In PICS: #COSATU celebrates its 40th anniversary rally at Dobsonville Stadium

By Marcus Moloko

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) celebrated its 40th anniversary in Soweto on Saturday, marking four decades since its founding in 1985.

I wish the death could rise and see what their sacrifice have become, declares people's poet, Mzwakhe Mbuli
Members of #Cosatu affiliated trade unions are here at #Cosatu40thAnniversary pic.twitter.com/U4iSe9QymR
— @COSATU Today (@_cosatu) December 6, 2025

Established as a federation of trade unions to defend workers’ rights, COSATU has played a defining role in South Africa’s political and social landscape, from the fight against apartheid to ongoing campaigns for fair wages and improved working conditions.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, himself a former union leader, delivered the keynote address at Dobsonville Stadium, commending COSATU’s achievements over the past four decades.

He praised the federation’s leaders for their courage and vision, noting that COSATU had been instrumental in shaping the national agenda against apartheid and the