SA SHUTDOWN WRAP | 'Ramaphosa will be the death of us,' say protesters as they threaten more action if demands are not addressed
August 24 2022 - 22:30
'Ramaphosa will be the death of us,' say protesters as they threaten more action if demands are not addressed
Protesting workers have given the government 14 working days to address their demands around the economic and energy crises plaguing South Africans.
Protesters on Wednesday threatened further protests if nothing was done.
With some placards saying “Ramaphosa will be our death”, thousands of protesting workers, including the young and old, painted Pretoria red as they marched with their placards in the air from Burgers Park to the Union Buildings.
August 24 2022 - 18:46
President is not your shop steward. He’s not fighting for your rights, say unions
Unemployment, gender-based violence (GBV), poorly performing state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and lacklustre service delivery. These were among the litany of complaints raised by Durban trade union members who heeded the call for a national shutdown on Wednesday.
Thousands painted the town red as people made their way from King Dinuzulu Park to the city hall, where they handed over a memorandum to provincial transport MEC Sipho Hlomuka, on behalf of premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, amid a strong police presence.
August 24 2022 - 17:12
WATCH | 'We need salary increases!' – Protester explains why she marched
Hundreds of people marched in Cape Town as part of the national shutdown against the rising cost of living and other issues affecting workers.
Raeesah Achmat, receptionist at Red Cross hospital, said she was protesting because the cost of living has become too high.
“I can't take my children out to a restaurant. I cut out fast food to try to save the money that I would have used to entertain my children. And still my salary does not last us until the end of the month.”
August 24 2022 - 13:07
Protesters have reached the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
August 24 2022 - 12:51
No shutdown at schools as unions take to the streets
The national shutdown got off to a slow start, with the department of basic education indicating it was business as usual at schools.
Department spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said there had been no reports of disruptions.
He said pupils must focus on their school work as the sector was still recovering from Covid-19's devastating impact.
August 24 2022 - 12:47
'Fix the economy, we are struggling,' says Tshwane shutdown protester
“It is a sacrifice I am willing to make to get the message out, for the upcoming generation,” says Thabo Rangwato, one of the protesters gathered in Tshwane for a march through the city to highlight socioeconomic concerns.
Though the private sector and government are enforcing a no work, no pay policy for the so-called “national shutdown”, Rangwato, who works in the public service, said he stayed away from work because “we are struggling and the issues are evident”.
August 24 2022 - 12:46
High electricity tarrifs in municipalities are leaving our pocket dry and we demand @Eskom_SA and Municipalities @SALGA_Gov @NationalCoGTA to address the challenge says workers.
August 24 2022 - 12:16
Workers demand subsidy to public transportation because the fares we pay are huge before reaching workplaces says workers at march in Tshwane.
August 24 2022 - 11:38
'We are defending the working class': Shutdown protest kicks off
Thousands of workers are expected to stay away from work and strike in response to load-shedding, fuel price hikes and escalating food prices.
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August 24 2022 - 11:34
WATCH | Festive atmosphere at shutdown march in Durban
There was a festive atmosphere as music blared at King Dinuzulu park in Durban on Wednesday where members of two unions gathered as part of the national protest.
There was a strong police presence as about 500 people, mainly members of the SA Democratic Teachers' Union, slowly trickled into the assembly point before the march at about 10am.
August 24 2022 - 11:30
South Africans are paying over R500 more for food than a year ago
No respite from stress and anxiety of trying to feed the family and keep homes functioning, according to latest Household Affordability Index.
August 24 2022 - 11:21
IN PICS | Thousands take to the streets for national shutdown protest
Scores of South Africans took to the streets on Wednesday in solidarity with Cosatu's call for a national strike against the rising cost of living in SA and undermining of collective bargaining by employers.
August 24 2022 - 11:12
SA's unemployment rate dips — here are the four sectors with the biggest job gains
SA's unemployment rate has seen an overall decline for the second time in almost two years, with four sectors recording the biggest job gains.
The latest Stats SA data, released on Tuesday, showed the unemployment rate declined by 0.6% from 34.5% in the first quarter to 33.9% in the second quarter.
According to the data, 648,000 jobs were gained in the second quarter.
August 24 2022 - 11:05
No work, no pay
The @thedpsa warns that it will apply the ‘No work, no pay” principle to public servants taking part in the strike called by the South African Federation of Trade Unions & Congress for South African Trade Unions.
August 24 2022 - 11:03
Saftu members singing at Burgers Park
August 24 2022 - 10:17
Fewer pupils at school, but teaching is unaffected: Gauteng on stayaway
Schooling in Gauteng is proceeding uninterrupted on Wednesday amid the planned national shutdown by labour unions, says the education department.
“We have received positive reports from our districts across the province stating that learning and teaching has not been disrupted at schools. However, our districts have communicated a challenge of average learner attendance in some schools.”
August 24 2022 — 07:35
Shutdown stayaway: It's legal but salaries will be docked
The work stayaway organised by trade unions Saftu and Cosatu is legal, employers and the government confirm.
“The protest action has been approved by the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) and therefore has protected status,” the National Employers Association of SA said.
August 24 2022 — 07:20
Johannesburg's roads are quieter than usual, showing some workers are heading the call for a national shutdown on Wednesday
“At the moment it’s relatively quiet in the city of Jo’burg. We have noted low traffic volumes compared to other days. It would be because most people are not heading to work or school,” said Xolani Fihla, JMPD spokesperson.
"We haven’t received any reports of interruptions as yet," he added.
- Kgaugelo Masweneng
August 24 2022 — 7:00
All set for national strike by workers against socioeconomic conditions
Thousands of workers are expected to stay away from work and strike as two of the country’s trade union federations and unions affiliated to them embark on a national shutdown on Wednesday.
The Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) said the national strike was in response to load-shedding, fuel price hikes and escalating food prices.
“This socioeconomic strike also represents a push back and a response by the workers to the ongoing class warfare directed at them by both public and private sector employers,” Cosatu said.
August 24 2022 — 6:59
Business accused of callous profit chasing
The planned shutdown is a message to business that they cannot continue ignoring the plight of the poor.
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Government accused of inaction
South African Federation of Trade Unions General-Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi says the country has been calling for assistance with rising levels of unemployment and the increased cost of living, but government has done nothing.
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National Shutdown | Institute of Risk Management SA warns of possible dire economic consequences
The Institute of Risk Management South Africa has warned of possible dire economic consequences from the planned national shutdown set to take place across South Africa on Wednesday.
The Institute says the envisaged national shutdown featuring the country's biggest trade union federations would have a detrimental effect on the already weak economy.
Crippling protest action has been announced by two of South Africa's most prominent trade union federations Saftu and Cosatu as they rally against the rising fuel and food prices.
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