COSATU+statement+on+the+ANC+NGC



=COSATU statement on the ANC NGC=

July 4, 2005
The Congress of South African Trade Unions congratulates the African National Congress on its National General Council (NGC) meeting. COSATU feels that the NGC has vindicated its own stance on the following important issues: COSATU national congresses have been correct to insist that the tripartite alliance between COSATU, ANC and SACP must be strengthened. Our revolution and transformation entirely depends on this unique weapon of the South African revolution! The NGC underlined the relevance of the alliance and helped to put it at the center of the transformation process; The NGC reaffirmed that the ANC is a progressive formation that is left in character. The ANC underlined its historic bias towards the working class (workers and the poor) by adopting exceedingly progressive and pro working class political, economic and social policies. It rejected the ‘two-tier labour market’, which would plunge thousands more workers into poverty and insecurity; The ANC brutally reaffirmed that it is a vibrant, democratic mass party where real power resides with the members through their branches and other structures. As the broad church that unites all those opposed to apartheid, the ANC is tolerant of different views, but at the end the core of its constituency – the working class - always prevails. The ANC endorsed COSATU’s view on the ANC deputy president – that he is innocent until proved guilty and should be supported by the democratic movement, and that he must continue with all his duties as ANC Deputy President. In this context the COSATU CEC has called on its affiliates and members to contribute financially to help the ANC Deputy President defend himself in court. Accordingly we wish to announce the details of the count as follows: Umsholozi Family Trust, Standard Bank Pietermaritzburg, serial number 001, account number 258597380. COSATU fully backs President Mbeki’s call for unity behind all the decisions of the NGC. Clearly the Deputy President saga threatened that unity. That matter is now behind us. We need to see the ANC in action – implementing the decisions of the NGC and preparing for the local government elections. COSATU also endorses totally the President’s call to intensify the battle against corruption and will work closely with government to expose any form of corruption.

Congress of South African Trade Unions 1-5 Leyds Cnr Biccard Streets Braamfontein, 2017 P.O.Box 1019 Johannesburg, 2000 South Africa Cell: 082 491 1591 Tel: +27 11 339-4911/24 Fax: +27 11 339-5080/6940 E-Mail: paul@cosatu.org.za**
 * Paul Notyhawa (Spokesperson)