Statement

The Veterans’ League (VL) held its quarterly National Executive Committee meeting on 28 February 2025. At this meeting, the group reflected on the current situation locally and internationally, assessed the state of the organisation, and confirmed priorities for the next quarter.

In his political report, ANC VL President Snuki Zikalala reflected on Donald Trump’s inauguration as president of America, the death of our soldiers and the unfolding situation in the DRC, and the fact that the GNU failed to reach a consensus on the national budget.  The VL Secretary-General, Ilva Mackay Langa, reported on progress in building the VL and the work of its structures.

Failure to approve the national budget

VL President Snuki Zikalala said that over the years, our national budget processes’ predictability and participative nature have been admired and respected locally and abroad. The Cabinet postponed the  delivery of the national budget because there was no consensus in the GNU on a proposed two per cent point increase in VAT.

In his budget speech, which was subsequently released, the Minister of Finance argued that this VAT increase was necessary to increase the reach and amount of the SRD grant, pay teachers and doctors, enable children to start school earlier and provide better rail transport.   There were insufficient funds to pay for these essential items to address poverty and inequality.

But this moment has been long coming. Since former President Zuma increased public spending (and abused it), it has become more difficult for us to reach a consensus on a macroeconomic approach,  the size of our debt burden, and, more importantly, on making hard trade-offs.

As the Veterans League, we call for constructive, informed, and sober debate as we face this budget crisis. We should avoid drastic expenditure slashing along the lines of what Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are trying today. We should also be mindful of the sentiment of our people who struggle with high unemployment and the ongoing high cost of living. We can’t afford a tax revolt like Kenya recently experienced.

Arising out of this situation, the Veterans League will advocate for:

• Ensuring that the GNU’s structures to resolve disputes work, such as the clearing house operate effectively.
• Supporting COSATU ‘s proposal on ensuring greater efficiency on the part of SARS to collect the billions of rands that are currently not collected instead of taxing the poor.
• Better planning, budgeting and sequencing of the implementation of new legislation so that there are not unfunded mandates.
• Greater public discourse on taxation and public financing choices. It may be possible to show our people that VAT is a progressive tax and does not hit the poorest the hardest, but implementing it in a rush and up by two percentage points is not the way to go.

Making Apartheid Great Again (MAGA) must be stopped in its tracks.

The speed at which American leaders have undermined democracy in their country and the world has been staggering and unprecedented in recent times. We are back at crude imperialism, where President Trump wants Ukraine’s rare minerals in exchange for ending the war. Just as when the colonial powers carved up Africa in the absence of any African leaders,  President Trump aims to carve up the Middle East and Central Asia in the interests of a coterie of businessmen and himself.

As some have commented, President Trump’s strategy, following his former strategist Steve Bannon, is to ‘flood the zone’ with initiatives.  As South Africans, this reminds us of the State of Emergencies we experienced in the 1980s.  However, we were able to resist and be resilient through strategies and tactics that we may need to return to and share with democratic and progressive forces who are similarly under attack.

As South Africans, we need to respond proactively and in solidarity to this situation, which can hurt our people, especially those who have been impacted by the sudden closure of clinics and organisations providing support to HIV-positive and other vulnerable groups. 

We should be building new partners and new resilience in our exports so we don’t have to rely on AGOA.  We should be funding our own HIV clinics for vulnerable groups and not have to rely on USAID.  We must use the opportunity of G20 to build relationships with other countries as well as mobilise the broadest possible coalition against right-wing governments and groups who are bent on taking the world back to a racist colonial era.

The Veterans League will be part of the celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the Freedom Charter. We believe we should use this opportunity to build social cohesion amongst freedom-loving South Africans against this frightened minority of South Africans who want to Make Apartheid Great Again. We need to show that South Africa truly belongs to all who live in it.

Organisational issues

The NEC meeting also reflected on the progress made in the VL’s three priorities: organising the Veterans League, renewing the ANC, and improving service delivery as we work towards the 2026 local government elections.

ANC renewal

The Veterans League remains committed to leading the effort to renew the ANC. Last year, the Veterans League took the lead in two areas. First, we demanded that individuals who bring the organisation into disrepute have no role in the ANC, especially not as public representatives. We demanded that action should be taken against them by the ANC Secretary General’s Office, and this has materialised. Second, we led in developing the compulsory Foundation Course, which is the political education programme that is now compulsory for all ANC members, including those who want to stand for public office.

This year, we will continue to support the roll out of political education and will also campaign for amendments to the ANC Constitution so that screening of membership and tighter criteria for branch membership are institutionalised.

Building the Veterans League

The NEC congratulated Gauteng and KZN on their hard work as they prepared for provincial conferences before June this year. At the VL National Conference in July 2023, the VL membership in good standing was 2340.  Since then our membership has increased 25%.

Commemoration of the 70^th anniversary of the birth of the SACTU

The South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU) was founded on 5 March 1955, while COSATU will celebrate its 40^th anniversary on 1 December.  Amongst the ranks of veterans, there are individuals have been instrumental in establishing and growing both organisations.

The VL and COSATU will jointly host an event on 5 March to honour the legacy of SACTU by sharing lessons between the generations of trade unionists and considering efforts to achieve worker unity. This is particularly important as we witness workers in other countries, such as America, voting for right-wing parties.

Awards to veterans

The NEC meeting recognised that on January 8^th, three veterans received the highest award of the ANC, the Isithwalandwe Seaparankoe. This was received by Mme Dr Mana Mildred Ramakaba Lesiea from the Western Cape, Oom Benson Fihla from the Eastern Cape and Dr Tlou Theophillus Cholo from Gauteng.  Dr Cholo will be turning 100 this year.

Finally, the meeting observed a minute’s silence to honour the passing away on 16 January 2025 of Cde Keith Mokoape, one of the NEC members.

Ends

For comment, please contact Snuki Zikalala on 082 561 3900

To attend the SACTU commemoration event on 5 March 2025,
contact Nonzuzo Dlamini on 076 390 0795 or Nonzuzo@cosatu.org.za