Mbalula lauds COSATU's 40 years of uniting South Africa's working class

Despite long-standing and recent ideological differences between the ANC and its alliance partners, ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has commended the Congress of the South African Trade Unions (COSATU) for uniting the country’s working class for over 40 years. Mbalula delivered a keynote address at the trade union’s 40th anniversary gala dinner event in Soweto on Friday evening. “Forty years ago, in 1985, COSATU emerged as a beacon of hope during one of the darkest chapters in South Africa’s history. Born in the height of apartheid repression, COSATU united workers across industries and regions under a common vision; to dismantle apartheid tyranny and realise economic and social justice for all, while rallying workers behind the national democratic revolution,” Mbalula said. The gala event on Friday is a precursor of the official 40th celebrations set for the Dobsonville Stadium, where the party will mark on Saturday four decades of workers’ rights and social justice advocacy. Mbalula further commended COSATU for its role in the tripartite alliance alongside the ANC and the SACP, which has paved the way for democratic revolution in the country. He said principled and honest criticism between and within the alliance should be welcomed only if it reflects the understanding of the historical context of the alliance. “Our criticism must be principled and informed. Because our revolution is shaped by a common understanding of us all. We must always approach this alliance with its historical context. This requires constant renewal and a shared commitment to the principles that brought us together," he stated. The anniversary celebrations come just as the ANC recently held a bilateral meeting to discuss, among other things, the ANC Economic Action Plan, as well as the state of the alliance and the National Democratic Revolution and the preparations for the 2026 local elections. COSATU President Zingiswa Losi took the stage to reflect on the organisation's rich history, which began with the momentous Mineworkers’ Strike of 1987. She expressed profound gratitude for COSATU’s perseverance in sustaining the liberation movement during a time when the ANC was banned and for fortifying the Mass Democratic Movement, which saw workers becoming the backbone of South Africa's transformative journey to democracy. “Tonight marks a historic moment. Our journey marks a historic moment. COSATU’s 40th anniversary is that of a giant that was born on the 4th of December 1985,” she proclaimed. “Tonight marks a historic moment. Our journey marks a historic moment. COSATU’s 40th anniversary is that of a giant that was born on the 4th of December 1985. We will be celebrating 40 years at Dobsonville Stadium on the 6th of December. This anniversary is not just any celebration. It is a celebration of the return of the spirit that was ignited in 1985 when workers gathered under the state of emergency to build the most powerful labour movement,” she said. Losi remembered the fight for women's representation on the federation’s logo when it was designed without reflecting the contribution of women, saying: “There is a story that perfectly captures their spirit. When COSATU was launched in 1985, the first draft of the Federation’s logo was circulated. It showed men – strong, proud, marching workers – but not a single woman.”