General Materials
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This research report sets out to examine the concept of People's Education in South Africa from December 1985, when the call for People's Education was first made, to September 19877“It is the result of a preliminary six month research project which set out to lay the basis for a long term study of international perspectives on People's Education. The researcher experienced the difficulties associated with doing contemporary research in a charged political environment. Several of the potential interviewees were either in detention or 'on the run' because of their commitment to People's Education. The contemporary nature of the research focus also meant that the sources of relevant printed materials were limited and dispersed. The study demonstrates that People's Education is concerned with more than responding to 'the education crisis'. In addition, it is attempting to address the problem of a future education system in a post-apartheid society. As adult educators we are excited by the challenges that People's Education offers. It is one of the first times in South Africa that 'lifelong education ' is on the agenda where education in the school is seen as only one aspect of necessary education provision. Adult Education at the workplace, in voluntary associations, in political movements, in the home, is seen as integral to the educational process both in the period of social transformation and in a future, post-apartheid society. This study has confirmed that People's Education cannot be ignored. People's Education has achieved what many previous investigations into education have not achieved; it has involved a wide range of grassroots people in the debates around the future of South African education. It is an ongoing process. As Ken Hartshorne is quoted as saying : "Both the debate on and the process leading to post-apartheid education are well underway; they are loaded with complexities, uncertainties and risks, because they are taking place in an unstable and unresolved vortex which changes from day to day, from place to place." I would like to acknowledge the assistance of colleagues who played an important role in the process of the study : Professor Owen van den Berg who was very helpful in the setting up of the project, and Mr Brian O'Connell who assisted with the conceptualisation and ongoing discussion of the project. In addition, his critical reading of the draft of this report provided many invaluable suggestions. Thanks are also due to our colleagues at UWC and elsewhere who took time to read the draft paper and offered constructive criticisms. -
Ons woon langsaan 'n vullishoop, 25km buite Kaapstad, oppad na Malmesbury. Ons plek se naam is Frankdale. Ons het geen skole, toilette of elektrisiteit, en ook geen gesondheidsklinieke nie. 'n Mobiele kliniek kom een keer per maand. -
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Many mineworkers get occupational diseases. An OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE is caused by the conditions that miners work in. Mineworkers have the right to health. Improved working and living conditions and regular medical care can protect the health of mineworkers. Lung diseases are common occupational diseases among mineworkers. -
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The African National Congress, 75 years old tomorrow, is no longer being written off in South Africa as “the world's least successful terrorist organisation.†The black nationalist movement, which turned to violence after it was banned in 1960, is nowhere near a classic guerilla' victory in its fight for majority rule. But after three years of unprecedented black revolt in South Africa's townships, it has won recognition from the Government as its main enemy and a major security threat. Political analysts say this has in turn helped the outlawed ANC boost its overt political support in the townships — an increasingly important goal since it accepted how South African conditions impede conventional guerilla warfare. South African Government sources used to pour scorn on the ANC's guerilla operations and it justified crackdowns on dissent by speaking in general terms of an international, communist-backed' "total onslaught" against its rule. -
We have arrived at a very important stage in the development of our country - one that will be most testing and challenging for all of us. Our second revolution, so to speak, is only beginning. The Government of National Unity, has come a long way in addressing the key political questions. Advancement from here lies in our economic prerogative. We are all concerned with the major economic challenge that lies ahead. Sustainable economic growth, the creation of wealth and equity, the provision of jobs and basic needs underpin the need to provide mechanisms which will facilitate growth, development and delivery. But our concern is not limited to our domestic economy. -
The aim of this paper is to provide updated figures on women's representation in leadership structures in COSATU. These figures enable the federation to review progress and to set targets for women's leadership, as resolved in the 1997 COSATU Congress. The paper provides the most recent statistics (for 1998) on women's leadership in COSATU at regional and national level. The intention of this report was to focus on collecting the actual figures and is therefore confined to a more quantitative (statistical) reflection on women's leadership. It will be valuable to embark on further research that examines the qualitative aspects, in other words, women's experiences of leadership. -
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The intention of this paper is to highlight debates and issues regarding the use of guota systems in strengthening women's leadership in the labour movement. The paper is aimed at broadening the debate from mere acceptance or rejection of the guota. Debates on the use of guotas tend to be heated and controversial and can lose sight of the central objective, which is the development of strategies for women's empowerment. A large proportion of trade unions internationally have adopted forms of the quota system as a strong measure to deal with the ongoing under-representation of women in leadership. The quota system has also been introduced effectively in a number of parliaments all over the world, including South Africa. The countries with the highest representation of women in parliament have all had to use quotas to achieve this. The paper draws from a review of some of the international literature, as well as interviews undertaken with trade unionists and parliamentarians (see Appendix A for a list of interviewees). This paper will also highlight some examples where quota systems have been adopted, including three COSATU affiliates, namely CWIU, NEHAWU and SAMWU. -
