COSAS NORTH WEST, Mafikeng (2024)

01/07/2024

COSAS NCPTT STATEMENT ON THE APPOINTMENT OF THE NEW CABINET

01 July 2024

The Congress of South African Students (COSAS) notes the announcement of the 7th administration's cabinet by President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa. As the Congress of South African Students we applaud the African National Congress for successfully creating a consensus amongst 10 different political parties put in parliament by the electorate during the 2024 national Elections. The task of engaging and finding consensus with opposition parties whom mostly campaigned on the slogan of removing the ANC can not have been easy. As an Organization we thus welcome the establishment of the GNU that has for the first time in the history of our maturing democracy and the world brought together 10 parties with varying ideologies and beliefs of what is necessary to drive the country forward we welcome the GNU despite our wish that the GNU did not include the DA and FF+. We hope this diversification of ideas will lead to a cabinet that always functions in the best interest of the majority for this to be successful a broader consensus must be reached between the members of the GNU. We hereby welcome the initiative by the President to convene a national dialogue, we call upon the presidency to ensure broad and extensive participation from all sectors and spheres of society.

As The Congress Of South African Students we applaud and commend the president for demonstrating in actions that his government and his party the ANC values and knows that young people have enormous potential to positively transform our country and improve the lives of its people. The president has for the first time in the history of our country appointed three young people to serve in his cabinet (Deputy Ministers of Trade, Industry and Competition are Zuko Godlimpi,Deputy Ministers in the Presidency are Nonceba Mhlauli & deputy minister of employment and labour Phumzile Mgcina) The president also demonstrated in action that South African belongs to all those who live in it and there is no place for bigotry by appointing a member of the LGBTQIA+ community (Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is Mmapaseka Steve Letsike) as part of his cabinet. We hope these actions by the President will inspire a paradigm shift in the country that will see a greater inclusion of young people and members of the LGBTQIA+ community in positions of influence.

We however hold the view that the appointment of Siviwe Gwarube of the DA as minister of education puts under significant threat our people’s hard-won gains in the basic education sector. We feel the DA-led ministry is poised to reverse the progress made thus far in our public schools particularly rural and township schools that are still in dire need of further development to overcome the many challenges they are still espoused to, meanwhile widening the gap between our rural, township and former model C schools in an effort to cater to the interests of the rich at the expense of the poor majority of South Africans. For far too long, the ruling elite has manipulated the education system to serve their needs, perpetuating a cycle of inequality and oppression and our fear is that the progress made thus far to disrupt this cycle is under threat with basic education now in the hands of a party that sees no need for social welfare projects. As the Congress Of South African Students we declare to resuscitate grass root activism in schools in an effort to build strong and active sub-branches and branches of COSAS, this will be done in preparation to defend the gains we have made as a country thus far in as far as building a dynamic,Compulsory,free,Decolonised and people centered education. We anticipate an onslaught against the existence of non-fee paying schools because in the eyes of the DA education is a commodity, we expect an onslaught against the National Schools Nutrition Program that sees to it that learners receive free meals at school, we expect and onslaught against the provision of free stationary and we expect a regression in the momentum we were observing of the provision of breakfast in our schools. It’s because of this bleak outlook as an organization we must Organize and prepare to defend the dignity and education of a black child as they will be hit the hardest by The DA and the austerity measures we expect in basic education under them.

We also wish to agree with our adoptive parents SADTU that the DA has zero respect for collective bargaining, organized labour formation and they hold a particular disdain for SADTU because of its progressive and pro-black character and its size as one of the biggest unions of workers in the country. They will attempt to sabotage student activism and unions (SADTU in particular) which will be a blatant attempt to silence the voices of the future generation and those who mould this future. The ANC's acceptance of DA’s Demand for the ministry of basic education is a betrayal of the people's trust and a deviation from its historical commitment to social justice and utilizing education as an instrument of liberation and empowerment.

We demand a basic education sector that prioritizes the needs of the many, not the few. A sector that fosters critical thinking, creativity, and inclusivity. A sector that recognizes the value of education as a public good, not a commodity for the privileged, a basic education that respects collective bargaining, a basic education that respects and works hand in hand with teacher unions.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF COSAS NCPTT

National Convenor: Cde Unesongo Matikinca
+27723573092

National Coordinator; Cde Scalo Mahladisa
079 774 1072

24/03/2023

Catch the Secretary General of COSAS 20th NEC on Motsweding FM🖤🤍
BoBongane NdlovudBongane Ndlovu

Catch the Secretary General of COSAS 20th NEC Cde Bongane Ndlovu on Motsweding FM current Affiairs at 17h00pm.
Frequency 87.9 to 107.9
Dstv channel 809
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21/03/2023

Tune in🖤🤍.

Catch COSAS 20TH NEC Head of Information and Publicity Cde Kamogelo Maluleka tomorrow at Thobela FM 05h30am🖤🤍

21/03/2023

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21/02/2023

Immediate release
21 Feb 2023

"A soldier without any political ideological training is a potential criminal"

Provincial Task Team of North West we distance ourselves from itself appointed PTT.

As PTT of North West we are very much flabbergasted by the ceremony which done by Tebogo dunga Magafane and his puppets ,we would like to distance ourselves from "Mokete Wa di katse"that has be done by former SG of 19th NEC .

We want to part it categorically clear all who are in REC/RTT we will have to apply the code of Conduct of the Organisation deal with them accordingly.No one should bring the Organisation of Ephraim Mogale in disrepute and be left happy

Furthermore the coordinator depatured with ANC ,then the office of Convenor appointed acting Coordinator which is Sipho Pitso to deliver Fruitful and unity Congress

We tightened take this opportunity to say PTT of NW rally behind the 20th NEC that is lead by President Scalo Mahladisa and Secreaty Genera Bongane Ndlovu.

Our objective as Province remains interest of young people particular students

Issued by PTT
Convenor
Tlotlego Mogapi
063-246-5069
Acting Coordinator
Sipho Pitso
081-078-0462

21/02/2023

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COSAS 20TH NEC President General Cde Scalo Mahladisa will be in North west, Dr RSM region, Lekwa-teemane sub region as part of Back to School Campaign🖤🤍 to visit Gaopalelwe Secondary school and Vaaloewer Combined school.

10/02/2023

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The Revolution of Black and White Army🖤🤍.

25/01/2023

20th NEC🖤🤍

24/01/2023

National Student Financial Aid Scheme.

❗️❗️❗️Students who wish to be funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) in the 2023 academic year are urged to submit their applications with all required supporting documents no later than 31 January 2023.

21/01/2023

COSAS National 🖤🤍

COSAS National 20th NEC encourages all whom did not make it, to register for matric re-write that will be written on May/June Mid year.

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21/01/2023

COSAS North West Statement on Back to School Campaign and the release of Matric results of 2022

For immediate release
To: All Media Houses

20 January 2023

“Educated Black Masses is a threat towards white domination”

COSAS North West embarked in its annual cultural Back to School campaign in the first day of its academic calendar and it is still continuous until February. COSAS visited various schools in all four regions to assess readiness, school’s success and challenges faced by the learners as the custodian of the schools. We want to make it clear that upon our school visits we have noted that nothing much has changed in the sector.

We noted that all the councillors of all political parties also visited the schools across the province and we want to state it to the society that they are of no assistance in ensuring that we fight the challenges faced by our schools and in ensuring that there is smooth progress in the programme of teaching and learning.

Majority of the primary schools in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Naledi Sub-district particularly Moeti Primary Schools is heavily overcrowded and that is caused by the issue that there is a primary school that has been constructed for almost half a decades and it’s not complete, as politicians has turned that construction in to political-economic battle field. We call on the MEC of Education to ensure that she brings an end into this and fast track the process of opening that new Primary School (Huhudi Primary School) in Vryburg.

The challenge of admission it’s still a concern. The schools deals with the admission of learners when the classes are supposed to have commenced. The application opens in July to November, but our parents don’t use that opportunity. We call upon all the councillors not to go the community only when it’s the elections, but to also go door to door and ensure that parents and guardians have applied for learners to enrol in schools.

We call on all district directors to initiate a process of disciplinary hearing for all the school principals that withheld the learners academic report despite the MEC releasing a circular in December mandating them not to do so. They need to be disciplined as they contribute to the challenges faced by the learners, schools and the parents in the begging of the year.

We also call on all parents to take our education serious and actively be involved. Our parents must not only participate in our education only when it’s convenient to them or when there is a crisis. Parents must normalise to regularly attend the school meetings and participate in all the process. Stationery in some schools is issued before the school reopens, but we were disappointed that Majoro of our parents did not utilise such time.

We visited schools that were visited by the ANC leadership and Councillors in Dr RSM and we must highlight that we are very disappointed that they just went to school for pictures. We found that they were learners coming to school with barefoot from home and they did nothing or bothered to intervene. COSAS PTT identified all learners without shoes in the schools that we visited and we sent the list to the Executive Speaker of Dr RSM to buy those shoes.

We are inspired by the public schools that have managed to hire security personnel to ensure the safety of its learners and teacher. We also encourage SGB and Managements of other schools to do the same. The security personnel must be extended to work also after hours to protect the schools properties.

