Workers’ Day: The Struggle Continues – Voices of the Working Class

Hinzugefügt: 2026-05-03

[00:00:00]As the EFF, we are the only political party that is stands for the workers and the working class as it is outlined in our founding manifesto. We have um a a we have experienced and we have lived the reality that the working class and the workers in the country makes up the percentage that is higher. However, they are the most marginalized community. If we we we insource this domestic workers, if we insource security officers, if we insource h farm workers, if we insource e all these people that are being outsourced, their services are being outsourced, we'll be saving a lot. One for government, two will be developing and promoting and protecting the lives of our people. So that's that is basically what the insourcing bill is all about. So this bill is one of the bills that will enforce also the living wage. Don't not the minimum wage. As the EFF we yes we acknowledge the minimum wage but we are pushing for the living wage. A wage that you will make sure that as a person if you have kids you are able to pay for their school fees.

[00:01:22]You are able to pay for their e health services. You are able to even take care of the family.

[00:01:30]>> Revolutionary greetings to our listeners and welcome to the EFF National Podcast.

[00:01:35]A platform where we hold space for honest conversations, lived experiences, and the realities shaping our nations, your host with the most. Today we mark Workers Day, a day that is meant to honor the struggles, the sacrifices, and the victories of the working class. But for many South Africans, this is not just a day of celebration. It is a reminder that the fight is not over.

[00:02:07]Because while some workers celebrate today, many are still underpaid, many are still outsourced, exploited, and many are still unheard. And today in studio, we're joined by someone who is actively working to change that reality.

[00:02:25]Someone who holds institutions accountable in parliament. Someone who speaks for the voiceless. Please help me welcome Honorable Mule who serves on the Labor Law and Unemployment Committee under the EFF.

[00:02:41]>> Thank you. Thank you so much for joining us.

[00:02:44]>> Thank you very much for inviting me on this special day where we commemorate not only celebrating but commemorate those who have passed on because of the injustices of the past. who has passed on because of the exploitation at the workplace. I I am really honored.

[00:03:08]>> Oh, thank you so much. I think let's start here. You know, on a day like today, which is workers day, um thousands and thousands of people are celebrating, but in the same breath, many are still exploited as you had mentioned through outsourcing. So I want to understand right what is the current status um of the insourcing bill in the committee and how will it legally force the state to hire workers directly?

[00:03:36]>> Yes, thank you very much. You know as the EFF we are the only political party that is stands for the workers and the working class as it is outlined in our founding manifesto. We have um h a we have experienced and we have lived the reality that the working class and the workers in the country makes up the percentage that is higher. However, they are the most marginalized community. Now in our researchers and everything that we have done as a as an organization as the only political party, we made it a point that we go out, we listen to our people, we listen to the patrol attendants, we listen to the domestic workers, we listen to the to the security h officers, we listen to gardeners, we listen to farmers, we listen to everyone who is at the marginalized level of employment. Now we found out that the government that we supposedingly to have protect these people are the one that exploits them through their legislations. There's no legislations that protects these people.

[00:04:56]There's no legislations that safeguard their profits and their their well-beings. Now after doing all these things we see it dim by the organization to say why is the government outsourcing the most critical services that can be insourced in a public sector that can be insourced in an entities that are led by government. Then we said h we we did our research we find out that h e companies will for instance charge government for one security I will make an example with securities >> they will charge government not less than 20,000 for one security h officer however that person will only gets order of that money, your 4.5, your 5,000 and and that and that bureaucracy of a middleman makes it difficult for this person to mend and to take care of their families. So we we introduce this bill to to parliament through our TG to say let us deal with the injustices of the past. Let us bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. Let us when we when you insource we are pushing into uh dealing with the de h demolishing or yes of of tenders we need tenders to be ripped out we we know we don't need tenders that is one of the most important factor as as the EFF we are we want a state that is capacitated that will be able to take care of its own people. So if we we we insource these domestic workers, if we insource security officers, if we insource h farm workers, if we insource e all these people that are being outsourced, their services are being outsourced. We'll be saving a lot. One for government, two will be developing and promoting and protecting the lives of our people. So that's that is basically what the insourcing bill is all about in a layman's term. But if we have to outline it to to suit the narrative, then I will urge South Africans to go through our website, read and when we come to do public participation, they must come with a a a a issues that will then assist us to win the majority in government in parliament to make sure that this bill becomes an act and it is enforced and uh whoever that is responsible to implement it, it's well implemented and it's well monitored because h for a a a bill to be an act in parliament, it can be there and no one will then gets to take it and make sure that it is implemented and it's well monitored. So we are we are advocating for that as as DFF. Yes.

[00:08:24]>> Okay. tell us for you know for someone maybe sitting at home who might not necessarily fully understand um what exactly is the insourcing bill and how would it practically improve the lives of the ordinary South African? Yes, you I I I already mentioned Oh, yes. I've already said that for me coming from Madigu in in the northwest it's it's a it's a place that is not known >> and I'm sitting there and I hear over the radio the radio is talking about insourcing and I'm being employed as a security >> guard in in in in in the department of justice I don't understand I don't have UIF I don't have Provident fund. I don't have qua. I don't have compensation fund. I don't have anything. I would say to them if this bill is implemented all those laws that are being not being implemented by government. If the bill of insourcing is implemented, it's going to be easy for you to take care of your family, for you to have the benefits as a worker. Remember, I will set an example a nonvel that when I grew up, my mother was a cleaner in the clinic.

