so that its role in leading the organised working-class struggles has more authoritative policy formulation and technical capacity.

 

SASBO

SASBO/COSATU link opened new horizons for both partners

SASBO applauds the South African Congress of Trade Unions' 15 years of achievement. Given the stark oppression, intimidation and exploitation COSATU's members had to overcome to establish themselves as the true voice of South African workers, their achievements and blossoming maturity have been remarkable.

Most SASBO members hail from a less traumatic labour background. Nevertheless, while their voiceless COSATU colleagues were suffering the slings and arrows of racial oppression, SASBO members made a significant contribution to the achievements of equal opportunity in the workplace.

From as far back as the late 1960s, when a non-racial workplace was and anathema to the apartheid regime, they gradually forged non-racial practices and equal opportunity in their industry, thereby creating a model for other industries to emulate.

Nevertheless, SASBO's 1995 decision to affiliate to COSATU still took labour analysts by surprise. Most had hitherto considered COSATU an unlikely home for the relatively affluent and comfortable finance workers. "The COSATU and SASBO leaders of that era must share the credit for this bold move," says Shaun Oelschig, who recently became only the 8th general secretary of the 82-year-old SASBO. "Their vision set the scene for an Alliance that can ultimately benefit all South African workers.

"The affiliation came about because SASBO members did not want to sit on the sidelines of the new South Africa and COSATU's leaders welcomed the expansion into the white-collar sector and voice in the finance industry that SASBO's affiliation would provide. "Neither party was so naïve as to expect the marriage to be a painless process. They realised that it would take time for the two ideologically different and fiercely independent worker bodies to find one another.

"But the real issue is not about COSATU or SASBO. It is about what our respective organisations - and all other COSATU affiliates, can do to add value to the circumstances of South African workers - and what we can all do to help the millions of South Africans still struggling to gain a foothold on the economic ladder. "Along with these overriding goals, SASBO members affiliated to COSATU for other reasons:

• To be part of the mainstream labour activity.
• To use their unique situation at the heartbeat of the global economy to help all South African workers to adapt to the challenges and opportunities of globalisation.
• To establish a bridgehead that will make it easier for other trade unions to join the COSATU fold, thereby strengthening labour's unity and influence.

"These remain SASBO objectives. With the help of the COSATU secretariat and our sister unions, we look forward to making the next COSATU anniversary an even more significant event".

 

15 years of Liberation Struggle

By Sam Mashinini, Northern Cape/Free State Regional secretary !

As the country's largest trade union movement celebrates its 15 years of worker struggle, it is with interest to look back at the achievements she brought to the country's political, labour and social transformation. This federation, as the member of the Alliance, played a very significant role in the bringing of a democratic government in this country. One could as well remember one of the revolutionary meetings in March 1986 when COSATU met with the ANC in Harare for talks on the future economic system and the role of the working class in the national liberation. Also included in the discussion was the release of comrade Nelson Mandela. This in a way really contributed to the current dispensation.

The federation has also always been in the forefront in the fight against unfair labour practices, since the years of apartheid to date. It has always been COSATU's believe that the workers, who contribute with every drop of blood from their system in the building of this country's economy, should be treated with respect and their right be protected in every way possible.

COSATU has also managed to bring to end the farm evictions that have been haunting the farming community - this should be attributed to the hard work and dedication from the federation's affiliates. COSATU's focus does not lie only on the betterment of the working sector conditions but also on the creation of employment for the multitude of the nation's jobless. That is why the federation played a key role in the formulation of the Reconstruction and Development Programme, which is still the only economic vehicle in bringing about economical change in this country.

COSATU has always showed interest in the fight for worker rights by creating the Job Creation Trust in order to address the current crisis of unemployment in the country. COSATU shall always live up to the expectations of its people, like it did 15 years ago, VIVA COSATU VIVA!

 

COSATU - the titan of the workers' struggle

By Bengeza Mthombeni, Deputy General Secretary, CEPPWAWU On behalf of the CEPPWAWU National Office Bearers and the entire membership, we would like to take this opportunity to salute COSATU on its 15th anniversary.

