Mashatile assures SADTU of GNU’s commitment to protect labour rights

African National Congress (ANC) Deputy President Paul Mashatile has assured delegates at the South African Democratic Teachers Union Congress (SADTU), that the Government of National Unity (GNU)’s commitment to protect labour rights remains resolute.

Mashatile made the comments while addressing nearly 2 000 delegates from SADTU, gathered for the union’s 10th National Congress in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, on Wednesday.

Mashatile says that the ANC will not allow any GNU partner to reverse the gains they have made since the dawn of democracy.

“I know that at the beginning of the GNU, there was a lot of concern that some of the partners were with us in the GNU, we are aware of that, and there was a worry that some of them might try to use the GNU to reverse the gains that the workers have achieved over time. I want to say on behalf of the ANC, over our dead body.”

ANC Deputy President Paul Mashatile seeks to assure delegates

Budget cuts

SADTU has vowed to fight budget cuts in the sector. It says this has affected the growth of the union and its members’ working conditions.

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube revealed that most provincial education departments are unable to maintain their basket of posts for teachers due to the budget cuts in the sector.

The SADTU Congress sits once every five years to, among others, adopt policies by means of resolutions and the union says it will come out of the 4-day congress with strategies to fight austerity measures.

SADTU General Secretary Mugwena Maluleke says, “SADTU is very much worried about the budget cuts and we have been very clear that education is an investment for the nation and therefore any budget that has impact negatively on our children, on our future as a country. And what has been happening all along is that since 2020 we have seen, we’re dealing with poverty and it is very critical.”

Basic Education Budget Cuts | Thokozile Madonko weighs in

Budget cuts endanger basic education

The Budget Justice Coalition (BJC) expresses deep concern regarding reports of impending budget cuts to basic education.

BJC urges policymakers to prioritise education spending, “ensuring sufficient funding for schools, teachers, resources and infrastructure.”

“We recognise the critical importance of mobilising resources to ensure the state fulfils its obligation to provide for the Constitutionally-protected right to quality basic education,” it adds.

The Coalition says budget cuts towards basic education will disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, exacerbating existing inequalities and undermining South Africa’s Constitutional guarantee of the right to basic education.