[00:09:52]>> I used to sleep in the those stretchers when he was working at night, right? But what did she earn? She was earning less.

[00:10:04]H because there was no law that protects >> protected them >> them as domestic workers you know so this bill is one of the bills that will enforce also the living wage don't not the minimum wage as the EFF we yes we acknowledge the minimum wage but we are pushing for the living wage a wage that you will make sure that as a person if you have kids you are able to pay for their school fee is you are able to pay for their e health services. You are able to even take care of the family. So so so so this bill >> basically it does that it it addresses the injustices of the past. It addresses the inequality. It addresses also the unemployment >> because most of the time you will hear from from from the as say saying the the unemployment has gone out up has gone down there's no such the level of unemployment in South Africa is stagnant you know why I'm saying that I'm saying that because the sectors that are employing our people now are the sectors that are seasonal.

[00:11:25]>> You go to your contract workers, it's it's a seasonal thing. After that contract lapses, where will these people go? They will still go back to the streets unemployed. When you go to other sectors that are seasonal, your your farming, if the the season is is done, those people are going to go back to being unemployed. But if the state is capacitated, we have an industry that deals with agroprocessed materials or agroprocessed products. These people when the the the season of harvesting ends, they go to an industry where they process those products, it goes back to the market and it gets being sold. So the work will then rotate like that. But if we we still stagnant in a situation where we find ourselves as South Africans, South Africa will always be a a a country where unemployment is at 30% and more. And if we if if we are not pushing if we are not making sure that as the EFF we take an initiative to every day, you know, you must every time listen to what we say in parliament. We emphasize the issue of state capacity.

[00:12:47]Once the state capa the state is capacitated all these things that we see as challenges are going to be dealt with. I was in Brazil a month ago. I went Brazil with a a a a population of more than 250 million.

[00:13:08]>> They have nationalized.

[00:13:12]They have state bank.

[00:13:15]>> They have, you know, everything that they do is from the state. They build houses from the state. They create jobs.

[00:13:23]They know who is who, where because why?

[00:13:27]They have a system that identify everybody. If you have an ID number, they just punch that ID number.

[00:13:36]Will come out and they know that the benefited on this service of government.

[00:13:40]we must move from this service and put this to that and it it it works well with with the community systems are running. So whatever that we advocate for as the EFF there are countries that are practicing that and it's doable.

[00:13:57]Some of the people when we speak about them they think ah this is fallacy this is just >> it's just a a lip service how are you going to do >> yes [laughter] you understand so it it becomes it becomes like that so so if we can capacitate state have industries build industries for sustainable >> jobs not job opportunity ities but jobs.

[00:14:29]If we capacitate state that will lead to our people being not entpreneurs but well business people that will create jobs for those who are there. If we can nationalize the banks and key sectors and have a state bank not that nonsense that e is there of post bank where you don't know whether it's coming in or coming or going out. If we can have the state bank that will then a give our people an opportunity to to have a a a a active economy, you know, you know, with less rates, you are able to do whatever that you want. If we have land, you are able to do whatever that you that you want. I think we are going to change South Africa to be a better country for all.

[00:15:21]>> Of course. Yes. You know, there's also um the employment service uh services amendment bill that is under review, right? Um the EFF also has a strong pan-African uh Africanist position. Yes.

[00:15:34]>> But at the same time, there is, you know, pressure to kind of prioritize um South Africans especially um in low-skilled jobs um in low skill jobs like retail and hospitality. Um how are you balancing those two realities?

[00:15:50]First we must understand the position of the EFF and EFF is an internationalist organization in its own character and we are advocating for unity of Africa.

[00:16:07]You know those people that you are talking about >> um are people that comes from >> other countries >> of Africa.

[00:16:16]>> Yeah. whether legal or >> or not >> or or not.

[00:16:21]But we must first ask ourselves how did they come into our country?

[00:16:28]How do they access our borders?

[00:16:32]If we can deal with the issue of borders in South Africa, made sure that the borders are in such a way that they are accommodative and they are protecting the country will be able to address the influx of people in South Africa.

[00:16:56]>> Those people they come to South Africa for many reasons. uh us on the ground we meet them you know my my home town it's in where my father comes from is in suping start >> suping start is 40ks from Botswana >> when I visit my father's home I go to Botswana to paw patrol the kettle of my father's family they graze in Botswana there are people that comes from from Botswana every day to come to South Africa to do shopping not only work. So that on its own it tells you >> the kind of the relationship we are having. You can speak about Switzerland, others can speak about Mozambique, others can speak about Zimbabwe and the likes.

[00:17:49]>> Now when they come to South Africa they come for various reasons.

[00:17:55]Why can't government get this thing right?

[00:18:00]>> Is because they are trying to please the imperialist system >> to say we have captured them. We are sending them back. We have captured them. We are arresting them.

[00:18:12]>> Prisons are full of people h that comes from outside.

