Opinion

Workers’ Day 2026 arrives amid growing concern over the state of trade unions, as allegations of corruption, mismanagement and weak accountability erode trust. Once defenders of workers’ rights, some unions now face scrutiny, raising urgent questions about leadership, transparency and their role in protecting members.

When MP Adil Nchabeleng warned that South Africa may be spending R1.1 billion a day on debt servicing, Treasury’s calm response exposed a deeper crisis. While officials speak of stabilisation and forecasts, debt continues to crowd out schools, hospitals and infrastructure, with little accountability for the failures that caused it.

Forty years after igniting mass worker power, COSATU stands hollowed out. Once a militant shield and sword for labour, it has been absorbed into ANC politics, defending politicians while workers face unemployment and crisis. Its decline sparked breakaways like NUMSA and AMCU.

Selective media narratives are eroding trust and undermining Black excellence. Masibulele Gcilitshana argues that biased reporting, such as recent coverage of Premier Panyaza Lesufi during the G20 Summit, distorts progress and deepens division. True journalism should inform with balance, not provoke outrage.

Collen Mashawana embodies the spirit of Black Excellence. As a businessman, philanthropist and founder of the Collen Mashawana Foundation, he has transformed countless lives by providing opportunities in education, skills development and community upliftment.

Nkosana Makate’s fight against Vodacom reveals the quiet cruelty of South Africa’s justice system — a place where truth is measured in invoices. After decades of litigation, the inventor of “Please Call Me” faces a R13 million legal bill, showing how justice often favours those who can afford its price.