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united frontlatest news & developments
Durban, 1973: Workers at the Consolidated Textile Mill in Jacobs demand a wage hike of R5.

The seeds of the 1973 Durban strikes still grow

Several unions were formed in the wake of the seminal strikes 50 years ago, including the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa

The ANC and SACP have agreed to continuous consultation and to strengthening the broader ANC-led alliance

South African Communist Party, Cosatu are stuck with the ANC

Despite being disillusioned with their ally in government, the SACP and the labour federation are unlikely to leave the tripartite alliance

The Helen Zille tweets are perhaps well known but they are not the only example. For supporting the controversial song Kill the Boer, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters Julius Malema landed in hot water and was subsequently taken to court. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Making voices heard: Freedom of expression and intra-party democracy

Though it is enshrined in our constitution, the right to differ within one’s political party is not always enacted in practice. Here’s why it’s better to allow dissent

Expelled Secretary General of COSATU

Get on board the new federation train, Harvey

Ebrahim Harvey didn’t check his facts, says Zwelinzima Vavi.

Marching on: The United Front says it is making significant strides in mobilising its supporters throughout South Africa.

United Front? ‘alive, well and united’

The nonparty-political movement is on track and has achieved a lot.

(Mashadi Kekana/M&G)

An indefinite pause on a workers’ revolution

The Cosatu congress has been called a bloody nose for the progressive side of labour left. Does it mean a kick in the shins for Numsa’s United Front?

United Front must find ‘a clear, radical’ stance

The Numsa-funded organisation has been struggling with issues of trust, shaky funding and the lack of a clear political direction.

United Front members protested outside Parliament ahead of Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene’s budget speech

United Front demand a people’s budget

The group handed over a nine-page memorandum demanding a people’s budget, decided by the people to end gender-based violence and load-shedding.

Old wine in Numsa’s new bottle

Both Greece and Spain have a left that doesn’t look back, but that is engaged in the moment and looking to the future – something we sorely need.

The ANC’s policy of cadre deployment only heightens these tensions with officials joining the organisation as a way of outmanoeuvring their colleagues for influence or promotion.

The state wags the dog, at the ANC’s cost

The complicated nature of government and the negative impact of political appointments make running the country a nightmare.

One step at a time, dear people

An important lessons that we have learnt in the United Front is that although there may be no road map, it is vital to know the destination.

United Front.

United Front reinvents the class struggle

The world of 2015 is a much-changed place, but the embryonic new left of the United Front is looking to the 1970s and earlier for its inspiration.

United Front takes baby steps to redefine SA politics

Most commentators have got the idea of the United Front wrong, and many important points from the national congress in December were overlooked.

Numsa’s Front: United only in opposition

Numsa’s umbrella entity, the United Front, not so united as delegates disagree on internal structure and what role the party should play in elections.

Irvin Jim (Nicolene Olckers/Gallo)

Jim: Numsa won’t convert to a ‘political party’

Numsa’s general secretary Irvin Jim reiterates that Numsa won’t convert to a "political party", and will remain inspired by Marxism-Leninism.

The alleged undermining of Numsa’s internal democracy was at the centre of recent court action to challenge a raft of suspensions executed in the lead up to the union’s congress, which was set to start on Monday.

Numsa maps out its brave new world

The metalworkers’ union had tired of the ANC and wanted Cosatu to break with the ruling party and come with them into a brave new socialist future.

Iran counts votes as US decries results

Iran began counting votes on Saturday that are likely to keep conservatives in control of Parliament after many opponents of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad were blocked from…