[00:18:19]>> Same way that you say you are solving a problem. the taxpayers main money is feeding these people. So as the organization we are saying why don't you why don't you document them why why don't you record them you must know who is in your country there are systems why don't you make sure that the borders are not porous why don't you protect the borders right I don't I don't believe in the narrative that says h foreigners are are taking work for South Africans I don't believe in that >> you know why I'm not believing is because the very same system of capitalism is the very same system that does human trafficking.

[00:19:05]>> They are the ones who go to those countries and bring these people into our country so that they can exploit them.

[00:19:13]>> Right? But if the the the the system is well protected, we'll be able to know that in company A and company B, these are the principles. These are the policies that govern those. There are works that can be preserved only for South Africans, work that can be preserved for foreigners for their skills that they are bringing into into into the country.

[00:19:41]So if we can have a system of monitoring right at the border level, we can make sure that these people when they come into the country, what are they here for? You know in America I I don't want to make this example but I have to do [laughter] it to say in America when you go there on a a tourist visa is that they call it tourist visa. Yeah. Tourism visa. When you go to America with that visa they know that you are in in their country.

[00:20:14]You are there for how many days? Where are you going to stay? For how long? How much do you have? Yes. And how are you going to spend that?

[00:20:23]>> Why can't we do that systems if we want to protect and also why are we only doing it more into black that comes from Africa?

[00:20:35]>> We've got so many Asians that comes to our country. We've got so many white people go to to Cape Town. You'll find [snorts] it through labor. When we bring them to our offices, you'll find that they they don't have documents.

[00:21:05]he stays in the country in our country and then no one is taking care of that.

[00:21:09]But if we have the system that will then monitor you'll be able to to do the right thing. We we we we we are saying we are advocating for the unity of Africa and we are not ashamed to say that we are going to make sure that Africa becomes one because Africa has never been a a continent. It has it has it has been a home for black Africa Africans who who endured I if if I can if we can trace your your your lineage you find that you come somewhere my lineage the Mis when we trace them we found out that we come somewhere in Saga >> yes so if you trace yourself all of us we come from somewhere in Africa we come from somewhere in Africa But because of the interest of the imperialist and the capitalist, they made sure that they divide us and they made sure that we always fight amongst ourselves. I think it's high time that Africa, >> especially black Africans, they see the importance of uniting so that we can be we can protect our minerals. We can protect the wealth that is in our country for the betterment of the country and the continent. We can do that. It's is doable.

[00:22:33]>> Interesting.

[00:22:33]>> Yes.

[00:22:34]>> Um I mean the bill as well doesn't immediately cancel contract rights. It just allows them to expire.

[00:22:40]>> Yes. Practically speaking, how will the state ensure that the department um the departments are ready to you know take over take over when those contracts end without you know disrupting the the service you know when when when I give you a tender for 3 months.

[00:23:00]>> Sure. for three years. Let me say for argument sake in the second year you are able to then formalize the transition.

[00:23:12]>> Once you in in that period you formalize the transition into being insourcing it's going to be easy. Erh uh we we are urging that the the the the responsible department must make sure that there's a data where it will then monitor the transition from being a contract worker to be insourced. We did it in in Jobec. We did it in Egi currently I think if I'm not mistaken is it's a doable thing. The transition period is most important because then now the HR department will be able to then absorb in a technical manner of putting those people into the data of the department. Align the budgets properly to suit the needs and the living wages of these people. And then after that when the contract expires is then that the time for you to be formally employed as a as a as a as a as a employee of a particular department or a particular entity of government. And when we get it right at that level of government, it will then cascade easily to to company big companies because there are big companies that outsource these services to say I'm a I'm a big company. I can't be dealing with HR >> issues. Let me just appoint a broker to do this thing for for me. But that a a a work it's a work that can't be you know is a work that is there cleaning it's is is done every day.

[00:25:04]>> H security guards they will always be there to to guard our our things and we will then cut the middleman. Once we cut the middleman all those benefits I like it there because when you cut a middleman you also cut corruption.

[00:25:22]>> Yes.

[00:25:23]>> You know we also cut corruption because in this awarding of tenders so much corrupt activities happens. You see what is happening in Malanga is because of tendering. But if that service was insourced, nurses were appointed, you know, doctors were appointed within the department of subs.

[00:25:47]>> Everybody was appointed, you will come to work doing your day-to-day job, but because they wanted to enrich an individual at the expense of the >> other people. The EFF has also consistently called for a living wage as you had mentioned earlier, right? And right now we are sitting at a minimum of of around 30 rand.23 cents per hour. Um what is the actual figure that we are pushing for in the upcoming review that would realistically as you had mentioned allow workers to be able to afford just basic things like food, electricity and I guess basic dignity.

[00:26:25]>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yo, you when we started the EFF, I will take you back then.

[00:26:33]It was because of the uprisings of the Maragana M workers, >> right? Those mine workers were saying to a very huge company called Lon, >> out of everything that we are doing, just give us 12,500.

[00:26:54]That's all. That's all that we are looking for.

[00:26:57]When you categorize the payment in terms of hours and in terms of it is never enough.

