By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Refitlhile Baloyi from the Public Servants Association (PSA) takes over reins as the new Federation of Unions of South Africa’s (FEDUSA) President, succeeding Godfrey Selematsela.
The Federation of Unions of South Africa’s (FEDUSA) held its 8th National Congress in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.
FEDUSA is one of South Africa’s recognised national trade union federations and represents workers across a wide range of industries in the public and private sectors.
Martlé Keyter and Waheed Hoosen were elected as Deputy Presidents. Riefdah Ajam retained her position as Secretary general.
All seven National Office Bearer positions were uncontested securing the new term for the next five years.
In his acceptance speech, Baloyi said, “The first thing is to reorganise in the space of work in South Africa. It seems like we are losing, organising and unifying workers to come into unions and ultimately join federations, because we’ve got young people who seem to have lost interest in unions.
Baloyi expressed gratitude to outgoing President Selematsela, wishing him well and commending the work achieved during his tenure.
He thanked delegates across all FEDUSA affiliates, alongside international and social partners like the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), and NEDLAC.
Baloyi reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to solidarity, collective action, and defending workers’ dignity without political alignment.
The congress was held under the theme: “Reclaiming and Organising the Future: Workers’ Dignity, Power, and Justice through Conscious Unionism in an Age of Crisis,” should inspire both government and business.”
Deputy president Paul Mashatile challenged FEDUSA to consider whether the institutions established to advance workers’ interests are fulfilling their purpose, noting that, despite the country’s laws, the labour market continues to reflect deep inequalities.
“Despite our progressive labour laws, the labour market still reflects inequalities of race, gender and disability, particularly at senior management levels. Legislation alone will not achieve transformation.”
“Employers must address unequal recruitment, pay disparities and inadequate skills development. Trade unions must actively monitor whether employment equity plans deliver results,” he said.
The Deputy President said transformation must be evident in the structure of the economy, rather than merely reflected in formal compliance.
Mashatile emphasised that South Africa’s most urgent national task is to achieve stronger economic growth and create jobs on a scale that substantially reduces poverty and inequality.
He said this was necessary in response to an economy that contracted by 0.2% in the second quarter of 2026, with the mining, manufacturing and trade sectors under considerable pressure.
About 8.5 million South Africans are unemployed, while the official unemployment rate has risen to 33.6%.
“These figures represent people unable to provide for their families, graduates unable to enter the labour market, and communities where opportunity is limited. When a factory closes, suppliers lose business, local enterprises lose customers and entire communities decline,” the Deputy President said.
Meanwhile Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) congratulated its sister federation, FEDUSA on their successful congress.
Cosatu Parliamentary Coordinator Matthew Parks said, “We welcome the newly elected leadership of FEDUSA and look forward to working closely with its collective led by President Refitlhile Baloyi and General Secretary Riefdah Ajam. FEDUSA has been a reliable partner to COSATU at Nedlac and many other sites of working-class struggles.”
“We remain guided by the visionary call of COSATU’s founding President, Elijah Barayi, of one industry, one union, one country, one federation and look forward to deepening the bonds of solidarity with the leadership and members of FEDUSA, said Parks.”