Media Statements

The African National Congress National Executive Committee (NEC) met and extended its profound and heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the movement to the Congress of South African Trade Unions as it marks four decades of unwavering service to the working class, the poor, and the oppressed. This milestone stands as a powerful testament to COSATU’s historic and continuing contribution to the pursuit of workers’ rights, social justice, and the deepening of our democracy.

From its inception, COSATU emerged as a revolutionary force confronting a brutal apartheid labour regime that subjected millions of black workers, Africans in particular, to indignity, exploitation, and unsafe working conditions. It stood firm against unjust laws that bent and broke the backs of workers who built this country with their sweat, skill and sacrifice. Through relentless struggle, COSATU restored dignity to workers and gave organised labour a decisive voice in shaping the direction of our society.

COSATU was born out of courageous engagements that unified fragmented unions into a single, disciplined, and principled federation committed to the National Democratic Revolution. Among its founding leadership were giants of our movement, including Elijah Barayi, John Gomomo, Alec Erwin and President Cyril Ramaphosa, whose collective vision and courage laid the foundations for a progressive labour movement in South Africa. Their work continues to echo through every workplace where workers enjoy rights, protections, and freedoms that were once denied to them.

Since its historic launch in 1985 and drawing inspiration from the mighty SACTU, which preceded it, COSATU has carried forward this revolutionary legacy forged in blood and struggle. It has united workers across sectors and regions, broken the chains of exploitation, and mobilised generations behind a common programme to dismantle oppression and advance economic and social justice.

Through the revolutionary alliance, the ANC and COSATU have fought side by side to defeat apartheid and build democracy in South Africa. They collectively contributed to labour laws protecting workers’ rights, to better wages and working conditions, and to a progressive Constitution that promotes fairness and equality for all workers.

The ANC salutes COSATU as it celebrates this significant anniversary. The ANC reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the shared struggle to transform South Africa, defend workers’ gains, and advance the fight for a prosperous society. The red banner of workers’ solidarity continues to fly high within our Alliance, reminding us that the freedom we enjoy today was won through blood, unity, discipline and revolutionary vigilance.

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