[00:27:07]>> But if we say to workers to the government, >> sure >> domestic workers, this is how much that we want.

[00:27:17]>> Back then we said 3,500.

[00:27:20]>> Sure.

[00:27:21]>> But now is 3,500 enough? No, >> it's not enough. It can't even fill a 2.4 >> baggy >> with petrol.

[00:27:33]>> And amongst other things, we as civilians, we are paying for fuel levy, we are paying for v. We are paying for income tax. Whatever that you earn, you pay for it. We are paying for so many taxes. So just imagine if you have to go if you can calculate 30 30 rand 20 cent by 8 hours times 30 how much will it give you?

[00:28:05]>> Sure.

[00:28:06]>> You can't you can't travel from Tbisa to Johannesburg with that amount. Most of our people are still staying at the outskirts >> of where the actual economy is and work is.

[00:28:21]>> It's a very complex matter. However, because it is it is a legislation, we're going to do a a a a submission like we did. We thank God and we thank the department that they took. We we really recommended the 30 >> in our submissions previously. We're going to do the same thing to say let it >> be matched with the inflation. Our submission it will depend on the inflation. If we can mesh it with the inflation rate and we match it with the current economic >> situation that we find ourselves in. erh will be able to speak on behalf of our people to make sure that the living wage is not just a talk show but is a real reality that they have to live in and you know that 30 thou 30 rand 20 cents it's only for a particular sector there are various sectors within you've got your your your your hospitality you've got your you know you've got so many sectors so if we can make sure that all these sectors are in a level where they can be they can afford you know there's no huge no one is left behind and they enjoy to even participate in the economy and the development of the growth of the economy within within the country. It can only happen when the state is capacitated >> and and we we we we generate a a a a a more income in terms of of of of of the economy and the businesses. Yes. I think if we can do that, it will also play pay play huge role. Yes. We've also seen uh organizations like Kosatu um Satawu supporting the bill, right? Is this or would you say this is the beginning of a real workers front in parliament that is led by the EFF?

[00:30:34]Yes. Um I don't believe anything that the Kosatis say.

[00:30:43]You must check where Kosatu comes from.

[00:30:47]>> The formation of course of of the the unions and the federations. It was as a result of the pressure that the capitalist was getting from the struggle of workers.

[00:31:01]That's when they sat down and they agreed that how do we manage these people?

[00:31:06]>> And then they found a way of managing us. M >> they created unions, they created federations.

[00:31:16]And after creating unions and federations, they put laws that for instance in in in the constitution section 23, it says workers have got the rights. You know what are those rights?

[00:31:34]>> What are the rights?

[00:31:36][laughter] to belong to have a a union and to service the union.

[00:31:43]>> How >> you you can ask yourself and to to strike. Right.

[00:31:49]>> Right. And then when you have this rights section 26 if I'm not mistaken or 31 30 26 or 31 it says when you strike the employer has the right to lock you out and boo and them they did not see this thing as a problem. contradicting yourself.

[00:32:14]>> You contradicting yourself, right? And then h they say we have [snorts] worked so hard. We have fought for the rights of the workers.

[00:32:25]>> H even for employers to give us offices in in their employment.

[00:32:33]You come, you represent people, workers in the EFF. You are a union, right? M >> and then as a union EFF gives you an office and pay your salary. Who are you going to speak on behalf?

[00:32:50]>> The hands that feeds you >> that feeds you.

[00:32:52]>> You understand? That is why G we are saying they they are not genuine in the fight of >> a the struggle of workers. So they will they will they will they will support but on the other hand they will have some other ways of doing it. However, as the EFF like you said, we're going to be at the forefront of the bill. We're going to every time when it's time for us to submit through our parliamentary systems. are going to make sure that we submit the the the propo proposals that are for the workers and the working class to for as long as workers are not liberated the entire country won't be liberated and for as long as workers are still at at at at the backlash of the of the economy we are not going to have a lively and active community. So we need to make sure that we address the the the the the interest of the workers and the working class to make sure that they benefit from the sweat of the struggle.

[00:34:07]>> Yeah. How does you know the committee ensure that supported employment uh enterprises are not just spoken about but are actually supported um through obviously procurement uh to create meaningful opportunities uh for people uh living with disabil disabilities.

[00:34:28]Thank you very much um for that question. [sighs] When you check the statistics of people living with disabilities >> as government we we set government set the target for themselves >> but they are the ones who are not >> failing >> achieving their own target.

[00:34:55]they they they don't have that willingness >> to make sure that they develop people with disability. So as the EFF we have been at the forefront in terms of our systems and in terms of our committees in terms of our sub political CCT subcommittees to make sure that there's a benefit for entpreneurs that are disabled that department is led by Kissa Babala.

[00:35:29]He's all she's all over the country making sure that she takes each and every person that benefit that have to benefit from the system benefits. We we as the labor desk of the EFF we go we crisscross the country to make sure that we get these people. The department has a system a a a program uh that is called labor activation program. that program it's it's a program that was initiated to boost >> the entrepreneurs but you know what they do they take money >> of course >> they give it to people who are not qualified >> companies that are not qualified companies that are aligned to the ANC companies that are aligned to some leaders within the ANC and they give them a huge chunk of money >> to create training and also to create jobs after the training has been done in various sectors. So we are saying as the as the EFF why don't you take that money put it in the department there must be a directorate that monitors this money >> and the directorate within the department of labor that deals with training and upgrading of a entrepreneurs especially people with disabilities young people youth and gradu Make sure that you it it is it is benefiting the people. We are pushing that. It's very difficult.