After the Back to School campaign NW COSAS PTT will have a meeting with the MEC to discuss the solutions in resolving all the problems that are faced by our schools in North West and strengthen the relations between COSAS and the department.

We congratulate the class of 2022 all who have made it and those who did not, we know and understand that it was not an easy road especially in the midst of unending loadshedding and structural and systematic inequality in our school, but despite majority of the learners emerged victorious. All the best to all who passed and hard luck to those who did not, we encourage those who’s still wish write to make use and exploit the second chance programme by the department of education.

We welcome the North West Matric and congratulations all the matriculants of 2022. We are happy with the slight improvement that led to achieve 79.8% and for maintaining position 4 national. We thank all the teachers, SGB, QLTC, Principals and department officials who ensured that Matrics received necessary support.

The North West Matric Results ceremony organised by the department of education was graced and blessed by the COSAS PTT led by cde Tlotlego Mogapi and the MEC stressed the importance of working with COSAS and highlighted the important role COSAS has and continue to play in the sector.

As North West COSAS PTT, together with the office of the premier, relevant stakeholders and the department of education we have set the bar high with the target of 100% for Matric 2023 and have committed ourselves to work very hard to make it possible.

“We are the new generation striving for the attainment of Academic Excellence”

Issued on behalf of COSAS North West PTT

For enquiries:

Tlotlego Mogapi
063 246 5069
[email protected]
PTT Convener

Aobakwe Modisaotsile
068 255 0355
PTT Spokesperson

COSAS strives for and is committed to achieve dynamic ,free,fair, quality and compulsory education f

19/01/2023

Secretary General speaks, tune in.

18/01/2023

CONGRESS OF SOUTH AFRICAN STUDENT(COSAS) MEDIA STATEMENT ON LATE MATRIC RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT,
18 January 2023

Congress of South African Students as part of the biggest stakeholders within the Department of Basic Education, arrogantly condemns the late announcement of Matric result of 2022 Matriculants.

We noted with concern the continuing distance between the Department of basic education and that of higher education. This is a concern particularly with regard to post-school education and training. The
unfair and unjust character displayed by both the basic education sector and higher education transpires after the Department speculated that there was a cheating conducted during 2022 final examination, it is for this reason that majority of learners will be unable to enroll nor register with various institutions of higher learning due to this unforeseen occurrences that has never happened in the history of Matric result announcement.

The Matric results of 2022 are to be announced 6 days after Colleges and universities commenced with registration. The Congress of South African Students potently expresses a demand to all institutions of higher learning both Universities and Colleges to at least grand 2022 Matriculants candidates more time to can enroll and register courses of their choice. We further note the barriers that learners face once completing matric and seeking access to higher education. One of the barriers to entry in higher education includes the so-called application Point Scores (APS) which are not nationally standardized nor regulated. These forms of academic exclusion will definitely affect the class of 2022 if not managed properly and that will lead to learners in their majority taking gap years after completing matric.

The release of IEB senior certificate results before the NSC speaks directly to the inequalities we are faced with in the basic education sector. Hence, we are still of a firm view that private schools should be nationalized despite the fact that the IEB is based on the south African National curriculum.

Further more no learner must be denied an access to their matric results statement because of the debt of textbooks, as South African Schools Act (SASA) of 1996 dictates that any learner from quintile 1 to 3 schools must be exempted from paying school fees.

The School Fee Exemption policy articulates that "each school, through its school governing body (SGB), must determine fees and inform parents and caregivers about the exemption policy", such processes must be followed to ensure that the policy is satisfied to the latter core.

ISSUED ON THE BEHALF OF 20TH NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

For inquires

Scalo Mahladisa
President General
(079) 774 1072

Secretary General
Bongani Ndlovu
(063) 377 8266

Email:[email protected]
Twitter:
Facebook: COSAS National
Web:www.cosas.org.za

17/01/2023

President General speakers

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25/12/2022

30/11/2022

STAMENT OF THE CONGRESS OF SOUTH AFRICAN STUDENTS ON THE OVERDUE 20TH NATIONAL CONGRESS.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
30 November 2022.

The 19th National Executive Committee of COSAS was elected in February 2019, in line with the constitution of the organization an NEC is supposed to serve the membership for a period of 24 months / 2 years. As it currently stands we are now 2 years and 9 months into a term of office that has not been beneficial for the organization and its members but certain individuals who continue to thrive by sucking life and credibility out of this mighty organization.

