Cosatu congratulates ANC on 101 years
2013-01-10 13:30
Johannesburg - Cosatu has sent a letter to ANC secretary
general Gwede Mantashe, wishing the organisation well on its 101st anniversary.
Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) general secretary
Zwelinzima Vavi wished the party "another 101 years of existence" in
the letter, which was dated 8 January - the day of the anniversary.
"The ANC has for 101 years led our people and inspired
millions more across the continent and the globe to fight for freedom and
democracy," Vavi wrote.
"Guided by your primary principle of selflessness, you
have been one of the finest examples of [a] progressive liberation
movement."
Poverty
Vavi said the ANC had survived because it had made a point
of trying to alleviate poverty.
"It has been a voice for the voiceless. It has stood
shoulder to shoulder with exploited workers," he wrote. "The ANC must
continue doing that."
Vavi said this year also marked the centenary of the Native
Land Act.
"We sadly mark the centenary of the... act which
legalised theft of the land by an invading foreign army that occupied our
country by force.
"No stone must be left unturned to reverse this ugly
page in our history."
Vavi saluted those who had fought against apartheid in their
youth, and the role played by "our mothers".
"These brave women led countless marches, often serving
as an inspiration to the masses as [a] whole to fight not only against national
oppression, but also against women’s exploitation."
Working class
He said the working class had always been the backbone of
the liberation struggle.
"We are particularly pleased to note that workers have
always played a leading role and provided the finest leaders to the ANC,"
Vavi said.
"The history of the workers’ struggles and those of the
ANC are not separable."
Vavi said unity in the alliance between the ANC, Cosatu and
the SA Communist Party was critical.
"We hope that the ANC will mobilise the majority of
South Africans to realise all the objectives it set for itself in its national
conferences, in particular for total economic emancipation.
"The next 101 years of the ANC must be characterised by
heightened mass action for the total emancipation of black people in general
and Africans in particular from economic bondage," he said.
- SAPA
