An historic meeting between the SACTU NEC and COSATU Executive committee was held on the 19 March 1990, in Kafue, Zambia.
The SACTU delegation was led by its General Secretary and President, Comrades J K Nkadimeng and Kay Moonsamy respectively; and the COSATU delegation of 14 unions, comprising General Secretaries and Presidents was led by the general secretary of COSATU, Comrade J Naidoo and vice Presidents, cdes Chris Dlamini and J Gomomo.
On the eve of the independence of Namibia, and at a time of significant political changes in SA, SACTU and COSATU met to discuss the future status of SACTU and the trade unions in our country.
This is a time of great opportunities for the workers of our country to broaden the path of the liberation struggle. Thousands of exiles have the possibility of returning to their mother land, as a direct result of years of intense struggle against the apartheid regime. We have forced FW de Klerk to unban the ANC, SACP and other organisations.
SACTU and COSATU met at the highest level to plan their tactics and strategies for the final assault on the apartheid regime by the people of our country, led by the ANC, and the establishment of a unitary state in a nonracial democratic SA.
The spirit of profound commitment and common purpose that prevailed throughout the meeting enabled us to take far-reaching decisions aimed at further uniting the trade union movement of our country.
This meeting of SACTU and COSATU leaderships noted that;
1) SACTU has played a vanguard role in the trade union movement in South Africa,
2) SACTU and COSATU are committed to the principle of one country one federation, one trade union in one industry.
3) SACTU has played a special role in consolidating the democratic trade union movement under the banner of COSATU.
4) SACTU does not see itself re-emerging in South Africa.
5) The conditions are changing in SA which require the trade union movement to reassess the way forward which will strengthen working class organisation.
therefore resolves that:
1. We jointly commit ourselves to one union one industry and one country one federation
2. 2.1 COSATU and SACTU agree to the phasing out of SACTU with the objective of achieving the principle of one country one federation
2.2 The phasing out of SACTU will provide an important opportunity to broaden trade union unity under COSATU
3. A Facilitating Committee, composing 5 delegates each from both COSATU and SACTU be established to oversee the process of phasing out of SACTU. The terms of reference of the Facilitating Committee shall be :
3.1 to expedite the return of SACTU cadres
3.2 to facilitate the integration of SACTU members into COSATU and unions as far as it is possible
3.3 to make arrangements for a visit by SACTU NEC to SA to provide reports on its activities since it went underground to workers, as well as the decisions of this joint meeting
3.4 to assist SACTU to provide reports to international trade unions and fraternal organisations on the decisions of this joint meeting
3.5 SACTU NEC should continue in office until the process of phasing out is completed
4. The Facilitating Committee is to provide a report to COSATU and SACTU within one month from the date thereof, and further reports are to be provided periodically until the phasing out is completed.
5. The report of the deliberations and resolutions of this historic meeting be given to ANC, SACP, COSATU, SACTU and UDF.