'AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL': MASHATILE RALLIES UNITED ALLIANCE FOR 4 NOVEMBER SWEEP
- Mpho Dube
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief
The Azanian | Truth. Fearless. Unfiltered.
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POLOKWANE — ANC Deputy President Paul Mashatile led a formidable show of alliance unity at the COSATU National May Day Rally on Friday, 1 May 2026, telling thousands at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium that the ANC’s triumph in the 4 November local government elections is “certain” — but only if the movement closes ranks.
Mashatile arrived alongside COSATU President Zingiswa Losi, ANC Limpopo Provincial Chairperson Dr Phophi Ramathuba, ANC Deputy Provincial Chairperson Makoro John Mpe, and ANC Limpopo Provincial Spokesperson Tonny Rachoene, as well as other leaders of the alliance. ANC Provincial Secretary Vhamusanda Reuben Madadzhe also attended the rally.
The event, held under the theme “Building working class unity for economic liberation towards socialism”, was a sea of red, black, green and gold. Mashatile delivered the ANC’s message of solidarity. COSATU President Zingiswa Losi delivered the keynote address.
“The upcoming local elections are crucial,” Mashatile told workers. “And the ANC, which has carried the hopes of our people from liberation to democracy, must emerge victorious.”
“Comrades, come 4 November, we must not campaign just for the sake of campaigning. We are campaigning to win, so victory is certain.”
He tied that victory directly to workers: “It is through the ANC, working with its alliance partners, that the struggle for dignity, service delivery and transformation continues to find expression in the daily lives of our communities.”
In her keynote, COSATU President Losi invoked the spirit of the 1886 Chicago workers and 32 years of democratic gains — from the National Minimum Wage to paid maternity leave — while warning against complacency.
“We cannot celebrate 32 years of Freedom but keep quiet when four out of ten South Africans cannot find work,” Losi said. “Our unemployment crisis must be treated as a national emergency.”
She demanded a mass economic stimulus, slashed fuel and electricity prices, investment in public transport, and the next phase of Two Pot Pension Reforms. “We will never overcome poverty and inequality unless we can see unemployment falling by at least 1% each quarter.”
Both leaders echoed the rally’s central cry: An Injury to One is An Injury to All. Workers of the World Unite. You Have Nothing to Lose But Chains of Exploitation and Slavery.
Mashatile addressed the SACP’s decision to contest directly, but framed it as a moment for maturity, not division. “The strength of our movement has always rested on the unity of the Tripartite Alliance… We are indeed concerned about some of the recent developments that may weaken this unity.”
He joined Losi, SACP’s Alex Mashilo, and SANCO’s deputy president in calling for discipline: “Now more than ever before, we must close ranks, deepen political education and build a cohesive, disciplined and united movement of workers.”
“Let us not be divided by anything, comrades, and don’t be divided by anybody. We need this alliance to advance the National Democratic Revolution and ensure the complete emancipation of our people.”
Losi was unequivocal: “This Federation of Mark Shope and Nana Abrahams will unapologetically defend its unity. The Alliance must be radically reconfigured, lead the state and remain biased towards the working class and rural poor.”
“This is an Alliance forged through stay aways, strikes, prison, exile and funerals. It is an Alliance built by such giants as OR Tambo, Joe Slovo, Chris Hani, Elijah Barayi and Helen Joseph… This leadership of the Alliance, you dare not fail Collins Chabane, Joyce Mashamba, Ruth First and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.”
Mashatile closed with the ANC’s core pledge to workers: “This country must achieve economic liberation for all.”
With Limpopo’s top ANC brass present and COSATU setting the policy tone, Mashatile turned May Day into the opening salvo of a disciplined, united campaign. The message from Polokwane: The alliance is on the ground. And it’s campaigning to win.
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