Workers demand more, better...
NAMHLAMONAKALI
MONAKALI@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
NAMHLA
Hundreds of workers braved wet weather on Thursday 1 May to attend the 2025 Workers’ Day rally organised by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) at the Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town.
The event, held under the theme “Defend Collective Bargaining, Oppose Austerity, Fight Unemployment”, served as both a commemoration of past labour victories and a call to action for fairer economic policies in the face of ongoing hardship
Delivering the keynote address, Cosatu secretary general Solly Phetoe urged workers to oppose austerity measures and fight for a more inclusive and worker-centred economy
“The working class continues to bear the brunt of budget cuts and slow wage growth while the cost of living increases,” Phetoe said “We must not accept a future of shrinking rights and shrinking jobs ”
Phetoe condemned public sector cutbacks and warned that austerity threatens service delivery, jobs, and economic recovery He also reaffirmed Cosatu’s support for collective bargaining and the protection of public sector employment
Minister of Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth, who also addressed the rally, acknowledged the persistent challenges faced by South Africa’s workforce She emphasised the government’s commitment to employment creation and the enforcement of labour rights “Workers remain the backbone of our economy, ” said Meth “We must ensure that the rights enshrined in our Constitution are not only protected but meaningfully implemented ”
She highlighted recent increases in the national minimum wage and progress in extending legal protections to vulnerable groups like
BUDGET CONSTRAINTS WERE UNDERMINING ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT
domestic workers and farmworkers
Despite rain, workers arrived carrying union
flags and banners, chanting slogans, and engaging in songs that recalled the labour movement’s history of resistance Unions from various sectors, including health, education, and transport, were present, using the opportunity to reflect on the status of worker rights under democracy
“This day reminds us of the blood, sweat, and tears that built the rights we enjoy,” said Thando Mabaso, a teacher and union member from Khayelitsha
“But we must keep pushing, many of us still earn far too little to survive ”
South Africa’s unemployment rate remains high at 31,9%, with youth unemployment at 59,6%, according to Q4 2024 figures from Statistics South Africa Workers continue to face economic pressures, including rising food and transport costs, while public service unions remain locked in disputes over wage agreements and job cuts
Phetoe criticised Treasury’s fiscal policy, arguing that budget constraints were undermining essential services and public employment
The rally concluded with a renewed call for unity among workers and increased pressure on both government and the private sector to prioritise job creation, fair wages, and social equity
“Workers’ Day must not be reduced to a calendar holiday,” Phetoe declared “It is a call to mobilise and defend what we ’ ve fought for and to demand better ”
Despite rain, workers arrived carrying union flags and banners, chanting slogans, and engaging in songs that recalled the labour movement’s history of resistance. PHOTOS: SHAKIRAH THEBUS
Hundreds of workers braved wet weather on Thursday 1 May, to attend the 2025 Workers’ Day rally organised by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) at the Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town
Nomakhosazana Meth addressed the rally and acknowledged the persistent challenges faced by South Africa’s workforce
Fevolving to meet the needs of young children in communities and advocating for transformative change across the sector
Elru is hosting one of its biggest fundraising events at the Jive Funny Festival on Saturday 7 June at 20:00 at the Baxter Theatre, at R250 per ticket
The organisatio has provided quality early-childhood development training and services since 1978
“It is considered a pioneer in the sector, Elru director Tracy Fortune said, “having piloted various programmes and providing models for best practice Its research of the sector has been used to advocate for universal access to quality ECD programmes throughout South Africa ” Elru runs programmes and interventions in the greater Mitchell’s Plain, greater Athlone, Guguletu, Samora Machel, Khayelitsha, Dunoon, Kuils River, Delft, Saldanha, Vredenburg, Klupmuts, Franschhoek, Langa, Kayamnandi, Louwille, Witterklip, George Kerridge and Laingville in the Western and Northern Cape and North West Facilities in Crossroads, Guguletu and Nyanga are the Centre Support Programme (CSP) They provide ECD centre principals and practitioners with tools for sound governance, leadership and operational best practices They are funded by Coronation Fund Managers
