Expelled teachers’ union president Thobile Ntola says the country needs a new union to champion the interests of workers.
Ntola was addressing more than 300 South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) members at the OR Tambo Hall in Zwelitsha near King William’s Town yesterday.
He said he was invited by the group to update them on events leading to his expulsion in May, and also to get a briefing on what happened at the Sadtu national conference two weeks ago.
But Ntola used the meeting to promote a new union that is being formed and which has been identified in previous Daily Dispatch reports as the Public Service Unions of South Africa (PSUSA).
The Dispatch reported last month that plans to launch the new union were at an advanced stage and Ntola confirmed the plan.
Ntola said Cosatu was on the verge of a break-up because the labour federation “has been made to cheer for a government that is corrupt and oppressing workers’ rights.
“We now need a union that will prioritise the fight for better conditions of workers.
“Currently there is no revolution in South Africa because the fight for a better life for all has been changed to being a better life for some,” said Ntola.
The meeting coincided with a press conference in which nine unions supporting Cosatu leader Zwelinzima Vavi and aligned with Numsa announced that they have filed a court application “to compel” the Cosatu central executive committee to convene a special national general council.
The unions are demanding the council because it is the constitutionally demanded forum where cases such as that of Ntola and Vavi can be openly discussed by branch delegates and not the national office bearers.
“I am here through the invitation of Sadtu branches in the province. I decided to come because this is one province which supported me right from the beginning when I was under attack.
“They still believe in me, that is why they invited me despite the fact that I am expelled. I am here to explain what has led me to where I am, both politically and otherwise,” said Ntola.
He said there was an interesting trend in Cosatu with all experienced unionists becoming members of national parliament and provincial legislatures, or bureaucrats in the public service.
“Experience tells us that most of those who led labour unions are now part of the bureaucracy.”
He said seasoned union leaders were now policymakers and were adopting policies that were undoing the gains workers made in the new dispensation.
“I’m here to motivate workers to start relying on themselves, not anyone else. We want workers to be liberated, for them to be able to feed their families and ensure they are working in a much improved environment with better salaries,” said Ntola.
Sadtu’s Vuyani Xaluva branch secretary Lamla Tini confirmed that although he attended the national conference two weeks ago, he had attended the meeting which was intended to brief those members who had not been at the conference. — asandan@dispatch.co.za
SA needs new union – ex-Sadtu president
Ntola was addressing more than 300 South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) members at the OR Tambo Hall in Zwelitsha near King William’s Town yesterday.
He said he was invited by the group to update them on events leading to his expulsion in May, and also to get a briefing on what happened at the Sadtu national conference two weeks ago.
But Ntola used the meeting to promote a new union that is being formed and which has been identified in previous Daily Dispatch reports as the Public Service Unions of South Africa (PSUSA).
The Dispatch reported last month that plans to launch the new union were at an advanced stage and Ntola confirmed the plan.
Ntola said Cosatu was on the verge of a break-up because the labour federation “has been made to cheer for a government that is corrupt and oppressing workers’ rights.
“We now need a union that will prioritise the fight for better conditions of workers.
“Currently there is no revolution in South Africa because the fight for a better life for all has been changed to being a better life for some,” said Ntola.
The meeting coincided with a press conference in which nine unions supporting Cosatu leader Zwelinzima Vavi and aligned with Numsa announced that they have filed a court application “to compel” the Cosatu central executive committee to convene a special national general council.
The unions are demanding the council because it is the constitutionally demanded forum where cases such as that of Ntola and Vavi can be openly discussed by branch delegates and not the national office bearers.
“I am here through the invitation of Sadtu branches in the province. I decided to come because this is one province which supported me right from the beginning when I was under attack.
“They still believe in me, that is why they invited me despite the fact that I am expelled. I am here to explain what has led me to where I am, both politically and otherwise,” said Ntola.
He said there was an interesting trend in Cosatu with all experienced unionists becoming members of national parliament and provincial legislatures, or bureaucrats in the public service.
“Experience tells us that most of those who led labour unions are now part of the bureaucracy.”
He said seasoned union leaders were now policymakers and were adopting policies that were undoing the gains workers made in the new dispensation.
“I’m here to motivate workers to start relying on themselves, not anyone else. We want workers to be liberated, for them to be able to feed their families and ensure they are working in a much improved environment with better salaries,” said Ntola.
Sadtu’s Vuyani Xaluva branch secretary Lamla Tini confirmed that although he attended the national conference two weeks ago, he had attended the meeting which was intended to brief those members who had not been at the conference. — asandan@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos