Mashatile urges workers to be patient amid cost-of-living crisis

ANC Deputy President Paul Mashatile has delivered a keynote address at the 8th FEDUSA Congress, calling for patience from workers as he described the cost-of-living crisis as a major concern.

The three-day event kicked off in Kempton Park, north of Johannesburg on Wednesday, putting key socio-economic challenges right at the top of its agenda.

It has brought together about 500 delegates, including organised labour, government, business and international labour representatives.

Mashatile has emphasised the need for proactive leadership in an evolving economic landscape.

“We do not serve our country by pretending these frustrations do not exist.

Our most urgent national task is to achieve stronger growth and create jobs on a scale that substantially reduces poverty and inequality.

The economy contracted by 0.2% in the second quarter of 2026, with mining, manufacturing and trade under considerable pressure,” says Mashatile.

Meanwhile, Mashatile says the ANC will remain a humble organisation despite being accused of arrogance.

He was reacting to a backlash the ANC got from some of COSATU leaders after the party’s National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe walked out of the federation’s national congress on Monday.

Mantashe was not happy that he had to speak before the SACP and SANCO, saying it was not in keeping with alliance traditions and insisting on speaking last.

This prompted some delegates to accuse Mantashe and the ANC of being arrogant.

Mashatile says he will get a full report on what happened.

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