COSATU congratulates SADTU on a successful Congress

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) commends its Affiliate, the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) on a successful 10^th National Congress.

COSATU also congratulates the re-elected leadership, on another five-year term. The re-election of President Magope Maphila, Deputy President Mabutho Cele, General Secretary Mugwena Maluleke, Deputy General Secretary Nkosana Dolopi and other leaders, affirms the confidence that members of this vibrant union have in their leaders.

This vote of confidence comes at an opportune time as the sector faces serious challenges. For starters President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act in the second week of September but deferred the implementation of clauses that relate to school admissions and language policy, by three months to allow for more engagement. Ever militant, SADTU's Congress has rejected the deferment and demanded that the Act be implemented immediately in its entirety.

Importantly, the BELA Act sets out Grade R as a compulsory part of schooling. SADTU has welcomed this saying it will help ensure learners have a solid foundation as they embark on their school journey. However, making this a reality will require extra funding, which is ironic as government has already indicated plans to cut the Basic Education Department's budget. SADTU has resolved to mobilise society to reject government's misguided adherence to austerity as this will have a detrimental impact on our children's education. These budget cuts will also see the filling of teacher posts halted; this is completely unacceptable to SADTU as it will result in the worsening of the teacher to pupil ratio, lead to overcrowding and leave both teachers and pupils overwhelmed.

COSATU supports SADTU's stance unreservedly and pledges to amplify its Affiliate's mobilisation efforts starting 7 October, when members of all COSATU Affiliates will take to the streets to demonstrate their rejection of government's pursuit of austerity measures, rampant retrenchments in both the public and private sector, snail's pace at which the NPA is prosecuting those implicated in corruption, the ever rising cost of living, efforts to derail preparation for the implementation of the NHI, etc.

Issued by COSATU

Zanele Sabela (COSATU National Spokesperson)

Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639

Email: [email protected]