30 March 2023

 

 

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is deeply disappointed at yet another repo rate hike by the Monetary Policy Committee of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) after it decided to raise increase the repurchase rate by 50 basis points to 7.75% per year, with effect from the 31 of March 2023.

 

FEDUSA expectation on the hike was 25 basis points and not 50 after the last hefty hike. The food price inflation is now expected to be 9.9% in 2023 (up from 7.3%) and 4.5% in 2024 (up from 4.4%). FEDUSA believes that hiking the interest rates is a burden on over-indebted South Africans.

 

The hikes are a big slap in the face of millions of workers, consumers and businesses trying to survive the high cost of living. The complete erosion of disposable income is totally disheartening and only adds insult to injury to both workers, businesses, and the poor, who continually battle daily to make ends meet.

 

FEDUSA would like to remind the Reserve Bank and the government that the increase of the interest rates does not mean that salaries or social grants of millions of South Africans will also increase. It should be a reminder that the unemployed are also affected by the hikes and they will be more vulnerable.

 

FEDUSA is also extremely concerned about the impact of the interest rate hikes on the sustainability of jobs, debt, and survival of Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s). The hikes will only worsen the sad situation of many South Africans.

 

FEDUSA therefore calls for urgent intervention by the government into solving the country’s economic problems and provide South Africans with a sigh of relief.

 

-End-

 

 

For media enquiries

Betty Moleya

063 736 5533

 

For interviews please contact:

 

Ms Riefdah Ajam

FEDUSA General Secretary

079 696 2625

Mr Ashley Benjamin

FEDUSA Deputy General Secretary

083 258 4433

20 March 2023

 

As the nation marks yet another Human Rights Day, the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) joins all South Africans in commemorating and honouring the country’s heroes who were killed and some wounded on 21 March 1960 in Sharpeville and Langa among other areas. While some time has passed since then, the wounds of apartheid remain raw, making it even more critical to take stock of the rights provisioned for in the constitution which is the bedrock of our democracy.

FEDUSA implores the nation on this Human Rights Day to reflect and work towards addressing the high levels of violent crime, poverty, unemployment, and high levels of inequality that still affect the majority of South Africans. Our high crime rate has been attributed to social stress from unconducive environments in early childhood, poverty, wealth disparity and problems with the delivery of public services.

As a country, we also need to fight the high levels of alcohol abuse and which plays a huge contributing factor in many violent crimes including murder, gender-based assaults and rape. In most cases, these incidents regularly occur in or directly outside bars, taverns, or nightclubs due to the abuse of alcohol. We will recall that on 26 June 2022, horrific scenes were published in the media which showed 21 young children who had died at Enyobeni tavern in East London. We must ask ourselves as a nation why children under the age of 18 were consuming alcohol in the tavern at that time of the night.

We are also concerned that despite South Africa’s Constitution being the first in the world to prohibit unfair discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, the LGBTQI+ community still find themselves in a crisis of having their human rights continuously violated. People living with disabilities, women, and children are also some of the vulnerable groups in South Africa that have to fight for their survival and basic human rights.

FEDUSA also encourages South Africans to reflect on the gender pay gap, which is a form of discrimination against women. South Africa still has a long way to go in correcting the injustice and violation of human rights of hardworking women who are robbed of what is due to them in favour of men as various reports have repeatedly proven. Equally, attention must be paid to the infringements of the rights of people living with disabilities who are still facing difficulties in accessing transport, building and work opportunities.

Therefore, FEDUSA calls on the government to enforce the constitution and to hold accountable the companies, organisations, and individuals responsible for violating the rights of others.

Human Rights Day is an important day that urges all South Africans to remember the sacrifices and struggles paid for the attainment of democracy and the protection of human rights in the country. As South Africans, we must address all challenges that still divide us in terms of race and social class by engaging honestly and openly with each other. These discussions can be initiated in our family structures, social circles, faith-based organizations and in our community forums.

As a nation, we must stop any individuals who are planning to destroy our centres of learning, state institutions, health, and social facilities during community protests. We must stand up together with determination and work towards creating a safe South Africa that is non-racist, non-sexist and that reflects the principles and values of our Constitution and Bill of Rights. Let us continue to fight against the exploitation of workers by advocating for greater transparency, and fair pay and for laws against exploitation to be enforced.

