The African National Congress (ANC) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) held a bilateral meeting on Monday at COSATU House in Braamfontein. The meeting marked the first formal engagement between the two organisations in some time and was described as both significant and timely, reaffirming their long-standing partnership and shared responsibility in advancing the National Democratic Revolution.
The meeting took place on a day of deep historical significance, coinciding with the centenary birthday of Dr Tlou Theophilus Cholo, a veteran of the liberation movement and a founding member of the South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU), which preceded COSATU. Dr Cholo was also a former Commander of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the ANC’s former military wing. The ANC said this coincidence between history and the present moment symbolised the continuity of the struggle for freedom, justice, and workers’ emancipation.
During the celebrations, Dr Cholo, who was honoured as an Isithwalandwe Seaparankwe, was remembered as a loyal and disciplined cadre of the movement who consistently reminded his comrades that the revolution remains a living process requiring vigilance, unity, and sacrifice. His life and contribution to the workers’ struggle were noted as an inspiration to both the ANC and COSATU in their ongoing mission to improve the lives of ordinary South Africans.
In a joint statement following the meeting, ANC National Spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said the bilateral session reaffirmed the deep bond of comradeship and shared purpose that defines the alliance between the ANC and COSATU. She said the meeting reflected on the challenges facing both the movement and the working class, and that both organisations engaged with honesty and maturity on how to strengthen their cooperation and revitalise the broader alliance.
The ANC and COSATU form part of the historic alliance that also includes the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO). Together, the alliance has long carried the responsibility of transforming the state and society to benefit all citizens. The latest engagement, according to the statement, represents a renewed effort to deepen collaboration and ensure that the alliance continues to serve as a united, programmatic vehicle for transformation.
The meeting discussed a range of key issues affecting the country and the working class. These included the current state of the National Democratic Revolution, the reconfiguration of the alliance to make it more effective and cohesive, and the role of the labour movement in defending workers’ rights, promoting industrial development, and ensuring the fair distribution of national wealth in line with the principles of the Freedom Charter. The organisations also reviewed progress on resolutions from previous bilateral meetings and their impact on the broader transformation agenda.
The ANC provided a detailed briefing on its Local Government Action Plan and ongoing preparations for the 2026 Local Government Elections. Both organisations agreed that local government remains the heartbeat of transformation and the most immediate space where citizens experience the successes or failures of policy implementation. The ANC emphasised the importance of restoring integrity within municipal leadership, improving governance, and delivering quality public services that make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
The meeting also received a presentation on the ANC’s 10-Point Economic Action Plan, which outlines urgent and practical measures to accelerate inclusive growth and job creation. The plan prioritises restoring energy security, improving the efficiency of freight and logistics networks, rebuilding the mining and industrial base, and strengthening the state’s capacity to implement major infrastructure projects. It also highlights support for small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and township businesses, as well as balanced regional development that expands economic participation beyond the country’s main centres.
“Both organisations agreed to hold further engagements to discuss the implementation of this plan. They emphasised that the plan must be rooted in the values of the Freedom Charter and ensure that economic transformation benefits the working class, advances industrialisation, and promotes equitable development,” said Bhengu.
Another key focus of the meeting was the upcoming 40th anniversary of COSATU, which will be celebrated on 6 December 2025 at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto. The event will mark four decades of militant working-class struggle, unity, and service to the nation. Both the ANC and COSATU agreed that this milestone offers an important opportunity for reflection, renewal, and recommitment to the values that have guided the labour movement since its inception.
They said the anniversary should remind members of the sacrifices made by generations of workers who fought for fair wages, improved working conditions, and social justice. It would also serve as a reaffirmation of the working class as the leading motive force in the ongoing National Democratic Revolution.
As part of their deliberations, the ANC and COSATU acknowledged that the socio-economic challenges facing South Africa require a unified and disciplined response from all alliance partners. They committed to strengthening organisational discipline, promoting accountability, and fostering an environment where political and economic renewal can take root.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening the unity and strategic coherence of the alliance. Both organisations reaffirmed that the ANC-led alliance remains the principal political instrument for achieving the aspirations of the people and guiding South Africa through its next phase of transformation.
They further agreed that renewal, discipline, and revolutionary morality must define the conduct of cadres within the alliance. These values, they said, are essential for restoring public confidence and ensuring that the movement remains focused on addressing poverty, unemployment, and inequality.
In closing, the ANC and COSATU reiterated that their partnership remains grounded in a shared vision for a democratic, non-racial, and prosperous South Africa. They pledged to continue working together to advance policies that promote workers’ rights, social justice, and inclusive economic growth.
According to the statement, the bilateral meeting symbolised not only the enduring solidarity between the ANC and COSATU but also their collective determination to strengthen the alliance and deepen socio-economic transformation in line with the Freedom Charter.
