NEHAWU NEC Statement - 2025
Monday October 27, 2025
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] convened its ordinary National Executive Committee [NEC] on the 24th – 25th of October 2025 at Anew Parktonian Hotel, Braamfontein in Johannesburg.
The NEC considered the international context, national political and socio-economic situations and organizational matters affecting our members in particular, workers and the working class in general.
The NEC meeting took place against a backdrop of the commemoration and celebration of the 80th anniversary of the World Federation of Trade Unions [WFTU] since its founding on the 3rd of October 1945 in Paris, France in the aftermath of the Second World War, born as a united voice of the world’s militant and fighting federation of the class oriented trade unions.
The NEC congratulated WFTU for reaching this historic milestone, and remaining a class-oriented world federation of workers with a clear militant stand in the struggles of workers and the working class against capitalist exploitation and imperialist aggression.
Furthermore, the NEC congratulated the Trade Union International Public Service and Allied [TUI-PS&A], as strategic component of the WFTU, for its 76th anniversary and wished its Directive Committee the best deliberations as it convenes in Johannesburg, South Africa on the 29th – 30th of October 2025. The NEC agreed to do everything to support and ensure the success of these historic events of our Trade Union International, which NEHAWU is an affiliate to and lead by its General Secretary as a General Secretary of this international trade union of public servants of the world.
Equally, the meeting took place after the 8th Central Committee of the Congress of South African Trade Unions [COSATU] which was convened on 15th – 18th of September 2025. Furthermore, recognized that this year, 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of COSATU as well as 70th anniversary of the predecessor of COSATU, the South African Congress of Trade Union [SACTU] and also the 70th anniversary of the Freedom Charter.
Our NEC underscores that all these historic celebrations are celebrated in the period when South Africa under the Government of National Unity (GNU) unfortunately made up of our movement, the ANC and the strategic enemy of our revolution – the DA. Our NEC felt pity that the seventh administration would not even be incorporating some of the socioeconomic claims of the Freedom Charter in the new economic strategy, which remains our yardstick by which to measure the advancement of our National Democratic Revolution (NDR).
It felt also a great pity that the 40th anniversary of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and the 70th anniversary of the South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU) are celebrated against the backdrop of the consolidation of the Neoliberal trajectory in the light of the introduction of the government’s new draft economic strategy called Growth and Inclusion [GAIN].
International Situation
The NEC discussed the unfolding international geopolitical and economic developments which include amongst others; the US Trade Tariffs, imperialist wars, trade wars, coups, and mass social unrest, and agreed that these developments are a reflection of the existential crisis of capitalism, which system has proven incapable of satisfying the contemporary needs of humanity.
The NEC agreed that as a result of the existential crisis of capitalism, the working-class has borne the brunt of capitalism, which has caused unprecedented destruction of livelihoods of millions of the working class with extreme poverty, inequality, unemployment and misery for the working-class.
The NEC noted the emergence and rise of right-wing movements across the world and agreed that many progressive and radical parties find themselves suffering the backlash of the rising racist and xenophobic sentiments.
The NEC expressed concern that the US and China are edging towards a full-blown trade war that would plunge the global economy into recession and potentially a great depression.
The NEC strongly condemned the ongoing Israeli genocidal aggression against Palestine which has escalated to a point wherein Israel is hell-bent on destroying Gaza City entirely. Furthermore, the murderous Israeli regime has carried out bombings in Iran, Qatar, and recently detained activists including South African activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla thereby violating international law.
The NEC condemned the deployment of US Warships near Venezuelan waters under the pretext of narcotics control, wherein the real motive is regime change in Venezuela.
The meeting agreed and reiterated our commitment to continue our international solidarity campaigns with workers in Swaziland, Zimbabwe, with the people of Western Sahara, and Cuba.
National Political Situation
In assessing the national political situation, the entry point for NEC was premised on Gramsci’s outlines of three interrelated “levels of relations of force”, the totality of which reflects the balance of forces in a revolution or society in general, i.e. the relation of social forces (classes), the relation of political forces and the relation of military forces.
In its application, the national executive committee reaffirmed that in the context of democratic political terrain, the union has consistently and principally dealt with the relation of social forces in terms of the political economy and the relation of political forces as part of its assessment of the course of the national democratic revolution. Even now, its conclusions have not fundamentally changed over time.
The NEC took time to assess the current state of the National Democratic Revolution [NDR], and our assessment reveals that the NDR thus far, reflects the overall balance of class forces that favour of monopoly-capital. This is illustrated by fact that government and capital have now established a practical partnership to deepen and implement Neoliberal structural reforms in infrastructure networks, with a view to allow for private ownership and operation.
The NEC reiterated its long-held perspective that the organised working class led by our Socialist-Axis must take full responsibility and leadership role as the primary motive force in the NDR as part its pursuit toward the logical conclusion and a most direct route to socialism. Furthermore, the NEC agreed on the task of building a powerful socialist movement of the workers and the poor in the terrain of deepening of the National Democratic Revolution.
In this regard, the NEC reaffirmed the 12th National Congress resolution on the strategic way-forward and clarity in terms of the SACP resolution to contest independently the elections in the 2026 local government elections and beyond. In its commitment to its unwavering support to the SACP, the union will immediately set up its elections machinery, heightening its class consciousness project and rolling-out the political education programme anchored by an explanation on why NEHAWU supports the SACP in the 2026 local government elections which among others includes the political classes, town-based meetings, lectures for its leadership, shop stewards and members including producing a booklet about its position and support. Furthermore, the NEC is preparing a comprehensive and detail recommendation for the consideration of CEC to be held in December 2025 towards a strategy of taking the election work forward.