[00:37:17]They don't have a plan with that labor activation. It was they piloted it in >> northwest KZ and with millions. Northwest I remember it's like they have allocated it not less than 720 million >> plus KZN I'm not sure 800 and something million there are millions that are allocated to those but if you want to trace those service providers others are not qualified others you can't find them others they are just others don't exist others they just submit attendance registers for the purposes of them getting paid. So if we we we capacitate this department, there's a lot of money that is being chneled to this department and make sure that the very same act is well monitored. The mechanisms of monitoring the very same acts that we are having to make sure that the money of government, the taxpayers money are used effectively to benefit and to create jobs. not only opportunities but jobs for young people, jobs for disabled people and jobs for women because we are we are the most in terms of the population. And yet we are the ones that are still having to struggle to get >> paid as equal as our counterparts as men. And if you are a if you are a black woman, it's worse because yeah, the system just shut you down. So we are we are trying our best and we hope if people can register to vote and vote properly and give us a chance in the upcoming local government elections we're going to make sure that in the municipalities that we are going to govern these policies of ours are going to benefit the people on the ground and are going to benefit the most vulnerable people on the ground.

[00:39:22]Interesting. Mama, workers day is often also like we say a day that we celebrate but obviously in our country it it carries very heavy history, right? The Americana massacre that remains one of the darkest moments in in in our democracy, right?

[00:39:42]Uh it's also a painful reminder that the struggle for you know workers a workers's dignity was not complete. And you know, as the EFF as well, we continue to, [clears throat] you know, host um host rallies on workers day in the Northwest. You know, do you do you feel or you know, is this um is this about preserving the memory um of those that lost their lives or about uh holding uh President Sil Raaposa um accountable?

[00:40:12]And also in that, while we're still on that, how do we ensure that the sacrifices of those 34 miners um remain central and and not just symbolic, you know, but driving real policy change.

[00:40:27]>> Thank you very much for that question.

[00:40:29]It touches our our minds and our hearts.

[00:40:34]Um like I said from the beginning, the EFF was formed as a result of that action in Marana.

[00:40:43]>> Um uh we we draw our strength of the struggle of workers from that action.

[00:40:54]>> And as we are sitting here, no one has been held accountable >> including Ramaposa himself.

[00:41:03]who initiated the attack and the brutal killing of those workers.

[00:41:11]>> We as the EFF will never allow what happened in my Gana to die a silent day.

[00:41:20]It it set a tone for a new struggle or a persuation of a struggle towards the emancipation of the people especially the workers. That's why the EFF contributed to the families of the Marana victims. We have a solid relationship with those people and we are not doing it because we want to be noticed as the organization. We are doing it because >> it is it is it is important to do that and it reflects the reason why we exist as the organization >> also. what we need to do and what we will pursue doing. We will forever have a relationship whether somebody decide otherwise about this.

[00:42:17]>> We are going to make sure that those that are supposed to be held responsible are held responsible. H we are fighting through our legal teams. you know the cases that the EFF has partnered with the workers and and and trying to resolve this matter and making sure that the families and the people and the community of Marana you know if you can go to Marana now >> when it's raining we are scared because the weather is saying on Friday it will be raining >> yes >> there are no roots those people part of the things that they were fighting for is for the better life, >> is for better living environment, >> conditions, >> better living conditions, you know, better salaries so that they can be able to take care of their families. when Marana is one of the areas that produces top class platinum in Africa.

[00:43:24]>> They produces chrome in Africa. But if you go there the the the the capitalist have closed for these people to be able to benefit what is due to them as the organization will make sure that this day marks the significance and we commemorate it in their lives. We'll make sure that their spirit will live long not only for that. will make sure that their families and those that comes after will know that there was this organization that is the EFF led by commander in chief that made sure that their cries are not in vain. We are the only political party if you can check now that speaks about what happened in Marana from 2013 until today. There's no other political part even the AMU itself that claims to represent the workers there. Now they can they take their events outside of Maran >> during that day the the the day where people were were massacred. Now AMU takes it away. But the relationship that we are having with the people of Marana and the workers of Marana will never go in vain as the organization will make sure that they get the benefits that they deserve accordingly and those that are held responsible like your police that police commissioners everybody.

[00:45:03]Ramaposa that time Jacob Zuma was the president.

[00:45:09]Minister unfortunately may his soul rest in peace. Natim tto was the was the minister. All those people that were involved must be held accountable and it can only be the EFF that speaks on the behalf of this workers. So we we we we are inviting our people in all corners to join us as we commemorate this day as we [snorts] will be listening to the message of support from our commander in chief Julius Loma h to speak on the interest of the workers and the struggle of the workers and the working class in the country in Africa and in a diaspora.

[00:45:54]Yes.

[00:45:55]You know the EFF has often said the system that led Marana still exists.

