The Congress of South Africans Trade Union (COSATU) statement on the African National Congress (ANC)’s Manifesto Launch
25 February 2024
COSATU congratulates the ANC on an overwhelmingly successful manifesto launch at Moses Mabhida Stadium, eThekwini yesterday.
The Federation is pained by the tragic loss of 9 ANC supporters and 10 who remain in critical care at hospital following a traffic accident in Vryheid en route home from the rally. We wish their families strength during this difficult time and a speedy recovery to those injured.
We are heartened by the positive turnout which saw not only the Stadium filled to capacity but also the overflow venue next to it. COSATU and its Affiliates crisscrossed KwaZulu-Natal engaging workers, listening to their hopes and frustrations, reporting back to them on what the ANC led government has managed to achieve and what is our mandate to the ANC for the 7th administration.
We are humbled by the excitement and faith workers have placed not only in COSATU but also the ANC. This is a trust we dare not disappointment.
The Manifesto is a product of robust engagements between the ANC and its Alliance partners, discussions with progressive civil society and an honest assessment of the successes and setbacks of the thirty years of democracy.
It provides a sober and bold path for the next term, that if implemented can see the challenges of unemployment, loadshedding, crime and corruption, poverty and inequality overcome. The Manifesto is anchored upon an aggressive programme of investing in our industrial sectors and supporting locally produced goods, fixing our State-Owned Enterprises and municipalities, creating employment opportunities to help young people earn the skills and experiences to find work, rebuilding quality public and municipal services, and ramping up the fight against crime and corruption.
It is a progressive Manifesto, that if successfully implemented, will see the renewal of South Africa and a better life for millions of working-class families.
COSATU will be intensifying its campaigns across all workplaces engaging and mobilising workers, from clothing factories in Salt River to tea plantations in Tzaneen, from wine farms in Upington to motor plants in Buffalo City, from schools in Soweto to sugar mills in Tongaat, from the mines of Rustenburg to municipal workers in Matjhabeng and Eskom employees in Komati.
The ANC, with all of its challenges, is a product of decades of workers’ struggles. South Africa has made great strides under its leadership before and after 1994 and will continue to do so post the 2024 elections.
Statement issued by Matthew Parks, COSATU Acting National Spokesperson & Parliamentary Coordinator, 25 February 2024
