SAFTU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi has clarified that the federation has not agreed to participate in the proposed “Conference of the Left” linked to the SACP, saying no formal decision has been taken by its structures.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Media
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) has clarified that it has not agreed to participate in the proposed “Conference of the Left” linked to the South African Communist Party (SACP), saying no formal decision has been taken by its structures.
SAFTU said it had not held any formal engagement with the SACP leadership regarding participation in the initiative.
SAFTU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said, “SAFTU has not held any formal meeting with the leadership of the SACP regarding participation in the proposed Conference of the Left.”
He further said that no structures within the federation had discussed or resolved whether it would take part in or associate itself with the proposed conference.
“No constitutional structure of SAFTU has discussed, debated, or resolved whether the federation will participate in or associate itself with the conference,” Vavi said.
SAFTU said any suggestion that it had already committed to or endorsed the initiative was incorrect and misleading.
“Any suggestion that SAFTU has already committed itself to the conference, endorsed the initiative, or agreed to form part of it is therefore incorrect and misleading,” Vavi said.
The federation emphasised that it remains a democratic, worker-controlled organisation, adding that such decisions cannot be made informally or by individuals acting outside of its structures.
SAFTU said it was aware of the circulated programme and discussion framework for the proposed “Conference of the Left,” which seeks to bring together trade unions, community organisations, social movements, political formations, cooperatives and progressive intellectuals to discuss challenges facing the working class and prospects for left renewal in South Africa.
Vavi said SAFTU remains committed to the broader objective of rebuilding working-class unity and strengthening struggles against austerity, neoliberalism, unemployment, inequality, corruption and privatisation.
“As SAFTU has consistently stated over many years, the federation remains deeply committed to the strategic objective of rebuilding working-class unity and strengthening struggles against austerity, neoliberalism, unemployment, inequality, corruption, privatisation, and the broader capitalist crisis confronting workers and the poor,” Vavi said.
He added that the federation continues to support working-class solidarity and engagement among progressive forces, but warned that complex political and strategic questions still needed to be properly debated within its structures.
SAFTU cautioned against any attempts to present it as aligned to positions or initiatives that have not been formally processed.
''The federation, therefore, cautions against attempts by any individuals or organisations to prematurely present SAFTU as already aligned to positions or initiatives that have not been formally processed through its structures.''
The federation said it would communicate transparently should its structures decide to formally engage the matter.
''No person is authorised to speak on behalf of SAFTU, claiming that the federation has resolved to participate in the conference,'' said Vavi.
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