[00:46:01]>> Yes.

[00:46:01]>> Right.

[00:46:03]>> What specific structural changes are you pushing for in parliament to dismantle the system completely?

[00:46:15]>> [clears throat] >> The position of the EFF was that this system of government governance that we are in >> does not speaks to the reality of our people.

[00:46:28]>> But we can't speak about it in the outskirts without coming inside and take the political power. Once we take the political power, we'll be able to usher in socialism and and and and so we we are pushing for a regime change.

[00:46:52]>> Sure. a regime change in such a way that the very system of democratic system that is there we like our programs that we are doing now of creating our own voter base that is the young people that understand the struggle of a decolonized education that understands the struggle of nationalization that understands the struggle of a a expropriation of land without compensation that understands that the government needs to be accountable and the state needs to lead at the forefront of any challenge that the community it's it's it's having once we take a political power will be able to usher in all these policies that are outlined in our founding manifesto. the the the the the experiences that we we spoke about in our founding manifesto and the the living reality that we find ourselves in. So we it is important the regime change the change now it it can only come through the votes. M >> that [snorts] is why it is important when I'm with ground forces and doing doortodoor I always tells them you know the white people h they don't care who leads them in Cape Town for as long as that person pushes their needs and their >> agendas they make sure that they vote for that person they use their power to vote but with us what we have exper experience from the ruling party of the ANC that we have analyzed in our founding manifesto that in a long run it will die its natural death and it's happening >> but the problem that we are having our people are not voting they just choose not to vote so so so the struggle of of our people >> depends on a regime change >> and The only alternative is the EFF.

[00:49:08]>> There's no any other political party. If you can check the history of other political parties that are there, they pushes for the death of the EFF. Why are they doing that? Because we are the only political party since our inception who have been consistent with the with the rights and the struggle of our people.

[00:49:34]We will continue to do that until we attain a political power.

[00:49:39]>> I will also take this opportunity to say to our people, think twice.

[00:49:46]>> Don't listen to what the media is telling you about the EFF. The EFF has the revolutionary house in in in Marshall Town. Come to our offices, get the information. In all the provinces, we've got provincial offices in all the provinces. We've got subreional, we are the only political party who has sub regional structures that are at the base where our people are. And then that deals with the daytoday struggle of our people at the VD level not at any other level. So if we we associate with our communities, if we make sure that our communities are not perceiving us as the rudy, unruly organization like the oppressors and the imperialist and the system is portraying us to be. H we will gladly be able to address the needs of our people at the VD level. So give us a chance. Give us municipalities in all provinces. We can show you how it is done. We have shown it in Johannesburg with only two MC's.

[00:51:05]We have shown it in Egeni. Even if our our our program was disturbed by a a particular person. Now we have taken our ourelves to another level of of government at the provincial level. So we you can see that we are indeed a political party that is ready to deliver even when you go to the what that are run by the EFF you'll see what we are doing at the ground level we are not talking something that we we are not doing all the words that are run by the word counselors of the EFF those counselors are at the base they stay with the people they always help the people with the needs of the people that needs. So give us that power. Let's change the lives of our people to the better and let's take this country to another heights and another level will make it is doable. Brazilians are doing it. Venezuela was doing was doing it until they disrupted it. So can we as South Africans under the capable leadership of the EFF? Thank you.

[00:52:19]>> Sure. You also recently raised concerns, right? Uh about the underfunding of the inspection and enforcement unit. Yes.

[00:52:28]>> Um how can we celebrate workers day when there aren't enough inspectors as well to you know prevent exploitation especially in [clears throat] sectors like the agricult um agriculture and retail.

[00:52:43]>> Yo it's very painful state of the nation. He said he's employing 10,000 labor inspectors. Guess what he's going to do?

[00:52:56]>> What is he going to do?

[00:52:57]>> He is going to take an unmployed youth for his program that is called yes program [snorts] >> for a period of 6 months for a period of a year for that work.

[00:53:16]Last three months back we were on an oversight as a committee to KZN.

[00:53:23]>> Sure.

[00:53:23]>> We went to [clears throat] Newcastle right where the hub of a a a textile was was.

[00:53:37]When we got there the market has been hijacked by foreigners.

[00:53:42]Those foreigners they they are not compliant right hectic.

[00:53:49]>> Those foreigners are using undocumented people >> and those people they are kept in a cage like they are prisoners. You know if you know a prison cell >> those workers of Newcastle in the textile industry they are kept like that. The space is as big as this room >> for that host about 15 people.

[00:54:20][clears throat] >> That's that it can only happen in a prison but our people are living that reality. Imagine >> and they are caged in such a way that when they move out of the area where they sleep, they go straight to the work and they come back. It's very painful.

[00:54:43]>> If we don't have inspectors that inspects compliance, we are doomed. And I can tell you now even now the budget that is allocated for inspectors and and enforcement unit it's it's a joke.

[00:55:02]>> Yeah.

[00:55:03]>> We will never they are crying inspectors labor inspectors every day they are crying to the EFF labor desk to say come and assist us. There are those who worked for more than 20 years in the system and then the laws were changed to to say h we need people that are qualified those what what do you call a qualification?

