SADTU FREE STATE MEDIA STATEMENT POST THE ELECTIVE PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) in Free State held its successful 3rd Quadrennial Provincial Conference on 22 – 24 April 2026 in Parys, at Woodlands Country Lodge convened under the conference theme, “Mobilising the consciousness and uniting revolutionary professionals in strengthening foundational learning and functional skills, to advance inclusive and sustainable economic growth in pursuance of a socialist society,”.
The Conference was attended by 155 voting delegates, National Office Bearers led by the President, Cde Magope Maphila, and received messages of support from all Alliance Partners, ANC, SACP, COSATU and SANCO, SASCO, Student Chapter, Lesotho Association of Teachers (LAT), and SACE. Written messages were received from PELRC, CCPFSP and Swedish Teachers’ Union, Sveriges Lärare in Luleå (formerly Lärarförbundet).
The Conference was convened in a significant year marked by the Union’s Provincial Conferences across all the 9 provinces, SADTU Special National Congress, COSATU National Congress, and the Local Government Elections, honoured in memory of the founding President of our Union, Cde Membathisi Shepherd Mdladlana, who passed in October 2024 and the founding General Secretary, Cde Randal Paul Zachariaden van den Heever in December 2024.
The delegates to the 3rd Quadrennial Provincial Conference, reaffirm and reassert the strategic direction and guiding vision of the Union as adopted at the 10th National Congress. As delegates we committed ourselves to advancing the Congress theme as a clarion call to deepen organisational unity for the transformation of education and dedicated ourselves to the development of an education system that is fully accessible, equal and qualitative, free of apartheid legacy and which is just expression of the will of the people, as enshrined in the Constitution of the country.
Over the three days the Conference deliberated on persistent challenges including infrastructure backlogs, overcrowded classrooms, unsafe learning environments, and the increasing commodification of education as clear expressions of an ongoing struggle.
We met in the 3rd Quadrennial Conference having noted that the province has declined in performance in the 2025 matric results. Despite the decline Free State remains the highest to have achieved 91% and ranked 1st nationally in the 2024 matric results.
As delegates to this 3rd Quadrennial Provincial Conference, we paid particular attention to gender-based violence that is on a rapid increase, crippling the province and country in general and the schooling sector.
The Conference also noted the growing number of qualified education graduates who remain unemployed while classrooms remain overcrowded, with teacher-to-learner ratios exceeding acceptable criteria.
We reaffirmed our commitment to servicing our members in the vulnerable education sub-sectors such as the TVET/CET lecturers, ECD practitioners, Education Support Personnel and Office Based Education Personnel. The Union advocates for the professionalization, formal employment, and improved compensation of Early Childhood Development (ECD) practitioners and welcomed their integration into the mainstream education system which needs to be urgently implemented.
The Conference noted the release of the Draft History Curriculum for Grades 4 to 12 for public comments as a progressive and timely intervention in strengthening the education system. The union has long advocated for the decolonisation of education and the History curriculum. For far too long, History in South Africa has been taught from a colonial, Eurocentric perspective while ignoring the Afrocentric perspective. We believe the Draft History Curriculum is a step towards addressing this imbalance.
As delegates we say no to exorbitant GEMS increases because GEMS has abandoned its mandate to provide affordable, solidarity-based healthcare, especially for lower and middle-income public servants.
We reaffirm our support to a progressive Journal of South African Democratic Teachers Union (JSADTU) which has been officially accredited by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) indexed under Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ).
Delegates to this 3rd Quadrennial Provincial Conference, reaffirmed the support to SADTU Student Chapter (SSC) as a recruitment wheel for young emerging educators in the institutions of higher learning.
As delegates we will continue to support and fully participate in progressive initiatives of the union, such as SADTU Television (social media platforms), SADTU SACCO and I AM A SCHOOL FAN CAMPAIGN.
To this effect the Conference reaffirmed and committed to fully implement the NGC resolution that compel all leaders to be members of SADTU SACCO, and ensure that the “I AM A SCHOOL FAN” campaign is launched and implemented in all branches as matter of urgency.
The Conference also met as we face tough economic conditions for the country and its citizens. The cost of living is rapidly rising and many simply cannot guarantee a proper meal for their families.
The Conference called for the building of strong fronts to defend decolonized quality public education and intensify resistance against austerity measures and the erosion of the sector.
We reaffirmed our active support and participation in the “Go Public! Fund Education” campaign, a global initiative launched by Education International (EI) to address funding crises in public education. The Union uses this campaign to fight against budget cuts, neoliberal policies, and austerity measures that have led to overcrowded classrooms, deteriorating infrastructure, and increased teacher burnout.
We stand on the threshold of the most challenging period wherein SACP resolved to contest the upcoming local government elections independently.
As delegates we reiterate that amid alliance dynamics, SADTU must not be forced to choose sides rather must be able to influence policy direction, while safeguarding its autonomy and progressive ideological posture.
The Conference emphasised that the union does not engage the National Democratic Revolution (NDR) as a theoretical concept, but as a lived reality reflected in the daily conditions of South Africa’s public schooling system.
The Conference met in the month when we commemorate the cowardly murder of Chris Hani. Cde Hani was a disciplined, loyal and dedicated cadre of the movement whose life was cut short when he still had so much to give to this country.
As delegates to the 3rd Provincial Conference, we remain committed to internationalism, and we support the struggles for national self-determination and a multilateral approach to the management of global issues.
The Conference noted with grave concern that there is a rupture in geopolitics, where great powers operate with impunity, without restraint and with this dominance, weaker nations are subjugated to their will.
As delegates we reiterate our solidarity with the people of Palestine and support the isolation of businesses in the UN List that operate in the occupied territories in Palestine.
We advocate for the self-determination, freedom and independence of Western Sahara. We support the call by Cuba for the return of Guantanamo Bay and the lifting of the USA economic embargo against Cuba.
We condemn the USA attack on Venezuela and the abduction of President Maduro, as well as the restriction of South Africa from participating in the upcoming 2026 G20 Summit and G7 Summit.
We condemn the USA and Israel attack on Iran and the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Conference closed with great responsibility upon its shoulders, individually and collectively to deepen organisational unity for the transformation of education and dedicated to the development of an education system which is fully accessible, equal and qualitative, free of apartheid legacy and is the just expression of the will of the people, as enshrined in the Constitution of the country.
The Conference elected leaders as follows:
Provincial Chairperson : Gape Legopo
Deputy Chairperson : Phildah Ngesi
Provincial Secretary : Mokholoane Moloi
Deputy Secretary : Nthabiseng Phalole
Provincial Treasurer : Kennedy Khantwane
Education Convenor : Pheello Matlebe
Gender Convenor : Jeanet Khanye
Sport, arts and culture convener : Maseabata Leoka