Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) met at NEDLAC, 14 September 2011.
The COSATU delegation was led General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and the BUSA delegation by its President Futhi Mtoba. The meeting aimed at finding solutions and common ground on the triple crisis of unemployment, poverty and inequality in South Africa.
BUSA and COSATU shared a deep concern about the weakening economy in South Africa and the deteriorating global economic situation. It was agreed that it had become necessary to revisit the measures embodied in South Africa’s earlier response to the previous economic global crisis in 2009, and identify any new steps that may be needed to address the latest developments.
This meeting also adopted a joint programme of action on several strategic economic drivers as contained in the NGP - basic education, skills development, the role of SMMEs in job creation as well as issues related to preferential procurement and exploring ways of counteracting corruption.

BUSA and COSATU agreed to intensify the artisan development programme, bolstering the role and performance of FET Colleges, as well as adopting a programme to assist poorly performing schools.
BUSA and COSATU also agreed to support existing anti-corruption initiatives in order to curb the scourge of corruption in the private and public sectors. The bilateral also agreed to work together to sign the Integrity Pact, which aims to cultivate ethical behaviour in the private and public sectors.
The joint meeting also discussed the humanitarian crisis in Somalia and agreed that both parties would support programmes geared towards mobilising resources to aid the Somali people, including declaring a National Day of Action on Somalia.
Several task teams have been mandated to expedite outcomes on all the agreed projects and programmes.