Siphiwe Dlamini
Solly Mapaila, the General Secretary of the South African Communist Party (SACP), on Monday delivered a strong critique of the Government of National Unity (GNU), accusing it of betraying the country’s long-standing fight against colonialism. Mapaila’s sharp comments come in the wake of increasing concerns that the GNU’s policies may be undermining both the interests of workers and the integrity of the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
Mapaila voiced these concerns during a strike organized by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), accusing the GNU of placing economic capital ahead of national priorities and, consequently, disregarding the struggles of the working class. Speaking to a crowd of union members who had gathered outside the Johannesburg Stock Exchange as part of a nationwide strike, he denounced the GNU’s leadership as detrimental to the anti-colonial struggle.
“Since the last 350 years of colonialism in this country, we have been fighting to take back our land. Now with this government of national unity, this is the highest form of betrayal of our people,”
Mapaila was quoted.
The focus of his argument was not only historical but also reflected the present-day dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of economic issues that disproportionately affect the working class. He emphasised that the GNU’s policies have effectively placed the country’s control back into the hands of a privileged minority, undoing decades of anti-colonial efforts.
At the same rally, Cosatu leaders echoed Mapaila’s sentiments, expressing similar concerns over the impact of the GNU on the ANC’s core values and principles. They also highlighted how rising economic inequality and austerity measures are eroding trust in the party, particularly among the working class, which has traditionally been the ANC’s bedrock of support.
Union officials called on the government to take immediate action in response to the economic challenges that have led to widespread retrenchments and rising utility costs. The call for reform comes as the nation grapples with a deepening economic crisis, marked by a sharp increase in the cost of living and essential services such as water and electricity.
“We need them to stop retrenchments, we need them to cushion workers in terms of the high rate of local municipality utilities, for example, the electricity and water hikes,”
said Cosatu Gauteng Chairperson, Amos Monyela. He further pointed out that the burden of these hikes is being passed onto workers, negating the progress made in wage negotiations.
The union also expressed concern over the rising interest rates, which are further exacerbating the financial strain on workers and employers alike. Monyela noted that while some employers have attempted to mitigate the impact of inflation by increasing wages, these efforts are being undermined by high interest rates that continue to diminish workers’ purchasing power.
“Even some of the employers are trying to cushion workers, but all this interest rate is taking back what those employers have put into the pockets of workers,”
Monyela added, underlining the extent to which economic conditions have worsened.
Cosatu warned that if the government does not intervene to halt the escalating costs of living, the gains made through collective bargaining and wage increases would be undone. The union emphasised that workers are bearing the brunt of an economic crisis that is largely being ignored by the current administration.
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