By Charmaine Ndlela
COSATU President Zingiswa Losi on Thursday described South Africa’s unemployment crisis as a “national emergency”, calling for a coordinated response from government and the private sector.
Speaking at the federation’s May Day rally held at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Limpopo, Losi said that while workers’ rights had improved since the end of apartheid, joblessness remained the country’s biggest threat.
The country’s official unemployment rate stands at 31.4%, with young people disproportionately affected.
“We cannot celebrate 32 years of Freedom but keep quiet when four out of ten South Africans cannot find work. What hope is there for the matriculant in Phalaborwa or the disabled bus driver in Makhado when jobs are scarce?” Losi told workers at the May Day rally.
“When we are battling this single greatest threat facing the nation, we must condemn those employers in both the public and private sectors who see nothing wrong with retrenching workers in this economy.”
She likened the scale of the crisis to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying it required a similar level of urgency and coordination, and criticised employers in both the public and private sectors for practices that undermine job security.
“Our unemployment crisis must be treated as a national emergency and command the same collective response we mobilised against COVID-19, including a mass economic stimulus and job creation plan of action,” she said.
“All spheres of government and employers must be mobilised and held accountable for their contributions to crushing unemployment.”
Losi also urged consumers to support local industries to help stimulate economic growth and job creation.
“All of us, be it the teacher in Malamulele, the mining company in Rustenburg or the hospital in Mangaung, must buy locally produced goods. This is the most effective way to support local jobs and businesses and grow this economy,” said Losi.
“It is in response to this and the cost-of-living crisis that is plunging millions of working-class families into debt and misery that COSATU is waging a mass campaign to provide relief and hope for workers.”
On crime and corruption, Losi said persistent lawlessness continued to damage communities and erode public trust.
“We cannot celebrate 32 years of democracy when we are a nation scarred by horrific levels of crime and corruption. We appreciate progress being made to remove the cancer of corruption across the state, in particular SARS. But more must be done,” said Losi.
“The police require working vehicles, the NPA requires skilled prosecutors, the courts require magistrates. This is a war that we dare not lose. Politicians, employers and tenderpreneurs who steal, must go to prison.”
Addressing political dynamics ahead of the November 4 Local Government Elections, Losi called for unity within the Tripartite Alliance, amid tensions between its partners, particularly the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP).
Losi added that COSATU would continue to defend the alliance while advocating for its reconfiguration to better serve workers and the rural poor.
“As we head to the most contested local elections since the dawn of democracy, this Alliance must be united. We are allies and not opponents. We must work hand in glove as we engage and mobilise voters and ensure that on election day, this Alliance emerges victorious from Thohoyandou to Tshwane,” said Losi.
“This Federation of Mark Shope and Nana Abrahams will unapologetically defend its unity. The Alliance must be radically reconfigured, lead the state and remain biased towards the working class and rural poor.”
“We must never allow our differences to divide workers. We make this appeal to our Alliance Partners. This leadership of the Alliance, you dare not fail Collins Chabane, Joyce Mashamba, Ruth First and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.”
She also praised the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, describing it as one of the most effective in the country’s history.
“You appear once, you appear twice, and the third time you appear, you appear in court,” she said.
PHOTOS: X/MyANC
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