Date: 25/08/2003
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: Satawu congress
ADDRESS BY DEPUTY PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA, ON THE OCCASION OF THE 1st CONGRESS OF SATAWU, Esselen Park Training Centre, Kempton Park, Monday, 25 August 2003
The President of Satawu, Cde Ezrom Mabanye
The President of Cosatu, Cde Willie Madisha
The General Secretary of Cosatu, Cde Zwelinzima Vavi
The Secretary General of Satawu, Cde Randall Howard
The Minister of Transport, Cde Dullah Omar
General Secretary of the International Transport Federation, Cde David Cockroft
General Secretary of the South African Communist Party, Cde Blade Nzimande
Comrades deployed on the shopfloors and the trenches of the struggle,
It gives me great pleasure to be present at your first, full congress as you meet under the theme, "Socialism the vision; Working Class the Force; Globalise: Solidarity".
It was indeed a historic day in May 2002 when you launched the amalgamated union, Satawu. I felt both proud and privileged to be present at that momentous occasion when the workers of this union celebrated the forging of unity and common objectives.
Today your objective is to consolidate the organisational gains of the last three years and to give further impetus to unifying the three economic sectors that your union consists of.
I am sure your discussions on your organisational review; your assessments of where and how things are in South Africa and the world will be fruitful.
Comrades, today you are also meeting at a critical and historical juncture for a number of reasons.
As all of us are aware, next month Cosatu will be holding its 8th national congress. Next April will also usher in a decade of freedom and democratic rule. While it might seem we have travelled a long way, comrades, in governance terms it is a short period given the challenges we face and the legacy we have inherited.
This is even more demonstrated on the economic front and the high levels of inequality and lack of skills.
Despite some of these obstacles, we have a lot to be proud of in terms of consolidating our democracy and our unsurpassed record of delivery since 1994, which speaks for itself.
Let me at the outset thank you for your continued support as Satawu and Cosatu when we enter the elections next year to seek another five-year term from our people, based, of course, on an overwhelming victory.
We know that this will only be possible with the continued support of the working class, urban and rural, as the most determined and consistent class in the fight to continuously make a better life for all a reality for the majority and to lessen poverty on a daily basis.
In this manner we will also strengthen the alliance as the foremost weapon we have at our disposal to deepen the national democratic revolution and to continue on the path of ensuring that South Africa becomes a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society in every respect as outlined in the Freedom Charter and our Constitution.
Let us remind ourselves again of the words of that giant of our liberation struggle, Chief Luthuli when he said in reference to the alliance that the relationship between the ANC and the trade union movement is equivalent to that of the "spear and shield of a warrior".
Armed with these essential and powerful weapons, our two organisations in our revolutionary alliance are destined to defeat negativity and counter-revolutionary tendencies, and reach our stated objectives in the period ahead, just as we managed to defeat the apartheid dragon, when so many said it was impossible to do so.
Comrades, last Wednesday we also celebrated 20 years of the UDF. The UDF was a critical element in bringing about unity in our ranks and to ensure we reached 27 April 1994.
The workers played an absolutely central role in the mobilisation of our people on the factory floor and in the communities with stay-aways and the various boycotts of the time.
Workers gave practical expression to the dialectical nature of the national and class struggle, which are still essential today as we seek to deepen the national democratic revolution.
I am also aware that you have had problems with the consolidation of your unity process as is inevitable.
What you cannot afford, however, is to blunt the most powerful weapon at your disposal, namely the unity and collective strength of the workers of Satawu.
On this matter, comrades, can I appeal to you not to compromise at all. When problems occur, work through them and settle them maturely and move forward, for the unity of the working class is the only instrument that guarantees strategic victories of the working people.
Comrades, we are currently experiencing a slowdown in the world economy. South Africa has managed to steer clear of most of the negatives of this bleak economic situation. We have had the most sustained and continuous growth period in the history of our country and ensured that we continue to improve the quality of lives of our people. Globalisation has also not made things easy, given some of its aspects, which do not impact positively on the developing countries and the poor people in the world.
We have been at the forefront to confront and engage the negatives of this phenomenon at global forums like the UN, G8, WTO and all other multi-lateral institutions.
We want to ensure that the benefits accrue equally across the globe and that poverty does not deepen in the developing world, as it already seems.
This brings us to the issue that most agree is the most critical matter confronting all of us at this juncture, namely unemployment. We need to apply our minds creatively and collectively on how to ensure that more job seekers are absorbed each year as they enter the labour market.