 

-End-

 

For media enquiries

Betty Moleya

063 736 5533

 

For interviews please contact:

 

Ms Riefdah Ajam

FEDUSA General Secretary

079 696 2625

Mr Ashley Benjamin

FEDUSA Deputy General Secretary

083 258 4433

 

FEDUSA MEDIA STATEMENT ON NATIONAL SHUTDOWN

17 March 2023

 

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) wants to place it on record that it has not been mandated by its members to take part in the protests planned for Monday, the 20th of March, across the country and will therefore not take part in the action.

While the federation is cognisant of the various challenges South Africans are faced with, including the continued rolling power cuts (load-shedding), we have sought to be part of the collective leadership of the country working towards solutions to these multiple crises.

FEDUSA respects the rights of those who will be taking part in the action and encourages peaceful demonstrations. We also want to remind those who will partake in the strikes, given that it is now covered under Section 77, to be cognisant of the fact that all rights must be exercised responsibly for the greater good of all.

We have noted the assurances by the government’s JCPS cluster that Monday will be a normal business day in the Republic. We trust that the measures put in place to safeguard lives and livelihoods will be sufficient should the protests take a turn for the worst.

Furthermore, the federation wishes those who have made plans to take leave from work on the 20th, taking advantage of the Human Rights Day holiday on the 21st, a good break. May we all use the holiday to reflect on the strides made in realising the many rights we enjoy, while reflecting on the realities of the vulnerable groups who are yet to live freely in South Africa despite their rights being enshrined in the Constitution.

 

-End-

 

 

For media enquiries

Betty Moleya

063 736 5533

 

For interviews please contact:

 

Ms Riefdah Ajam

FEDUSA General Secretary

079 696 2625

Mr Ashley Benjamin

FEDUSA Deputy General Secretary

083 258 4433

UPDATE ON PUBLIC SECTOR WAGE NEGOTIATIONS FROM FEDUSA-AFFILIATED TRADE UNIONS

14 March 2023

Trade Unions affiliated with the Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) are happy to report back to members and the public that there have been significant strides made in the wage negotiations underway for the period 2023/2024. Earlier today (14/03/2023), the employer tabled a revised offer of an average 7% to organised labour which comprises the majority of unions in the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC), despite the absence of those who elected to boycott the process.

 

Fedusa unions were clear at the onset of these negotiations that its members would not tolerate nor accept a wage increase which will not help offset the impact of the spiralling cost of living. The fact that the employer is near the inflation benchmark in the proposal that has been tabled has given us renewed faith in the power of collective bargaining.

 

These negotiations have continued while public servants suffered the ire of their communities as other unions elected to take part in detrimental industrial action over historical issues. While Fedusa affiliates in the sector acknowledge that the issues that led to the strike are critical, it would have been ideal that labour collaborates in its efforts to secure workers reasonable wage increases in council, the only place we believe negotiations can successfully be held.

 

Organised labour negotiators have been hard at work, pressing ahead with the members’ mandate of a 10 percent wage increase, among other demands. While further details of where the government stands on housing and medical aid among others will be shared in due course, labour has also in the spirit of peaceful and fruitful negotiations, made a compromise.

 

As such, unions in the chamber moved from the initial 10 percent demand to 8 percent, bringing the parties closer to one another. Fedusa’s posture has always been that our approach to the negotiations is in good faith, understanding that it’s a give-and-take process.

Labour’s initial demands included a single-year term agreement and an increase of R2500 monthly housing allowance. As matters stand, the employer has proposed a three-year term with CPI plus 0,5% in year 2 and CPI only in year 3.

 

Labour has rejected the proposed term of the agreement, however, placed it on record that workers are amenable to a 2-year term with the second-year increase set at CPI plus 1,5%.

Organised labour in the council expects that a follow-up meeting will be held soon, with the expectation that the employer will revert to the response tabled by unions.

 

We foresee that the negotiations will conclude before the end of the month, bringing hard-working public service employees much relief, instead of the norm where talks drag on for months while they suffer the consequences of shrinking salaries. In fact, we may witness a record turn-around time in public sector wage negotiations.

 

Fedusa affiliates: NAPTOSA, PSA, HOSPERSA, SAOU along with Cosatu-affiliated SADTU attended the council meeting today, constituting the majority of parties in the PSCBC, at 53,9%.