Indeed, workers of South Africa, the African continent and all over the world must be proud of this giant. COSATU continues and will continue playing a critical role in advancement of the workers' struggle in this country and throughout the world. COSATU remains not only the hope of the working class in this country but the giant that continues to echo the voice of the unemployed, retrenched and the exploited.

As CEPPWAWU, we will continue contributing to the strengthening of the federation to be the strong tool in the hands of the working class. The contestation of the future of our country and the outcome of the transformation project will require a strong and prepared federation, and we believe as CEPPWAWU that COSATU will be there to ensure that the future indeed belongs to the working people of our country.

Building unity among its affiliates has always been COSATU's priority, the best example of which should be the PPPWAWU/CWI merger which COSATU spearheaded - a move that symbolises the support given by this titan of the working people of South Africa. CEPPWAWU is thankful for this support. What separates COSATU from the rest is its belief in its members and in its principle of worker control. The challenges that lie ahead are complex and difficult but we have no doubt as CEPPWAWU that they will find a federation that is prepared to tackle them head on.

We must debunk the view that COSATU has lost its experienced leadership that went to Parliament. It should be clear that COSATU was never build around individuals but its membership, and therefore it will continue producing leaders of experience and dedication derived from the shopfloor. We are celebrating 15 years of unbroken unity in action and solidarity, and as CEPPWAWU we are confidant that COSATU will move from strength to strength.

Despite the threat of massive job losses, we are also confident that COSATU will find a way of ending this misery and suffering of the working people. As we celebrate this fifteen anniversary of this giant we must dedicate ourselves to continue with the struggle against poverty and deprivation of the working people and their communities. CEPPWAWU wishes COSATU all the best in its 15th anniversary. You have a dependable affiliate in CEPPWAWU! Halala COSATU Halala! Khula Ungakhokhobi !

Fantastic federation

By Freddie Mohai, General Secretary, SADNU For us, from the onset we were learners in COSATU and we found the federation to be a capable, willing and knowledgeable teacher. We have been fascinated by the culture of debates in activities like the Executive Committee and the Central Executive Committee meetings.

Our reception to the country's biggest federation was so fantastic that we felt to be at home instantly. The spirit of solidarity and comradeship that characterise the federation and affiliates overwhelmed us as we were inundated by invitations from affiliates to congresses and other activities. We must admit that we envy other affiliates and we feel that we'll need extensive orientation in order to find our feet in the federation.

The 7th COSATU National Congress was just out of this world. Barely two months into the federation, we could not believe it when we received news that we were entitled to seats at the congress as per provisions of the constitution. Ala! The organisation of the congress was from the top drawer - what a colourful event! It was as if the whole world has come to a standstill as COSATU took centre stage. The political and socio-economic debates were typical of COSATU.

The reports, for example, from the treasurer, secretariat, etc. were comprehensive and illustrated the professionalism and artistry of COSATU. Resolutions, political and socio-economic, just to name a few, were debated and adopted to clearly shape the future of COSATU and give mandates to the national office-bearers. Brushing shoulders with international comrades from political and labour spheres and listening to their revolutionary speeches were experiences not to be easily forgotten. The guest list would not be complete without the National Democratic Revolution, the leadership of the partners in the alliance (ANC and SACP), current Members of Parliament and MECs as well as former COSATU cadres.

We have been impressed and deeply touched by the commitment of COSATU to deepening the NDR and bringing of the Tripartite Alliance together. Convening task team meetings with the ANC, such as the five-a-side in order to settle differences, vigorously challenge positions that undermine the labour movement and threaten the Alliance, make compromises and come out with one position are efforts seek to strengthen the Alliance.

Undoubtedly COSATU is currently serving as a machinery to sway votes to the ANC and ensure an overwhelming win for the ANC at the local government elections. COSATU structures from local right through to national are having a coordinated programme to ensure a convincing win for the ANC.

The contribution of COSATU to the Nedlac is unchallengeable. COSATU's campaigns on job creation and fight against job losses have reaped enormous rewards. The federation has been vocal and militant in challenging key issues such as the Gear macroeconomic policy, unilateral amendment to the Labour Relations Act and most recently the salary increases for the MPs.