South Africa is in the process of renegotiating the Southern African Customs Union Agreement with Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland. The origins of the Agreement date back to 1889 making this one of the world's oldest customs union agreements. The present version of the Act dates back to 1969. Since that time various conflicts have arisen between member countries regarding the objectives and operations of the agreement. Given the new political situation and the changing international trade climate, a decision has been made to renegotiate the agreement entirely. Discussions are now underway and these are being co-ordinated through the Customs Union Task Team which comprises representatives of the various countries. The South African government, through the Department of Trade and Industry recently held a workshop in order to brief interested parties. Parties have been invited to comment on the process and the Department has agreed to involve the Nedlac Trade and Industry chamber in any decision about the future of SACU. -
The aim of this paper is to provide updated figures on women's representation in leadership structures in COSATU. These figures enable the federation to review progress and to set targets for women's leadership, as resolved in the 1997 COSATU Congress. The paper provides the most recent statistics (for 1998) on women's leadership in COSATU at regional and national level. The intention of this report was to focus on collecting the actual figures and is therefore confined to a more quantitative (statistical) reflection on women's leadership. It will be valuable to embark on further research that examines the qualitative aspects, in other words, women's experiences of leadership. -
This research report was commissioned by NALEDI as part of its long term research project on Co-determination and Tripartism in South Africa. The transition to democracy in South Africa has been accompanied by a range of institutions and processes through which ordinary workers and their organisations may gain varying degrees of control over economic decisions that directly affect their lives. Scholars and practitioners have focussed attention on parts of these changes - such as NEDLAC or the workplace forum provisions of the Labour Relations Act - while missing its more systematic features: its wide scope from the factory floor to the societal level, and the extent to which labour has obtained strong decisionmaking and consultation rights founded in both statute and agreement. Taken together these features have the potential to deepen dramatically the political democracy won in 1994. Yet these developments are generally untheorised and remain seriously underresearched. In mid-1996 NALEDI embarked on this long term research project to investigate the dramatic changes that are occurring regarding worker representation at the workplace, industry, and societal levels. The full list of reports produced by this project is set out below. While the contributions are academically informed, they are aimed at examining key issues in a critical fashion to inform trade unionists and contribute to labour movement policy debates. -
This booklet'contains information to assist unions in the coming wage round. It was prepared as an information package for a wage bargaining workshop. It begins with a section that reviews economic trends, including growth, unemployment and inflation. At the end of the booklet is a more detailed article on inflation taken from the South African Labour Bulletin, showing why the official inflation rate underestimates the level of inflation for the poor. The next section covers employer comments regarding the coming wage negotiations. It includes information on wage levels, the apartheid wage gap and estimates on labour as a proportion of costs. Lastly there is a calendar showing when Cosatu members, and their unions implement wage increases. -
To my knowledge the author of this adage was Brother Davadoss. Better known to many, far and wide, as “DAVVYâ€. Lesley Davadoss was one of nine children of a working class family. Grew up and spent his formative years in Bokmakierie, Athlone. Devout in his Catholic upbringing, later to be ordained as a Deacon at St. Mary of the Angels. Lesley was a very sincere person who concerned himself with the needs of the Community, which naturally resulted in his involvement at the Company where he worked with the problems of his workmates. Along with other like thinking persons, he formed the E.I.W.U. in the Cape, holding meetings at his home in Kayter Road Crawford. The Branch in Durban, along with the Cape Town Branch formed E.I.W.U.S.A. -
The National Labour & Economic Development Institute (NALEDI) opened its doors in October 1993 and began its research programme at the beginning of 1994. NALEDI is an initiative of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu). Its aim is to conduct policy-relevant research of interest to the labour movement. The origins of the institute date back to Cosatu's 1991 national congress which recognised the need to improve the research capacity of the federation. A feasibility study was conducted. This attempted to define the research needs of the federation and its affiliates. It also examined the experience of other union- linked institutes such as FAFO in Norway and DESEP in Brazil, and explored Cosatu's experience with service organisations and associated research groups. In early 1993 Cosatu's central executive committee endorsed the establishment of a labour research institute and raised funds (primarily from the Dutch union movement the FNV) to commence operations. Jeremy Baskin was appointed to get the institute functioning and a board was appointed to assist. -
Since the formation of our Union the NUM has participated in a number of campaigns ranging from local and union specific to national political campaigns -
COSATU must intervene in affiliates where it has identified problems, where problems have been brought to its attention and / or has been requested to do so. The CEC should draw guidelines on how and under which circumstances the federation and its structures may intervene taking into account clauses 3.9 and 3.10 of the constitution. Such intervention should not undermine affiliates where such problems exist. COSATU leadership must be visible during major disputes between affiliates and employers and co-ordinate solidarity with workers involved in such disputes. -
In 1991 and 1992, the NUM accepted basic wage Increases on the gold mines that were far below the annual Inflation rate because of the crisis in the industry. The priority of the union was to preserve employment. But this left the door wide open for rich mines (like Kloof, Elandsrand and Vaal Reefs) to hide behind the low increases that are set in the Chamber negotiations at levels that Freegold, Buffelsfontein and marginal mines can live with. The NUM decided that workers need a way of adding more money onto their wages If the mines can afford to pay more. -
