“It is to the ANC MPs’ shame that it was left to opposition MPs from the Freedom Front Plus and the ACDP to defend the principles of a non-racial parliament open to all South Africans.”
Cosatu said its officials planned to take the matter further with the Chief Whip and Speaker. The union federation stressed that it was a non-racial organisation that has a proud history of fighting apartheid and rejecting racism in all its forms.
“We believe that all workers‚ regardless of race‚ should organise and unite and we are proud of the immense contribution that many white‚ coloured and Indian compatriots have made in not only fighting apartheid but in building this country. We will fight race hustlers like the EFF and their race baiting tendencies‚ the same way we fight arrogant and entitled white supremacists.
“Non-racialism is the life blood of the democratic South Africa and thousands of our heroes and heroines were imprisoned‚ tortured and died for this principle.”
Explaining its position on the proposed change to the constitution‚ Cosatu said Section 25 already empowered the state sufficiently to advance land reform and restitution and redistribution.
“The federation has made it clear that in our quest to expropriate land from white people‚ we need not be short-sighted and throw the baby with the bathwater.
“Section 25 of the Constitution is important because it protects the poor from a possible abuse by a future government. If this clause is removed without any thoughtful process‚ there is a real possibility that a future government can use the same clause against the workers and the poor.”