We also need to improve the skills level of workers, especially those in vulnerable sectors including within the transport sector. Comrades, we are all aware that this is a major issue and that we have to deal decisively with it as we have tried to do since we came to power in 1994.
While Statistics SA shows that there has been a turnaround in the number of jobs created, but it evident that apartheid South Africa left us all much more to do on this major challenge. The ANC conference committed itself last year to halve the rate by 2015.
Compatriots, on 7 June we also had the Growth and Development Summit to look at the matter of growth and development collectively as all the key sectors of society. This was an outflow from the successful Alliance Summit we had in Ekurhuleni.
The matter of how to retain and create new jobs received extensive attention in the run up to the Growth Summit as reflected in the detailed section on employment in the final summit declaration.
What is required, amongst others, is a rigorous follow up and monitoring on these issues to ensure they are implemented. Business and government also agreed to register at least 72 000 unemployed learners in learnerships by May 2004.
These are the kind of concrete interventions we think should be replicated by other sectors. As Government we think we should target key skills like train driving, railway engineering, air traffic control and tug pilots in these learnerships.
We will also continue to pay close attention to the investment instruments and measures needed to enable constituencies working towards investing 5% of their investible income in growth and job-creating investments.
Another matter we must take up seriously is what we must do to ensure decent work and deal with the increasing problem of casualisation and its negative impact on workers.
We are encouraged that Satawu remains very active in the various SETAs working in its sectors. We share the frustration of many workers who feel that many employers should invest more than the 1% to the skills levy fund. We agree with the research that points out that companies should spend more on training if there is to be adequate economic growth.
What we can state categorically is that this government is absolutely committed to ensuring that employment creation receives priority. As you could see from our recent Cabinet Lekgotla, much emphasis was placed on infrastructure development, especially in the transport sector, both for economic development purposes as well as for job creation purposes.
We are also accelerating our plans around skills development, as it is one area that can make an immediate difference to workers skills level and chances of better employment as well as retaining their jobs. This matter will also feature prominently in our manifesto preparations where Cosatu is represented.
With this all round commitment to make things work, I foresee no problem why remaining items would not be satisfactorily addressed and resolved.
One of the other issues on which I believe there has been complete convergence is that of the current round of trade talks, following the Uraguay Round that will culminate in the Cancun Trade Summit next month. We are absolutely committed to fair rules and regulations for the developing world, and to ensure that development tops the agenda.
Indications at this stage from our negotiators are that there are serious problems, but we will stick firmly to our positions. In this era of globalisation, we will continue to advance the developmental agenda of the developing nations together with other developing nations. In this we will also continue to stress the importance of multilateralism in resolving the problems of the world fairly and justly and to the satisfaction of the nations of the world.
Comrades, one of the issues that are of grave concern to all of us is the matter of HIV/AIDS. Some of your members, especially those on the roads are particularly vulnerable to the disease.
Government through the departments of transport and health for example has introduced various measures to focus on this sector. We agree that some of the existing programmes should be intensified. Just last Monday; the department of Health introduced new measures for the transport sector to counter this scourge.
We are heartened that Satawu is an active participant in a national tripartite programme focusing on HIV and AIDS in the transport sector, with a major focus on the trucking industry where AIDS is known to be highly prevalent.
We are also very happy to see that you are active in the implementation of Transnet's comprehensive HIV and AIDS programme, which includes providing access to counselling and treatment.
Comrades, let me return to the matter of the alliance. This alliance was formed in the blood and sacrifices of the oppressed of this country to bring about our liberation. National oppression has ended, but the tasks of the national democratic revolution remain and it must be deepened in the years ahead.
Fellow South Africans, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the poor and the majority of our citizens who continue to support and put their faith and trust in the alliance.
We dare not fail them by being divisive and disunited as we continue to transform our society into a just, equal and fair one where the dignity and rights of all its citizens are respected.
Let us focus on what unites us and where differences emerge, work through them collectively and decisively. We must always remember that this alliance is the only revolutionary entity, with a clear and scientific programme to take the country to its final objective.
In conclusion, I want to commend you for the comrades you are honouring for their commitment to the cause of this union and the trade union movement in general.
May this serve as a reminder to the younger generation how liberation was attained through the sacrifices of others, as we continue the transformation process of our beloved country, Africa and the world.
I wish you well in your deliberations over the next few days and look forward to your final decisions and resolutions.
I thank you.
Amandla!