[00:55:28]>> Are you calling qualification in a sense of academic qualification or in a sense of experience or in a sense of what? So we are saying to the department and the the the government prioritize inspectors.

[00:55:45]>> Yeah. Make sure that you appoint qualified inspectors and according to the needs of each and every province because each and every province has its own >> service that they render like from from where I come from at the other side Frybeck you'll get cattle farming and maze farming and mines in Rustenburgg and all that when we do that we are going to make sure that h we protect our workers and we are not saying it in jail to please the people outside. We are saying in a sense that we have analyzed the situation and we have the mechanism to say this sector within the department of employment and labor inspectors needs to be not only qualified paid >> paid accordingly because there are allegations that these inspectors when they get into the companies they get bribes and they make sure that the reports that they write about these companies are the reports that um >> speaks well even if we the the company doesn't qualify but because they are not being [clears throat] paid accordingly they will do a a corruption once we get that in department right of inspection and enforcement our our problems will be minimal we'll be able to and we must give them authority you H the legislation is so lenient towards the penalties of employers.

[00:57:30]If you are found to have transgressed especially for the compensation there's a particular amount of money that uh you must pay 500,000 to be the least and imagine if you pay 500,000 >> and you are a loan mean or you are some >> it's like you are taking it from your pocket and pay it and continue to do the wrong thing. But if the law can be strengthened in such a way that h they are even held liable criminally h as employers they are held are liable criminally and the labor courts are effective h we have labor courts in all the provinces will be able to deal with this this matter.

[00:58:20]>> Okay interesting. Um there's also been serious concerns around the around UIF, right, where you exposed over 1.6 billion um in irregular expenditure.

[00:58:31]>> Uh beyond raising awareness, what real consequences is the EFF pushing for? And >> are we talking disciplinary action, criminal charges, or are we speaking both?

[00:58:46]Yo, UFA UFA is the it it's supposed to take care of >> workers that Miracle >> by so many reasons maybe being a dismissed at work or their contracts have been terminated.

[00:59:13]>> Sure.

[00:59:14]>> And these workers are contributing. It's not like it's an insurance but this insurance is not well managed. I will set an example. We have a commissioner now >> that was suspended from 2023.

[00:59:32]>> Sure.

[00:59:33]>> And then he won the case and then he went back to work and then in 2024 that commissioner was suspended again.

[00:59:44]As I'm sitting to you now, that commissioner is getting all the benefits, salary, benefits like that.

[00:59:53]>> Wow.

[00:59:54]>> Like that >> and they are acting commissioners.

[01:00:00]>> Every after when the the sector is starting to to to to to be stabilized, >> they remove the acting. They put another acting.

[01:00:13]It's a mess. But as the EFF, like we said, with our motions, with our speeches, >> deputy minister has promised us that he's going to make sure that this syndicates that are there in the UIF.

[01:00:31]There's a case that he opened, Deputy Minister Cibilla, there's a case that he opened and he promised us that on day on whenever there's a need to report, we we he's going to report as the EFF, we are going to monitor that case. If there's no progress that is happening, we'll have to step in.

[01:00:54]>> Sure. and make sure that if push come to like salon if we make sure that those that are held accountable are held accountable and the monies you know today I was listening to SIU saying they follow the money >> you know but it's very difficult for them >> the very same SIU to follow the money of the UIF people [clears throat] were found guilty for COVID test.

[01:01:28]Many companies are still are still paid are still paid ter is not well marketed by the department because they want their associates to benefit. This ter is meant to cater for the businesses that are in struggle. Right? This ter is from the UIF contribution but because it's not well marketed most of our people are not aware it's the same as the labor activation program is the same as the productivity SA these are the entities of government that needs to make sure the monies goes to the people they they create jobs and also they they protect or they assist the the struggling companies. So we we we are waiting it's it's almost 6 months now >> that deputy minister has promised that the case has been opened he promised that he's going to give us the progress in in in committee if he does not do that after the BRRS we're going to make sure that we we we write a letter to him so that he can explain what is [clears throat] happening and the as the EFF we are going to make sure that we take charge and we have been raising the issue of the chairperson of the very same entity of the UIF who was recently being appointed by the minister to say this woman was found guilty by the court of law. He was sentenced by the court of law for mismanagement of funds. How do you then take such a person your integrity as a person whether he did she did serve the the the term or or she whatever but the integrity and your morality how is this person how are you sure that this person is going to lead this entity into right direction because the UF it's it doesn't perform well it's it's it's bad in the EFF we were only told that by the minister herself They are doing vetting every time when we ask how far are you with the vetting.

[01:03:49]No, the vetting department is still it's almost now 7 months since the person if I'm not mistaken since the person has been appointed into that position. So the EFF through its labor desk were going to lead a huge march >> to UIF and to the department of labor and employment and raise these issues so that we can be able to put our memorandum on the table and make sure that the department commits on action plan not just a plan to comply but the action plan with time frames. We are going to make sure that.

[01:04:29]>> Sure.

[01:04:29]>> Thank you.

[01:04:30]>> In one of your committee meetings, um you described the labor force um survey as a statistical illusion.

[01:04:40]>> Yes.

