About this site

This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. It is the product of almost two decades of research and includes analyses, chronologies, historical documents, and interviews from the apartheid and post-apartheid eras.

Political Policy

COSATU believes in a democratic society free of racism, sexism and the exploitation of the working class. We believe in a society where workers have full control over their lives. We are determined to work with other democratic forces to do away with all forms of oppression and exploitation.

From our inception, we have always believed in the need for broad fronts to achieve our political and socio-economic struggles. Together with the UDF and its affiliates we were involved in struggles that brought about the current dispensation.

When political organisations were unbanned, the ANC, SACP and COSATU agreed to work together as a Revolutionary Alliance (Tripartite Alliance, the Alliance). The Alliance is centered around short, medium to long terms goals of the National Democratic Revolution - the establishment of a democratic and non-racial South Africa, economic transformation and continued process of political and economic democratisation.

The 6th National Congress resolved that the Alliance remains the only vehicle capable of bringing about fundamental transformation in South Africa. Despite difficulties and challenges of the transition including certain differences over approaches to macro-economic policies, we are working out a transformation programme for the Alliance, based on the RDP. These independent organisations also have separate but complementary programmes. COSATU and the SACP are also committed to the struggle for socialism.

This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. Return to theThis resource is hosted by the site.