Issued by The Presidency
25 August 2003
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: Satawu congress
ADDRESS BY DEPUTY PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA, ON THE OCCASION OF THE 1st CONGRESS OF SATAWU, Esselen Park Training Centre, Kempton Park, Monday, 25 August 2003
The President of Satawu, Cde Ezrom Mabanye
The President of Cosatu, Cde Willie Madisha
The General Secretary of Cosatu, Cde Zwelinzima Vavi
The Secretary General of Satawu, Cde Randall Howard
The Minister of Transport, Cde Dullah Omar
General Secretary of the International Transport Federation, Cde David Cockroft
General Secretary of the South African Communist Party, Cde Blade Nzimande
Comrades deployed on the shopfloors and the trenches of the struggle,
It gives me great pleasure to be present at your first, full congress as you meet under the theme, "Socialism the vision; Working Class the Force; Globalise: Solidarity".
It was indeed a historic day in May 2002 when you launched the amalgamated union, Satawu. I felt both proud and privileged to be present at that momentous occasion when the workers of this union celebrated the forging of unity and common objectives.
Today your objective is to consolidate the organisational gains of the last three years and to give further impetus to unifying the three economic sectors that your union consists of.
I am sure your discussions on your organisational review; your assessments of where and how things are in South Africa and the world will be fruitful.
Comrades, today you are also meeting at a critical and historical juncture for a number of reasons.
As all of us are aware, next month Cosatu will be holding its 8th national congress. Next April will also usher in a decade of freedom and democratic rule. While it might seem we have travelled a long way, comrades, in governance terms it is a short period given the challenges we face and the legacy we have inherited.
This is even more demonstrated on the economic front and the high levels of inequality and lack of skills.
Despite some of these obstacles, we have a lot to be proud of in terms of consolidating our democracy and our unsurpassed record of delivery since 1994, which speaks for itself.
Let me at the outset thank you for your continued support as Satawu and Cosatu when we enter the elections next year to seek another five-year term from our people, based, of course, on an overwhelming victory.
We know that this will only be possible with the continued support of the working class, urban and rural, as the most determined and consistent class in the fight to continuously make a better life for all a reality for the majority and to lessen poverty on a daily basis.
In this manner we will also strengthen the alliance as the foremost weapon we have at our disposal to deepen the national democratic revolution and to continue on the path of ensuring that South Africa becomes a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society in every respect as outlined in the Freedom Charter and our Constitution.
Let us remind ourselves again of the words of that giant of our liberation struggle, Chief Luthuli when he said in reference to the alliance that the relationship between the ANC and the trade union movement is equivalent to that of the "spear and shield of a warrior".
Armed with these essential and powerful weapons, our two organisations in our revolutionary alliance are destined to defeat negativity and counter-revolutionary tendencies, and reach our stated objectives in the period ahead, just as we managed to defeat the apartheid dragon, when so many said it was impossible to do so.
Comrades, last Wednesday we also celebrated 20 years of the UDF. The UDF was a critical element in bringing about unity in our ranks and to ensure we reached 27 April 1994.
The workers played an absolutely central role in the mobilisation of our people on the factory floor and in the communities with stay-aways and the various boycotts of the time.
Workers gave practical expression to the dialectical nature of the national and class struggle, which are still essential today as we seek to deepen the national democratic revolution.
I am also aware that you have had problems with the consolidation of your unity process as is inevitable.
What you cannot afford, however, is to blunt the most powerful weapon at your disposal, namely the unity and collective strength of the workers of Satawu.
On this matter, comrades, can I appeal to you not to compromise at all. When problems occur, work through them and settle them maturely and move forward, for the unity of the working class is the only instrument that guarantees strategic victories of the working people.
Comrades, we are currently experiencing a slowdown in the world economy. South Africa has managed to steer clear of most of the negatives of this bleak economic situation. We have had the most sustained and continuous growth period in the history of our country and ensured that we continue to improve the quality of lives of our people. Globalisation has also not made things easy, given some of its aspects, which do not impact positively on the developing countries and the poor people in the world.
We have been at the forefront to confront and engage the negatives of this phenomenon at global forums like the UN, G8, WTO and all other multi-lateral institutions.
We want to ensure that the benefits accrue equally across the globe and that poverty does not deepen in the developing world, as it already seems.
This brings us to the issue that most agree is the most critical matter confronting all of us at this juncture, namely unemployment. We need to apply our minds creatively and collectively on how to ensure that more job seekers are absorbed each year as they enter the labour market.