Our union is an organisation of workers in the security industry who work at: Pritchards,Grey's,Peninsula Security,Delta,Sector three,Coin,Fidelity etc. Workers alone in these companies are weak and cannot protect themselves from exploitation. All workers need to be protected and defended against unfair labour practises. -
Over two years have passed since our last Congress and many developments have taken place in our industry and the country. Most significant of these developments was the release of our Honorory Life President Comrade Nelson Mandela and the other political prisoners together with the unbanning of the the African National Congress and other political parties. These developments are the fruits of our struggle, a struggle so many have sacrificed so much for. These developments are the culmination of our victory over the evil system of apartheid. These developments came about as a result of the sustained assault against the edifice of apartheid mounted by our people and the international community. It is true that the political and social landscape in the country has changed and that new challenges await mineworkers, our union and all the patriotic forces in the struggle to transform our country into a genuine democracy and a prosperous country. The edifice of Aparthied has been under constant siege forcing the government to sytematically dismantle discriminatory legislation. Whilst we have to fully acknowledge that this process is taking place, we will be naive to believe that the institutions, legacy and culture that was fostered over decades will vanish with the removal of apartheid laws. We need to be constantly vigilant against the introduction of neo-apartheid in the place of apartheid. It requires much more than the removal of laws to address the historical inequities of Apartheid and racism that remains deep in the fabric of our social, economic and political life. Through all the developments we are proud to state that mineworkers have not only made their contribution in bringing about the demise of the apartheid system but have made their mark as one of the most militant sectors of the struggling masses. Together with thousands of others we have been able to shift the balance of power near to our goal of a non racial democracy. Our assessment of these developments and what the implications are for the future will be assessed in this report to Congress. As these historic developments have been taking place our industry has been experiencing severe problems with increased job losses and a low gold price. The fight for job security and the restructuring of the mining industry requires immediate attention. Our endeavours over the last two years will be evaluated and some suggestions of a future strategy will be outlined for consideration. Progess and development is often accompanied with setbacks and diversions. It is important that we acknowleges these so that our union can strenghten where it is weak and consolidate where it must. This biennial report examines the socio-economic and socio-political developments in the country and the industry since our last Congress, and assesses the achievements and future possibilities and challenges for the union. -
This Special Congress of COSATU notes the relentless advance of HIV and AIDS since the 1997 Congress. 3,5 million people in South are infected with the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV). Life expectant South Africa will reduce to 40-45 over the next ten years and health care costs will be beyond the cape of survivors to pay for. It is now clear that publicity and condom distribution, though important, are enough. This requires a new approach and strategy, based on a partnership between government and society in which the organised working class should play a leading role. -
Since the Fifth National Congress in 1987 where our union adopted the Freedom Charter and charted a clear political direction for the NUM, many gallant battles have been waged by the mineworkers on many fronts. 1987 was the year in which our union launched its campaign to effect control of miners working lives. It was a year when mineworkers took control indeed in keeping with the Fifth Congress Slogan -"1987 THE YEAR MINEWORKERS TAKE CONTROL", as many comrades began to take over the hostels, particularly in the Witbank Region which resulted in families moving into the hostels for a period of time. Although the process remained uneven, the initiative was an important indicator of the willingness of the workers to take action and implement resolutions adopted by our union. In spite of the existence of the State of Emergency, the dedication, commitment, spirit and enthusiasm of mineworkers remained high. 1987 was also the year in which the NUM made its mark on the mining industry with the historic Great Miners Strike. This action, involving over 340 000 workers was the biggest of its kind in South African Labour History, and also the biggest action by workers of its kind on the African continent. We challenged some of the fundamental policies of the mining industry, in particular, the concept of poverty wages which has become one of the major battle grounds for our union. Despite mass dismissals of 50 000 workers, our union has remained and continues to mobilise and organise mineworkers against the oppressive and exploitative conditions. 1987 will certainly go down in history as the year of mass action by mineworkers throughout South Africa. It is well known that the strike did affect our organisation in many areas. Actions by management to roll back the gains of our union continued unabated after the strike right through until now. -
On 15 December 1997 the WCED tabled a proposal in the ELRC. This would effectively terminate the contracts of 3333 temporary educators who were filling vacant substantive posts that were created after 1 July 1996 as a result of the rationalisation process. Not only will temporary educators be dismissed, but the posts that they occupy will be frozen. This means that the teachers who remain behind at schools will have increased workloads and will have to manage bigger class sizes -
An official newsletter of the Post and Telecommunication Workers Association. Key content includes a report on the Northern Cape Regional Congress in Vryburg, campaigns to save political prisoners ("the ANC Three") from the death penalty, expressions of solidarity with Namibia’s liberation struggle and SWAPO, arguments against the privatization of the South African Post Office, plans to merge with SAPOEA and SAPTEA into one giant union, and a tribute to assassinated activist David Webster.