SADTU stands firm behind COSATU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi
5 June 2010
In the meeting of SADTUs National Executive Committee held at The Lakes Hotel in Benoni on Friday, 4 June 2010, the union further reiterated its support for COSATU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi who is facing disciplinary charges by the ANC for speaking out against corruption. The disciplinary action against Vavi is a declaration of war against the working class and all the members of COSATU. The workers will do everything in their power to defend the Federation and cde Vavi.
The workers of this country refuse to be intimidated by anyone and will fight back in order to teach those in the ANC who think they are father-organisation or father-members. The NEC rejects these types of tactics that seek to protect ill-disciplined people who hide behind the ANC to steal from the people of this country. SADTU remains committed to root out corruption and will expose, name and shame those who steal from the public whether they are members of the ANC, SACP, COSATU or SADTU.
On the threatening letters which have been sent to Vavi, we warn these cowards to come out and face the workers and they shall meet their challenge. The threat to sue Vavi is a declaration war and as members of COSATU, this is a war we are prepared to face. No individual can win over the people. The working class willl not be cowards or succumb to threats from anybody. We are standing firm behind our leader.
The NEC further resolved on the following:
- In light of strained relations within the Alliance, a special congress be convened to resolve on the question of the political centre and an Alliance Pact;
- Reject the 6,2% wage offer and demand that the employer meet the demand made by labour. We reject the R 600 housing allowance a paltry R100 more from the R500 currently being paid. This amount is an insult as it comes nowhere near the R 1 650 we are demanding;
- Conduct political schools throughout the provinces and regions in order to build a revolutionary and caring cadre that is going to take the revolution into their own hands and isolate the
tenderpreneurs and thugs within the struggle. - The organisation continues to grow on a monthly basis. More than 700 new members were signed up in Gauteng and Western Cape province in the first quarter of 2010.
- SADTU to lead in the campaign dealing with HIV and Aids awareness by working with SANAC to consult parents and students in our schools. This will tie in the SADTUs PPCT 0VC Campaign which provides counseling, testing and looks after vulnerable children and orphans.
This decision was taken after a sobering address to NEC members by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motswaledi. He made a passioned plea to SADTU to work and support the efforts of the South African National Aids Council (SANAC) to fight the scourge of HIV and Aids. He presented shocking statistics showing the escalation of the pandemic. “We want you to help us. Lets get out of the cocoon and stop behaving as if things are normal. We want a thorough consultation and believe SADTU will help us in this. A teacher has a bigger sphere of influence,” he pleaded.
The NEC also expressed its full support for the 1GOAL Education for All Campaign. The Campaign, operating in 120 countries aims to build massive support for Education for All and to draw the attention of world leaders to the plight. It is therefore going to use the biggest public event the Soccer World Cup to highlight this. SADTU President Thobile Ntola with Vavi will address the march to the Constitution Hill on Thursday, 10 June to present a memorandum to Education Minister Angie Motshekga.
ISSUED BY: SADTU Secretariat