Socio-Economic Situation
The entry point of the NEC for the overall assessment of the socio-economic situation was premised on how the country continues to languish in socioeconomic stagnation as a result of pursuing a neoliberal economic trajectory for the past three decades. Indeed, the pursuance of the neoliberal economic trajectory has fostered the current crisis of high unemployment, inequality and extreme poverty that confronts millions of our people.
The NEC discussed the government’s new draft economic strategy called Growth and Inclusion [GAIN], which is self-styled as a framework to revive growth and create jobs. The NEC was categorically clear in its assessment of what GAIN represents, which is a continuity and expansion on the previous neoliberal economic strategies and does not depart from the neoliberal developmental trajectory in which the country has been locked since 1994.
Furthermore, the NEC vehemently rejected GAIN and condemned the fact that the SACP and COSATU have been excluded in the consultation process, whilst the ANC continue to claim that it is the strategic leader of the Alliance. The NEC called on the ANC to convene a forum for meaningful engagement on the strategy with the Alliance partners.
The NEC resolved to mobilise its members to picket outside National Treasury and National Parliament to fight austerity measures when the Minister of Finance tables the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement on the 12th November 2025.
On healthcare, the NEC agreed that the South African public healthcare system is currently engulfed by multiple crises which manifest in most of the six building blocks for a strong healthcare system as per the World Health Organisation standards, which entail; service delivery, health workforce, health information system, medical products, vaccines and technologies, financing, and leadership and governance. However, the more consequential root-causes driving the current crises-ridden in public healthcare can be ascribed to inadequate financing, shortages of the health workforce, and leadership and governance.
The NEC agreed to develop a transversal template around the six building blocks for a strong healthcare system, which our Provincial Health Committees, working with branches in specific institutions will drive practical activities around the state of the public healthcare system as part of our NHI Campaign.
Equally, the NEC mandated the union to demand progress report and urgent legal action against all those who have been found involved in the fraudulent medico-legal cases by the investigation of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) in August 2024.
On Post-school Education, the NEC discussed in detail the state of post-school education and training sector, and concluded that the sector is confronted by myriad of challenges which have manifested in the crisis in post-schooling, which are as a result of neoliberalism. This include amongst others; the corporatization of post-schooling, austerity measures, and poor strategic leadership role by government.
The NEC noted the fact that the Department of Higher Education and Training states has finalised the comprehensive student funding model for higher education, specifically designed for students who fall outside the current NSFAS criteria and those who are regarded as the “missing middle”. In this regard, the meeting called on DHET to desist from imposing this funding model and subject it to an engagement with students and labour at NEDLAC.
Furthermore, the NEC condemned the violence and the destruction of buildings and infrastructure, which unfortunately include some artifacts and research work, at the Fort Hare University.
The NEC expressed serious concerns about the Government Employees Pension Fund [GEPF] implementing the revised Actuarial Interest Factors. The NEC agreed to invite the GEPF to make a comprehensive presentation and clarify the Actuarial Interest Factors and furthermore embark on roadshows to clarify to workers.
The NEC noted the ongoing Parliament Ad Hoc Committee and Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry following damning revelations by KZN Provincial Police Commissioner about the criminal justice cluster. We welcome the scrutiny on the upper echelon of policing and further call for investigations at the district and police station levels whereby some commanders are also captured by syndicates, and their collusion directly harms working class communities than most other classes and in which the ratios of a police personnel to population around the precincts are the worst due to austerity measures.
The NEC congratulated our 2nd Deputy President, Comrade Patrick Makhafane for his election on the Government Employees Medical Scheme [GEMS] Board of Trustees.
The meeting noted the negative impact of Trump’s Executive Orders and trade tariffs on job security. In this regard, the union has agreed to defend the jobs of its members by all means necessary.
Organisational
The NEC spent a great deal of time focusing on the organisational assessment as anchored around the key main activities for the year which include; convening of provincial congress, national organising, servicing and collective bargaining conference, 8th COSATU Central Committee and recruitment.
The NEC agreed that the congresses and national organising, serving and collective bargaining conference were successful and excellent organisational achievements.
On Public Service Delivery Campaign, the NEC appreciated the work done by the union in the Thabo Moshoeshoe region in terms of the launching of the public service delivery campaign focusing on health issues at the Nelson Mandela Health District. The NEC directed that there be an aftercare program to assist the region in ensuring that the issues raised by members are attended to and that the union forces the department of health in Eastern Cape to fully comply with the remedial actions of the Public Protector.
On Community Healthcare Workers, the NEC categorically reiterated the core principle of the union that all CHWs be permanently employed. The NEC does not appreciate the delay on the implementation of the labour court judgement and the union will be meeting the Minister of Health soon on this matter whilst also continuing to consult members.
The NEC expressed serious concerns on the conditions of employment of Forensic Pathology Officers. The Fact that the Department of Health and Department of Public Service and Administration are still refusing to remove these employees from the Occupation Specific Dispensation leaves much to be desired because they are not professionalised and this has stagnated them in terms of grade progression like all other employees. The NEC agreed to convene a picket demonstration during the PSCBC council meeting to force both departments to resolve the matter.
Lastly, the NEC noted the report on the CCMA dispute on organisational rights and the certificate of none resolve and directed the union to finalise the program of action leading towards the national action at the CCMA.
END
Issued by NEHAWU Secretariat
Zola Saphetha (General Secretary) at 082 558 5968;
December Mavuso (Deputy General Secretary) at 082 558 5969;
Lwazi Nkolonzi (NEHAWU National Spokesperson) at 081 558 2335 or email: lwazin@nehawu.org.za
Visit https://www.nehawu.org.za
More Statements
