By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GalloImages.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) an ally of the African National Congress (ANC), is set to hold its 40th anniversary celebrations at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto.
Since its formation on December 1, 1985, COSATU has been at the forefront of the struggle, playing a pivotal role in dismantling apartheid and shaping the progressive labour landscape.
The ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula delivered a keynote address at the trade union’s 40th anniversary gala dinner event in Soweto on Friday evening.
“Forty years ago, in 1985, COSATU emerged as a beacon of hope during one of the darkest chapters in South Africa’s history.
“Born in the height of apartheid repression, COSATU united workers across industries and regions under a common vision; to dismantle apartheid tyranny and realise economic and social justice for all, while rallying workers behind the national democratic revolution,” Mbalula said.
The gala event is a precursor of the official 40th celebrations set for the Dobsonville Stadium, where the party will mark on Saturday four decades of workers’ rights and social justice advocacy.
Mbalula further commended COSATU for its role in the tripartite alliance alongside the ANC and the SACP, which has paved the way for democratic revolution in the country.
He said principled and honest criticism between and within the alliance should be welcomed only if it reflects the understanding of the historical context of the alliance.
The anniversary celebrations come just as the ANC recently held a bilateral meeting to discuss, among other things, the Economic Action Plan, as well as the state of the alliance and the National Democratic Revolution (NDR) and the preparations for the 2026 local elections.
COSATU President Zingiswa Losi expressed profound gratitude for COSATU’s perseverance in sustaining the liberation movement during a time when the ANC was banned and for fortifying the Mass Democratic Movement, which saw workers becoming the backbone of South Africa’s transformative journey to democracy.
Tonight marks a historic moment. Our journey marks a historic moment. COSATU’s 40th anniversary is that of a giant that was born on the 4th of December 1985, she proclaimed.”
This anniversary is not just any celebration. It is a celebration of the return of the spirit that was ignited in 1985 when workers gathered under the state of emergency to build the most powerful labour movement,” she said.
Post 1994, Cosatu with the ANC led government put in place a raft of progressive laws to protect workers, nurture labour market stability, and boost workplace productivity and economic growth.