Nwabisa Manana, principal of Nosiseko Educare Centre in Guguletu, shares its success story: “I am very proud to say that today I am a competent practitioner through Elru’s training Understanding all the Eldas (Early Learning and Development Areas) and aims that underpin the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), and implementing all the learnings, it enabled Nosiseko to operate at the quality levels it does
“The method our facilitator pursued, of sharing what we learnt after every session and recapping before a new session, worked very well for me
“It really helped me, enabled me to grow, and my classroom is no longer chaotic as it used to be, because planning is what I love and enjoy doing With Elru everything is practical I am no longer struggling to plan play-based activities ”
Fortune said Elru launched its first ECD teacher-training programme in the 1970s “In the last financial year the Centre Support Programme reached 710 ECD centres, supported 2 585 ECD practitioners and benefited 31 953 children
Such a programme plays a critical role in advancing skills development and employability of disadvantaged youth and women Through accredited ECD training, practical work exposure and small-business support CSP equips practitioners with the tools it needs to build sustainable livelihoods Women-led ECD centres receive business development and compliance support, while unemployed youth gain valuable hands-on experience and pathways into the ECD ”
By buying a ticket to the Jive Funny Festival people will support this organisation’s work, helping it provide a good start for children in the most vulnerable communities
Fortune said funds raised will address the national shortage of qualified early-learning educators by training 2000 ECD practitioners annually across South Africa
“It is estimated that more than 300 000 ECD practitioners currently remain untrained, highlighting the urgent need for scalable, high-quality training interventions Each trainee costs R25 000, so an investment of R50 million will provide participants access to accredited online training, learning materials, mentorship and ongoing professional development ”
. To buy a ticket to the Jive Funny Festival or for more information on Elru’s programmes and how to get involved,visit www elru co za or email: reception@elru co za,or contact 021 762 7500
Nwabisa Manana interacting with children at Nosiseko Educare Centre.
WSarah Pearson debuts with nostalgia, vulnerability Entertainmentfor theentirefamily
Beloved South African theatre company KickstArt Theatre, in association with the Baxter Theatre, is bringing its award-winning pantomime magic to Cape Town for the first time this winter, with Jack and the Beanstalk - a delightful production for the whole family
With shows scheduled Tuesdays to Sundays during the school holidays, this spectacular theatrical adventure invites families, friends and fans of all ages to swap screen time for story time - and enjoy one of Cape Town’s most magical family activities this winter
After enchanting Durban audiences for nearly three decades, KickstArt Theatre is ready to spark a new family tradition in the Mother City
From the award-winning creative team behind South Africa’s productions of My Fair Lady and Beauty and the Beast, and the director of The Sound of Music, this year ’ s production of the pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk is written and directed by Steven Stead and designed by three-
time Fleur du Cap winner Greg King
The Cape Town cast stars Waterfront Theatre School graduate William Young as the plucky Jack, with Roshanda Lewis as the golden-voiced Princess Jill, and Blessing Xaba of Spud fame, as Jack’s long-suffering mother, Dame Flora Flatbroke
They’re joined by a stellar ensemble including Bryan Hiles, Brent Palmer, Liesl Coppin, Lyle Buxton and Samantha Landers
In a rare treat for Baxter audiences, Jack and the Beanstalk will include Sunday shows - giving busy families more flexibility this winter Blending classic storytelling with toe-tapping music, comedy, romance, masses of audience participation, outrageous costumes and magical sets, this theatre show is a giant adventure for all ages, on stage at The Baxter for just 24 days, from Thursday 3 to Sunday 27 July
Book online via Webtickets or at Pick n Pay stores .For schools' bookings,fundraisers or charities contact carmen.kearns@uct.
Scene for the Jack and the Beanstalk PHOTO: VAL ADAMSON