We also need to improve the skills level of workers, especially those in vulnerable sectors including within the transport sector. Comrades, we are all aware that this is a major issue and that we have to deal decisively with it as we have tried to do since we came to power in 1994.
While Statistics SA shows that there has been a turnaround in the number of jobs created, but it evident that apartheid South Africa left us all much more to do on this major challenge. The ANC conference committed itself last year to halve the rate by 2015.
Compatriots, on 7 June we also had the Growth and Development Summit to look at the matter of growth and development collectively as all the key sectors of society. This was an outflow from the successful Alliance Summit we had in Ekurhuleni.
The matter of how to retain and create new jobs received extensive attention in the run up to the Growth Summit as reflected in the detailed section on employment in the final summit declaration.
What is required, amongst others, is a rigorous follow up and monitoring on these issues to ensure they are implemented. Business and government also agreed to register at least 72 000 unemployed learners in learnerships by May 2004.
These are the kind of concrete interventions we think should be replicated by other sectors. As Government we think we should target key skills like train driving, railway engineering, air traffic control and tug pilots in these learnerships.
We will also continue to pay close attention to the investment instruments and measures needed to enable constituencies working towards investing 5% of their investible income in growth and job-creating investments.
Another matter we must take up seriously is what we must do to ensure decent work and deal with the increasing problem of casualisation and its negative impact on workers.
We are encouraged that Satawu remains very active in the various SETAs working in its sectors. We share the frustration of many workers who feel that many employers should invest more than the 1% to the skills levy fund. We agree with the research that points out that companies should spend more on training if there is to be adequate economic growth.
What we can state categorically is that this government is absolutely committed to ensuring that employment creation receives priority. As you could see from our recent Cabinet Lekgotla, much emphasis was placed on infrastructure development, especially in the transport sector, both for economic development purposes as well as for job creation purposes.
We are also accelerating our plans around skills development, as it is one area that can make an immediate difference to workers skills level and chances of better employment as well as retaining their jobs. This matter will also feature prominently in our manifesto preparations where Cosatu is represented.
With this all round commitment to make things work, I foresee no problem why remaining items would not be satisfactorily addressed and resolved.
One of the other issues on which I believe there has been complete convergence is that of the current round of trade talks, following the Uraguay Round that will culminate in the Cancun Trade Summit next month. We are absolutely committed to fair rules and regulations for the developing world, and to ensure that development tops the agenda.
Indications at this stage from our negotiators are that there are serious problems, but we will stick firmly to our positions. In this era of globalisation, we will continue to advance the developmental agenda of the developing nations together with other developing nations. In this we will also continue to stress the importance of multilateralism in resolving the problems of the world fairly and justly and to the satisfaction of the nations of the world.
Comrades, one of the issues that are of grave concern to all of us is the matter of HIV/AIDS. Some of your members, especially those on the roads are particularly vulnerable to the disease.
Government through the departments of transport and health for example has introduced various measures to focus on this sector. We agree that some of the existing programmes should be intensified. Just last Monday; the department of Health introduced new measures for the transport sector to counter this scourge.
We are heartened that Satawu is an active participant in a national tripartite programme focusing on HIV and AIDS in the transport sector, with a major focus on the trucking industry where AIDS is known to be highly prevalent.
We are also very happy to see that you are active in the implementation of Transnet's comprehensive HIV and AIDS programme, which includes providing access to counselling and treatment.
Comrades, let me return to the matter of the alliance. This alliance was formed in the blood and sacrifices of the oppressed of this country to bring about our liberation. National oppression has ended, but the tasks of the national democratic revolution remain and it must be deepened in the years ahead.
Fellow South Africans, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the poor and the majority of our citizens who continue to support and put their faith and trust in the alliance.
We dare not fail them by being divisive and disunited as we continue to transform our society into a just, equal and fair one where the dignity and rights of all its citizens are respected.
Let us focus on what unites us and where differences emerge, work through them collectively and decisively. We must always remember that this alliance is the only revolutionary entity, with a clear and scientific programme to take the country to its final objective.
In conclusion, I want to commend you for the comrades you are honouring for their commitment to the cause of this union and the trade union movement in general.
May this serve as a reminder to the younger generation how liberation was attained through the sacrifices of others, as we continue the transformation process of our beloved country, Africa and the world.
I wish you well in your deliberations over the next few days and look forward to your final decisions and resolutions.
I thank you.
Amandla!
Issued by The Presidency
25 August 2003
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