The week in political activism

COSATU calls out Sun City

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and its affiliate the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) have issued a press statement alleging that racial attacks continue against workers at Sun City during working hours. This comes after workers accused of stealing money have been subjected to strip searches by a security man from the Fidelity security company.

COSATU’s statement reads: “We have been fighting against racism at Sun City for years, but our poor workers are still faced with the same attitude from the white racist managers … We have been quiet for too long, waiting [for] our provincial government to intervene …”

COSATU also alleges that their shop stewards and complainants against the Guptas were dismissed “after certain individual politicians gave the instructions as they are friends or beneficiaries of the Guptas”.

COSATU has opened cases of racial attacks, sexual harassment and attempted rape, but say the security company is obstructing the process.

COSATU is “now calling for mass action, as part of our campaign for workers to enjoy their rights to celebrate May Day. It is our right.”

For more information call the COSATU NW provincial secretary Solly Phetoe on 0823044055.

Seminar to update public on Marikana massacre

Equal Education together with Ndifuna Ukwazi will hold a seminar: “The Mines, The Police, The State. What happened at Marikana?” This is their second seminar in their 20:20 seminar series - 20 seminars for 20 years of democracy.

Equal Education says what happened at Markiana is an issue that Parliament has failed to adequately address. They invite the public to attend.

Speakers include Nomzamo Zondo, a lawyer representing the Marikana families, and Simphiwe Booi, a mineworker from Marikana. The discussion will be chaired by Zackie Achmat from Ndifuna Ukwazi.

The seminar will be at the University of the Western Cape Science Block, theatre 4 on 13 February 2014 at 17:30 for 18:00.

Fighting corruption digitally

Corruption Watch has partnered with Mxit, Indigo New Media and Concursive Corporation to provide South Africans with digital collaborative platforms to engage on issues of corruption. The organization has also embarked on advocacy advertising to raise awareness and mobilise the public against corruption.

“We think of ourselves and those who report corruption as a community of activists – the platforms provide tools for these activists to take the conversation further,” said Corruption Watch’s executive director David Lewis. “We ultimately hope that government joins in the conversation with ordinary South Africans to help fight corruption.”

Online communities to fight corruption will be formed using the Mxit App (CorruptionWatchconnect), now available on both feature and smart phones, and the Concursive mobile app which is available for smart phones only.

To access the platform go to http://corruptionwatchconnected.org

The organisation is also running an advert that features Corruption Watch staff doing all the things they fight against every day.

You can see the advert on Youtube: http://bit.ly/1gls4nY

For more information:
David Lewis – 082 576 3748
Bongi Mlangeni – 076 862 9086