[01:04:40]>> For someone that is sitting at home, um how does government hide unemployment in these numbers to make things look, you know, better than they actually are?

[01:04:55]Ramapaza's government has introduced programs like your Yes.

[01:05:05]>> They have introduced programs like your EPWP.

[01:05:11]They have introduced uh programs I forgot the other one. Uh but basically these programs are meant for temporary employment.

[01:05:23]And what bothers me the most and what frustrates me the most is that when the statistics SA releases the statistics quarterly survey on employment they measure employment based on that >> of which is for me it's only a statistics >> because the reality is that go out now >> and see >> and see people where we are saying you'll see so many people sitting there with board saying any job >> but on a paper we see something else.

[01:06:03]>> Sure.

[01:06:03]>> We see that the the employment unemployment has went down like this quarter the unemployment has gone gone down with I think 1.2% if I'm not mistaken. But when you trace actually which sector construction >> Yeah.

[01:06:25]>> E a you textile you know areas where people only gets employed for a specific >> time. Yes. So if if we can change that narrative of research to say >> the mechanism that we are using is not speaks to the reality of our people on the ground. Our people are still unemployed. The graduates our graduates are still unemployed and they become unemployed because of what?

[01:07:00]>> Because of the system of education that the curriculum that we are we are we are giving them. If the curriculum can be specific to the needs and addresses the needs of the country, h unemployment will be reduced and the dropouts of youth will be reduced and youth will be able to make sure that they they participate in the academic sector. They go to school. They know that when you ask a young unemployed person school I don't know man I know braet mala has money and he did not go to school >> you know we create a a a a situation where criminals are being >> sure >> are being um >> yeah basically praised >> praised for for wrong things because there's no moral there's No system that attracts our young people to go to school and attracts them to to have a space where they can be employed and employable in a way that it benefits them to create >> okay better life. I mean speaking of the youth mam just um as we wrap uh as we wrap it up right um there are so many young people um who have completely given up on looking for work right what is your message to them today and practically how is your work in the committee um addressing the discouraged um you know see work seekers basically >> it's a very difficult question.

[01:08:48]>> Yeah.

[01:08:49]>> Um when we look at the statistics, those that have lost hope to look for jobs >> are mainly young people and they are in in their numbers >> and they are in the outskirt of our country and in townships.

[01:09:13]They are the people that we work with, we live with on daily basis.

[01:09:18]>> Sure.

[01:09:19]>> As a mother, I don't know what to say because [clears throat] h even where I come from.

[01:09:30]>> Sure.

[01:09:31]>> Even the house where I come from, I took my daughter to school, but he's current she's currently unemployed. M >> most of the people can relate to this >> to that reality.

[01:09:44]>> However, there's hope in a hopeless situation.

[01:09:53]I'm saying to that person who's sitting a mid nom who's sitting at home and doing nothing who can't access data to apply even when she has data to apply she still have to print the CV and certify and do all those bureaucracy that are >> that are needed >> that are needed that are so difficult.

[01:10:27]I I can say to them the hope is the EFF.

[01:10:33]We are saying once we take over government, >> once we run municipalities, our policies of eradicating tenders >> will be abolished in the municipal in all spheres of government.

[01:10:58]>> We are saying to them come to us M >> give us our challenge. Give us your challenges.

[01:11:08]When we speak, let us become your voices.

[01:11:14]Let us voice out what you are crying about. Yeah, >> when we speak in government in parliament like we did when we were responding to Rama say here are the CVs of young people >> employ them. Once it becomes a program where we go to government sectors where there are employment opportunities we work as a team. We're going to make sure that we [clears throat] address your your matters. It's a very difficult thing because EFF is not in power. We advocate for now. But once we take power as the organization, all your needs will be addressed. Don't lose hope. Don't sit back at home and not register to vote.

[01:12:12]And once you are registered to vote, vote correctly. Don't vote because of the heart. Don't vote because of what your mother or your father is taking.

[01:12:25]Vote to say I am voting as an individual. I need change. And change can happen. You know, every action starts with the first step. If there's no first step, there won't be a second step. So it is important for us to make sure that we encourage them in in that situation where they are seated. If we are able to even assist them, we'll say go to our sub regional offices in all the the the countries in all the provinces. We've got offices we can assist you to apply in all the sub regions. We've got representatives of the labor desk who are able to take young people every day to the system of the employment and labor department where they register them in their database. Once we know that in a particular area there are so many young people that applied for this job who are going to be able to push for open and transparent system of employment. I think if we can do that and we if we can build the morale and the trust amongst our people and change the narrative as to how people perceive things things in general uh we will change the change is it's it's a is a transition that has so many things. If we can do that we will overcome.

[01:13:57]>> Yes. Workers day guys is not only about remembering the past, it is about confronting the present and shaping the future. Honorable Raleigh, thank you so much for taking the time to having this conversation with us and um yeah, we are so grateful for the work that you honestly um that you are doing. Uh it does not go unnoticed. Thank you so much. Um >> thank you very much >> to everyone watching at home. Uh please do like, comment, subscribe to our channel and more importantly stay informed, stay engaged and understand that your voice matters and this is the EFF national podcast.