The COSATU CTC conference in Cuba is a clear indication that COSATU has become a force to reckon with internationally. Surely affiliates will establish international relations that will benefit them a lot, what a pity we couldn't be part of the delegation.

The experiences we as SADNU gather within COSATU make us feel guilty that we did not affiliate much earlier. We feel strongly that our affiliation was like home-coming. It's more a great pity that we command an insignificant membership of nurses. The majority of the nurses are still outside COSATU and it remains a challenge to the federation to organise nurses into COSATU. We endorse the adage that COSATU is the voice of the workers. COSATU is the future! Viva COSATU Viva!

Happy birthday, workers!

By Petrus Mashishi, President of SAMWU. On this, the 15th anniversary of COSATU, we need to say happy birthday to ourselves as workers, as it is a birthday for all of us.

The launch of COSATU united many different factions from different federations and different unions.If it was not for COSATU we would still have many splinter unions. The launch also helped to shape the political vision of the workers, as COSATU became a front against apartheid. For several years, COSATU remained the only organisational voice to articulate the aspirations of the working class.

The things we take for granted today were realised largely through the work of all of us in COSATU's early years, and often under terrible conditions, like the bombing of COSATU House and the arrests of trade unionists. One of the key early achievements of COSATU was the demand made by Cde Elijah Barayi at the first rally after the launch of the federation, where COSATU demanded the abolition of the pass system. This united all workers and was a victory when we were no longer restricted to moving around certain areas only.

When COSATU was launched, there was a cohesion that grew quickly between workers from different ideological backgrounds. There was solidarity among different unions that is lacking today. There was a spirit of cross-sector organising which has disappeared now, with unions being more concerned about boosting their own membership than organising for COSATU.

In those days, COSATU managed to intervene in unions that were not servicing their members. We need to revisit this approach today. When COSATU makes its next history video, about the period between 10 and 15 years, we need to ensure that we don't make use of unionists in the video who then sell us out - as was the case with the last history video, where yesterday's unionists are today's millionaires.

The people who were the most radical have turned now against the very same workers they were trying so hard to unite. Leaders of COSATU should use this anniversary to proclaim that they will never become "chameleons" such as our former leaders have become.

We need, on this anniversary, to look to the future. Today, workers face more problems than ever before. We need to re-intensify the solidarity that will make it possible to attack the deepening poverty facing workers, and the causes of poverty like retrenchments and privatisation.

COSATU is our shield

By Abbey Witbooi, Popcru General Secretary The Congress of South African Trade Unions has been a shield since our joining to this federation. Our affiliation happened after experiencing number of difficulties in regards to becoming a fully-fledged trade union as police, prisons and traffic officers.

For a long time our members were subjected into state propaganda with the effect of being isolated from the working class tradition and struggles.

We were used to fight and disrupt workers events, campaigns and marches. The apartheid regime did everything to make us feel not part of the 'noises' and interpreted workers' organisations and activities as a nuisance and lack of responsibility.

This propaganda made us different from those of us who work from factories and other working establishments. Although, we were a trade union we certainly did not see ourselves as workers, more as civilians who are loyal to the government.

Since our affiliation to COSATU we have had an opportunity to consider ourselves as public sector employees. This gave our members and opportunity to identify themselves as one significant force within the trade union movement. We are now part of the broader masses and belong to the rest of the South African working class.

We march and take active part in worker driven campaigns. Our specific role has been to campaign against crime, with the view to present the views of all other unions affiliated into our federation and this provided us with an opportunity to work in hand with communities.

COSATU is needed and have to be utilised in a proper and meaningful manner. This is our labour and political home. We need COSATU to teach and orientate our membership into the working class struggle and the role expected from them as state employees.

It is of great importance for the federation to shape our workers and prepare them for the meaningful participation in the transformation of state departments. This process needs our comrades to be politically sharp in their minds. In this way we would have maintained the federation's traditional role of empowering workers and shaping them for the battles ahead. This is necessary now that we all never taught of in the past.

Popcru is part of the celebration for our federation's anniversary. We remain committed to the advancement of the working class and are happy to be part of this tradition. Viva COSATU Viva!