 

We also note that the minority group that chose to boycott the wage negotiations since the onset of the process attempted to sneak back into the chamber today to present their demands. We deem this as the highest level of disrespect for the very workers they represent who remained on the streets and on picket lines on the premise that the solution to their frustrations would emanate from the strike. We are also aware that they have sought political interventions while promising workers that their toil, which pitted them against the very communities they serve would yield fruit.

 

While the PSCBC is a democratic space where all recognised parties can engage in peaceful negotiations, presenting fresh demands at this stage of negotiations, as we near the end of the sensitive talks could undo all the gains the majority unions have secured for workers thus far. This is the reason parties agree on a timeline that would be followed as negotiations take place. It is to avoid a situation where the efforts of the majority are thwarted by a minority that chose to protest instead of coming to the negotiation table.

 

Fedusa-affiliated public service unions want to assure its members in all departments and government agencies represented at the PSCBC that it is their interests that remain at the heart of all the steps negotiators have taken and will take. That it is their mandates that pave the way forward for how these negotiations will eventually conclude.

09 March 2023

The Leadership of the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) has noted with major concern and dismay the number of violent attacks that have happened since the start of industrial action on 06 March 2023, albeit being interdicted by Government.

#FEDUSA recognizes that the sanctity of collective bargaining must be safeguarded within the framework of Labour Relations Act, (LRAS), but under no circumstances must industrial action be accompanied by nor associated with intimidation, violence, and the risk to livelihoods, as has been seen in recent media reports.

Whilst #FEDUSA Public Sector Unions participated in peaceful protests and strike action during November and December 2022, updated mandates from members, directed the #FEDUSA Unions to refocus their attention on the current negotiations. Henceforth, none of the #FEDUSA public sector unions are participating in the current process which is being marred by unnecessary and unwanted attention that only serves to discredit the entire public service membership.

#FEDUSA has received numerous reports from members being intimidated, prevented from working, and even assaulted. These deliberate attacks of violence on fellow members and now the public at large, alongside attempts to destabilise service delivery aligned to essential services such as healthcare is strongly objected by #FEDUSA. It is a fact that once anyone is denied access to healthcare, property is destroyed, or patients or employees are physically harmed, they are partaking in criminal activities and not on strike.

#FEDUSA demands that the Minister of Police take full control and ensure that all healthcare facilities in South Africa are safeguarded so that desperate South Africans in need of emergency healthcare, can access the facilities without being subjected to any form of violence or risk losing their lives. Essential Services Personnel affiliated to public sector unions fully understand their role and responsibility in society, as documented in the Labour Relations Act (LRA), which prevents them from striking. Who will then take responsibility when loss of lives occurs due to irresponsible actions? Accountability and the full might of the law must prevail.

#FEDUSA affiliates respect the law and the concept of essential services and will not willingly deny anyone their right to healthcare services. Not in our Name!

#FEDUSA Public Sector Unions and other unions in the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) that constitute the majority in the Chamber, are not participating in the strike and appeal for calm in the interest of the South African Public to safeguard lives and livelihood.

However, #FEDUSA also notes that the employer has failed its employees and ultimately the public, the vast majority of whom have no option but to utilize public health facilities that are no longer safe, clean, and often dysfunctional. This action is affecting the majority of South Africans who rely on public healthcare facilities, and #FEDUSA affiliates will not advance or support any actions that erode human rights.

 

#FEDUSACares #PublicSector #IndustrialAction

Please note: All interviews should be directed to the Deputy Secretary General Ashley Benjamin, 083 258 4433 or dgs@fedusa.org.za

 

For Media Enquiries

Betty Moleya

061 396 1841

communications@fedusa.org.za

 

21 February 2023

 

As the Federation of Unions of South Africa reflects on the upcoming tabling of the national budget by the finance minister this week, the resolution of the dire economic crisis being faced by South Africans is of utmost priority.

 

  • COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS

The poor and workers are being strangled by surging costs of necessities, including food. The situation is untenable. We have heard the government openly note that indeed the crisis has worsened post the Covid-19 pandemic years. However, there has been no real effort to cushion struggling South Africans who can barely afford electricity with prices increasing consistently while evidence shows us that salaries are shrinking and have been for years. By March 2022, the real average South African salary fell below the R15 000 mark, an annual fall of -5,6%.

