As the ANC and its alliance partners prepare to elect new leaders, President Cyril Ramaphosa says he hopes to see successful, violence-free and corruption-free conferences.
“I have called for a new consensus between the government, business, labour and civil society to resolve our country’s challenges and that this should be done as quickly as possible.
“In forging a new consensus to eradicate poverty, inequality and unemployment we want also to develop mining, construction and infrastructure along a new trajectory. We are looking at expanding new frontiers in mining in many parts of our country. As we pursue a path of ensuring that we embrace this new transition, unions such as yours should be at the forefront, leading this process.
This, he said, can only be done through the support of NUM and the union federation. “This it can do through the mobilisation you generate as a union and as Cosatu.” Ramaphosa thanked the union for “playing a very important role” in the 2021 local government elections. He urged workers to get involved as ordinary members of the alliance “so the ANC can move with greater determination to renew itself”.