Home

ANC alliance partners call for unity in honour of JB Marks

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The African National Congress (ANC) Alliance Partners have called for unity within the tripartite alliance, in honour of the struggle icon, JB Marks whose remains were reburied at his home town of Ventersdorp in the North West on Sunday.

Paying tribute to Marks, President Jacob Zuma emphasised that the unity of the alliance of the ANC, Cosatu and the SACP is critical to further develop the lives of South Africans in general and the workers in particular.

ANC Secretary General, Gwede Mantashe, feels the reburial of Marks and another struggle legend, Moses Kotane must be an opportunity to revive the alliance.

One hundred and seventy nine unions registered in this country are operating outside the trade union movement

“JB Marks and Moses Kotane shared many things and disagreed in some, but all the time they were together. They were buried in the same cemetery in Russia, they are today back here together. So we were in Pella last week, we are in Ventersdorp today (Sunday) and to me that is a continuation of bringing them together and we must use this opportunity to revitalise and revive the organisation throughout the country.”

Cosatu General- Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi says unity of the alliance is a principle JB Marks stood for. He says what Marks stood for is now being eroded.

“One hundred and seventy nine unions registered in this country are operating outside the trade union movement. As we speak, Cosatu is facing a tremendous challenge of disunity within its ranks, threaten the future and undermining directly the work that comrade JB Marks and comrade Moses Kotane laid down to ensure that this generation of workers benefit.”

– By Sentleeng Lehihi and Patrick Dintwa

Author

MOST READ