 

  • PUBLIC SERVICE WORKERS

Among those workers affected, are public servants who have just entered the 2023 wage negotiations process with the hope that the government will raise salaries significantly. This sector has not had protection from the inflationary spiral since 2020, with workers receiving less than CPI adjustments, with little movement on their pensionable earnings. We appeal to the finance minister to keep in line with the outcomes of the Public Sector summit last year that spelt out the need for Treasury to await the wage negotiations process before a set amount is placed. Whatever remains of the already budgeted R45 billion over the three-year MTEF period will not suffice to cover real increases. Fedusa affiliates in the public sector have demonstrated good faith by returning to negotiations despite a strike threat by other unions because our members are committed to making South Africa work effectively again.

 

  • POST OFFICE AND TELKOM

Close to 8 000 workers at the Post Office and Telkom are facing job losses in a labour market climate that has seen workers struggle to re-enter once retrenched. The challenges that have brought the Post Office to its knees are known to the government and national treasury, yet South Africans have watched as this once critical institution dwindles to near death, robbing millions of people access to mail in a country with low internet access that drives inequality.  The finance minister must engage his colleagues in government to utilise the funds in the Employment and Labour department’s job creation and job preservation schemes to save these jobs. The National Development plan places great weight on the government’s ability to ensure decent work is maintained and that human and workers’ rights are respected. We want to see government walk the talk, by saving these 6000 jobs at the Post Office and the at risk 1 770 jobs at Telkom as it claims restructuring.

 

  • FUEL LEVIES

We also want to remind the national treasury of Fedusa’s campaign requesting the government to intervene in the runaway fuel prices. We note the efforts made by the government last year to cushion motorists as the Russia-Ukraine war exacerbated the costs. We call on the finance minister to announce once again that there will be no increases to the fuel price levy. This suspension will grant workers, commuters, and small businesses some breathing room.

 

Fuel levies place a burden on already strained commuters, who are subjected to use taxis and other modes of transport. FEDUSA therefore calls on the government to prioritise the rehabilitation of railway infrastructure, to be able to provide commuters with affordable mode of transport.

 

  • BASIC INCOME GRANT

Fedusa also appeals to the national treasury to take the necessary steps to make the R350 Social Relief of Distress grant permanent, while scaling it up. In the Medium-term Budget Policy Statement last year, the minister extended the grant to March 2024. Then he planted the seed of the introduction of a new permanent social grant that would have to be accompanied by significant growth in income, a significant reduction in spending, or both. We hope that as the Minister returns to parliament for the budget speech, this matter will take priority once more, with clear set timelines for the implementation of relief to poor South Africans. We cannot wait forever on the government to assess the various modalities it has said it is exploring over the years. The crisis is now and is harming the prospects of children who are stunted due to poor diet because of poverty, while some South Africans, including the working poor, are forced to go to bed on empty stomachs. We equally remain committed to the call for a universal basic income as an urgent need, as the SRD grant demonstrates.

 

  • CRIME

Fedusa is concerned about the renewed surge in attacks on armoured trucks that transports money between retailers and banks in the country. The cash-in-transit heists as they are referred to are peaking once more, with

 

incidents reported weekly. We are concerned about the lives of our members who get killed and injured during these attacks. There is also the economic impact it carries. Cash is no doubt an important component of the South African economy. The CIT industry’s failure to safely distribute cash across the country could bring our struggling economy to its feet. There is also the threat that crime levels in general pose to our economic growth, with investors open about their reluctance to bring international capital to a country viewed as largely violent even beyond our borders.

 

  • JUST TRANSITION

President Cyril Ramaphosa told the people of this country during his recent state of the nation address that the government is continuing with its just transition to a low carbon economy with one of the key goals being the opening of new investments and industries that can create new jobs. We look forward to hearing more about this from the finance minister to fully understand how the R1,5 trillion just energy transition investment plan will work. The Just Transition project is an initiative of the country’s social partners including Fedusa and other organised labour. Its success is fully reliant on transparency. Fedusa calls on the national treasury to invest some of the funds on an institution or just transition centre that will enable continuity and openness sothat it is indeed inclusive and has no negative impact on job security.

Fedusa also looks forward to the finance minister’s explanation of how the country’s infrastructure will be revived. Finer details about the infrastructure projects worth R232 billion that are under construction is also expected.

South Africans need to have their hope revived; we hope the budget speech will give us a clear roadmap of how the country will make its way out of the prolonged period of suffering.