We note with disappointed and concern the statement issued by comrade Magafane and comrade Douglas purporting to be on behalf of the 19th NEC, That says nothing besides “look at us we have PHD,s in insults and Character assassinations” it doesn’t even require much intelligence for one to see that comrades are merely blowing hot air because they fear the loss of their gravy train and personal propaganda machine which the two have reduced this dignified organization to. We wish to rubbish the claims made that they are ghostly figures from the ANC that have compelled us to change the date of the national congress, however the decision is informed by the fact that the dates that were set by Tebogo Magafane of the 21st – 24th December 2022 were simply unrealistic, furthermore those who know the PYA and COSAS in particular will know that never in the history of the organization have we ever convened after the national congress of the ANC especially when we have not been having policy and constitutional seating’s to mandate those we deploy to the ANC congress, in the absence of proper mandate from structures those who will represent COSAS are going to speak for their jackets and those of the ghostly figures from the ANC they claim we are controlled by.

We wish to put in on record without any fear of contradiction that these two comrades are the ones who are in fact controlled by ghostly figures from within the ANC this was proven by their desperate attempt to establish a COSAS 2.0 made up of convocants that would lord over the elected structures of COSAS, a desperate attempt to auction off the independence of the organization of scholars and ensure they lead it forever through this 2.0 was thwarted by members of the 19th NEC at the launch of this very same COSAS 2.0 which was initiated without consultation with the NEC collective and the membership as we believe such a venture should have first been cascaded to lower structures, the national Lekgotla or National Student Council for approval. These two comrades in question have took this organization and turned it into their own possession whereby we as elected leaders of the NEC are merely dragged along on decision we had no say in or knowledge of except after they release statements. An example of what we mean we say they have become the organization unto themselves and there are definitely ghostly figures controlling them is the recent media briefing called by the two comrades that made pronouncements on the ANC leadership contest, the NEC was never consulted about this moves and even the pronounced names. These two incidents are merely a tip of the iceberg.

If indeed this was a witch hunt from our part and not an attempt to correct our mistakes and heed to the call of structures of the organization whom have been demanding Congress we would have simply opened a case of fraud against the two for faking the signature of the president on more than one occasion. From the 25th – 27th February 2022 we convened for what was our 3rd and last NEC meeting since our election, we convened at Booysens Hotel in Gauteng. the said NEC meeting resolved to convene the national congress from the 24th – 26th June 2022. The SG when the NEC adopted a congress date stormed out of the meeting and subsequently they swallowed the outcomes of the meeting by not releasing a media statement on the outcomes of the meeting. Comrade Thabang Mamaila a fellow NEC member was illegally suspended by the two claiming he is busy rallying comrades to demand a national congress equally two other members of the NEC were in line to be suspended by these two criminals all so that they hog onto the scholar movement as they have no prospects beyond COSAS and their bishops would cease to take them seriously without this organization they suck life, dignity and credibility out of daily to fund their lifestyles or gain popularity.

If indeed these comrades were planning to deliver the congress on the unrealistic dates mentioned above emanating from a letter dated 7th November 2022 then why the sudden panic when a realistic date has been provided?. As stated earlier that an NEC meeting had mandated the SG to long convene the congress but instead of doing so he and his populist lacky resorted to suspending comrade Mamaila, Comrade Caroline the Deputy President and threatening other NEC members with a similar fate and disbandment for provinces. When all this is considered it becomes crystal clear that it falls upon the presidency to lead this organization to congress as has been the prayer of the last NEC meeting and provinces.

We wish to put it categorically clear that provinces that have not yet convened conferences are in this state because comrade Magafane and Douglas have been frustrating the leadership composition in these provinces by reconfiguring and changing task teams as if they are changing under wears all this without consultation with the collective that makes up the 19th NEC. We will unchain COSAS from these two parasites so as to give it an opportunity to be renewed and repositioned from this gutter of insults and clownish statements they have reduced it to, if history judges us harshly for salvaging what is left of this glorious movement before these hyaenas and their masters completely destroy is so be it!

ISSUED ON BEHALF THE 19TH NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
FOR INQUIRIES

Thabang Mokoena
President General
060 926 0444

Scelo Mandlazi
1st Deputy Secretary General
076 853 3928

Email: [email protected]
Twitter:
Facebook: COSAS HQ
Web: www.cosas.org.za

23/08/2022

Dear South Africans:

We urge anyone who might have information regarding the whereabouts of Former COSAS NEC/NWC Member Comrade Daniel "Shorty" Khambule to come forward.

Please assist us in reuniting him with family, friends and comrades.

Please forward any piece of information to COSAS HQ or Comrade Nkhobo Khomohoe on +27718382891.

Your assistance will be highly appreciated.