-END-

16 February 2023

Public Sector Unions affiliated with the Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) have resolved to participate in the fresh round of wage negotiations in the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) for the year 2023.

The decision to conclude the disputed 2022 negotiations on our end follows extensive discussions with union members and other structures of our organisations. Last year, we were part of a dispute with the employer that involved many trade unions in the council. Our members participated in workplace picketing and even amplified the industrial action through a one-day mass protest across the country.

While the demands that members tabled before the government have not been met, that with other outstanding matters including the reneged on last leg of the 2018 wage agreement, members of Fedusa public sector unions strongly feel that it is time to move on. Fedusa public sector unions have not abandoned our deadlock of 2022/23 but have rather placed our trust in the PSCBC process to address the employer’s intransigent behaviour over the last few years as opposed to further industrial actions. Unions do not want to prejudice our members any further for the 2023/24 round of negotiations.
However, it must be made clear that the decision to enter the new negotiations on a clean slate does not discount the amount of work the employer has to undertake to win back the workers’ trust. It is no secret that negotiations cannot succeed when there is no trust between parties, as we have witnessed in recent PSCBC engagements. We want the employer to make public assurances to workers in the public service about its willingness to repair the years of damage caused by the unilateral implementation of wage adjustments among other issues.

Fedusa public sector unions regard the upcoming budget speech by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana as the first test of the trust-building process between organised labour and the employer. At the public sector summit held last year, all parties acknowledged the need to correct the anomaly where the finance minister tables wage increase proposals to workers during the budget presentation, as opposed to the PSCBC where the matters should first arise.
We are confident that cognisant of the crippling cost of living crisis in the country, the employer will offer workers a reasonable increase in their cost-of-living adjustment. Fedusa public sector unions will table their consolidated demands in the council at the right time. We also remind members of the media that wage negotiations are sensitive and it is in good faith that we will refrain from publicly discussing the demands of workers at this stage of the process. Our members have mandated negotiators and other officials responsible for the process in the 2023 cycle to give the talks a chance, with the hope that at their conclusion their dire financial difficulties will improve.

-END-

 

For Media enquiries

Betty Moleya

0613961841

 

For interviews please contact:

Ms Riefdah Ajam

FEDUSA General Secretary

079 696 2625

 

Mr Ashley Benjamin

FEDUSA Deputy General Secretary

0832584433

 

08 February 2023

The Federation of Unions of South African (FEDUSA) looks forward to the delivery of the State of the Nation Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa tomorrow with great anticipation for much needed solutions to the multiple crises the country is currently facing. We go into the 2023 SONA despondent as a nation following increases in interest rates while the cost of living continues to spiral. South Africans are also confronted with frequent power cuts that compromise their quality of life while causing irreversible damage to the economy and the country’s labour market. Despite past promises by President Cyril Ramaphosa that we would see those suspected of having a hand in the collapse of the state through the State Capture project would be behind bars, however this is also far from being realised.

Fedusa hopes that the President will have a clear and implementable plan for the following:
• Eskom
The power utility has been on its knees for years, with recent updates by task teams and committees responsible for resolving the crisis indicating that the electricity generation capacity of the entity will not improve anytime soon. Fedusa wants the President to make pronouncements on the procurement and regulatory challenges holding up Eskom’s ability to fix existing power stations and to bring new capacity online. We also expect an announcement on the suggested declaration of a state of disaster to ease procurement requirements and other regulatory matters that may be hampering the entity’s management from carrying out its duties efficiently.

• Jobs
As a result of the loadshedding crisis, companies in various sectors including motor and hospitality have indicated they will have to cut jobs with unions across the board seized with Section 189 retrenchment processes. Fedusa wants the President to address employers on what measures his administration will implement to reverse this trend. Ramaphosa came into office on the back of many promises, including the creation of millions of jobs. However, this undertaking immediately fails when millions of employed South Africans who would otherwise have job security, out on the streets due to unreliable energy supply. The country is on edge with 43% of the labour force unemployed.

• Local Government
The country’s municipalities have collapsed. Its finances are in shambles and have been for a long time. As a result, not even water provision, that is a basic human right, can be guaranteed. Municipalities have become a feeding ground for corruption, with the Auditor General reminding us yearly that officials are not qualified to carry out their duties as a result undermine the functions of municipalities as prescribed in the constitution. The President must share with the nation a detailed plan of how this problem will be resolved. We have heard many reassurances over the years about measures including the District Development Model that were aimed making municipalities effective again, yet these have failed to improve the situation in municipalities.

• Gender-Based-Violence
Fedusa has noted the government’s continued avoidance to implement the resolutions made in the first and second gender summit. A gender council as agreed to is yet to be established. Shelters meant to help abused women, children and others remain in unliveable condition. On the workplace front, Fedusa wants the President to take charge of the processes meant to implement and domesticate the International Labour Organisation’s Convention 190 and Recommendation 206 that seek to address violence and harassment in the world of work.

• Social Relief of Distress Grant
Fedusa hopes that the President will make an announcement on the extension of the Social Relief of Distress grant which has proven a lifesaver for many South Africans albeit below the poverty line. The R350 must be increased, and the requirements must be expansive enough to be accessible to poor people. Poverty is a crisis in South Africa. Ramaphosa promised to end poverty within a generation, this will not happen if nearly half the labour force cannot access the job market and are only extended the paltry R350 to survive.

• Crime
The writing has been on the wall for some time, however, recently crime appears to be spiralling out of control, with reports indicating that South Africa could soon become a mass murder capital like Colombia. This is a terrifying prospect. We need the President to address the public’s concerns over violent crime and what intervention he and his cabinet will implement to address this. The spate of killings and the high crime levels have a devastating impact on many aspects of the South African society including the economy and personal freedom.
The problems confronting the country are many and those mentioned above are just a few in the pile. We hope that President Cyril Ramaphosa will rise to the occasion and use his SONA address to give angry, demoralised, and anxious South Africans some relief.

-END-

For media enquiries

Betty Moleya

0613961841

 

For interviews please contact:

Ms Riefdah Ajam

FEDUSA General Secretary

079 696 2625

 

Mr Ashley Benjamin

FEDUSA Deputy General Secretary

083 258 4433

27 January 2023

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) congratulates United National Transport Union (UNTU) on their victory after the Labour court ruled in their favour and ordered the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) to honour obligations to the 2020 salary/wage settlement agreement.

 

PRASA will need to make payment for each UNTU member, a 5% wage increase in terms of the Wage Agreement concluded on 23 October 2020 with effect from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022.

 

The two-year-long battle to get UNTU members that is due to them has finally paid off, but the war is far from over. However, FEDUSA would like to thank UNTU for their determination to fight until the very last end.

It is disappointing that UNTU had to go to lengths in their fight for an agreement that was not honoured by PRASA. Therefore, FEDUSA calls on PRASA to accept the Labour Court’s judgment and implement it accordingly.

 

 

For interviews please contact:

 

For Media enquiries

Betty Moleya

0613961841

 

Ms Riefdah Ajam

FEDUSA General Secretary

079 696 2625

 

Mr Ashley Benjamin

FEDUSA Deputy General Secretary

0832584433

20 January 2023

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) congratulates the Matric Class of 2022 for achieving a pass rate of 80.1 % in the National Senior Certificate (NSC).

 

FEDUSA again congratulates the Free State province for once again topping the charts, with a 88.5% matric pass rate. The federation commends the class of 2022 for their resilience and making it to the end of their schooling journey against all odds. We acknowledge the challenges faced by learners over the past three years, with major disruptions brought on by the   covid19 pandemic. They had to adapt to online learning and rotational classes.

 

They were also greatly affected by the consistent electricity blackouts “load shedding” and service delivery protests in some areas. Despites the difficulties, all provinces have shown improvements in the 2022 Matric outcomes. FEDUSA also recognizes the fact that the Kwa Zulu-Natal class of 2022 overcame insurmountable difficulties after some schools were flooded and homes washed away in the province over the past year. They have showed resilience, dedication and determination and we congratulate them on coming third on overall best performing province in the examinations with 83% matric pass rate and recording the most notable improvement.

 

We call on the candidates who sat for the 2022 NSC exams and did not perform well to not lose hope. There are opportunities that one can explore to improve their results. There are many chances to go back to school and do well. Most importantly seek help if you are feeling overwhelmed and not coping well emotionally.

 

In conclusion FEDUSA would like to thank the principals, teachers, support staff, parents, and the Department of Education on the work invested to produce the results being celebrated today.

 

For Media enquiries

Betty Moleya

0613961841

 

Mr Ashley Benjamin

FEDUSA Deputy General Secretary

0832584433