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Nehawu members protest outside Bheki Mhlangeni Hospital in Soweto on 8 March 2023. (Fani Mahuntsi/Gallo Images)

Public sector strike will further test the ANC’s alliance with Cosatu trade unions

Relations have soured between Nehawu and its alliance partner, the ANC

Dondo Mogajane, director general of the South African National Treasury, Enoch Godongwana, South Africa’s finance minister, David Masondo, South Africa’s deputy finance minister, and Edward Kieswetter, commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), (left to right), make their way to the budget presentation in Cape Town, South Africa, on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022. South Africa cut corporate taxes and set more ambitious targets for reducing debt, after a surge in commodity prices led to higher-than-expected tax income. (Dwayne Senior/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Government stares down public wage conundrum

Workers are in the throes of a cost of living crisis, which could force the government to fold on its hard line against more spending

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga. (Photo: Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Sadtu says Motshekga bowed to pressure from Umalusi to allow rewrite

The teachers union and several learners will appear before the Pretoria high court on Thursday, where they will ask that Motshekga’s decision for a national rewrite of two leaked…

Walking the tightrope: Finance Minister Tito Mboweni makes tough budgetary decisions. (Dwayne Senior/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

State’s wage freeze sparks apoplexy

Public sector unions have cried foul over the government’s plan to freeze wages for three years and have vowed to fight back.

This week teacher unions called for the closure of schools until after the Covid-19 infection rate had peaked.

Teacher unions know their power — and how to use it

After unions demanded that schools be closed this week, the department has said it is the cabinet’s prerogative to decide whether schools should close

The union said the resolution to close schools was taken during a special meeting of its national executive committee, which sat on Tuesday, to discuss the spike of the virus.

Sadtu calls for the closure of schools

Citing cases such as a school to which only four learners returned, to be met by 20 teachers, the union said Covid-19 is wreaking havoc on learning

South African Transport and Allied Workers Union members demanded an 8% wage increase. The 2018-2019 salary bill for public servants is 50% of all government revenue.

National budget overload piles up

Public service unions negotiating wage increases blame budget constraints on reckless governance

Money is an impediment but so too is the lack of political will, accountability and quality teacher training and support

Motshekga blocks re-employment of thousands of teachers

The department of basic education wants to block the reappointment of public school teachers who have resigned in order to access their pension funds.

Sadtu general secretary Mugwena Maluleke says the union will oppose the teaching of Mandarin at schools with “everything we have”.

Teaching Mandarin at school ‘will colonise SA anew’ – Sadtu

The education department is offering pupils the option to learn a Chinese language, but the union wants more emphasis placed on indigenous languages.

Unions gun for basic education’s Soobrayan

The South African Democratic Teachers Union wants to be represented at basic education director general bobby Soobrayan’s disciplinary hearing.

Sadtu rebels against state’s big stick

Teachers vow to fight minister’s plan to bring back ‘destructive’ and ‘autocratic’ school inspectors.

Irate teachers spell out Sisulu’s role

Unions say she is interfering in the business of the basic education department and must back off.

Public Service and Administration Minister Lindiwe Sisulu.

Lindiwe Sisulu’s public service plans raise Sadtu’s ire

Lindiwe Sisulu’s plans to whip the public service into shape have put her on a collision course with the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union.

A watershed moment for Sadtu

A watershed moment for Sadtu

Sadtu’s call to members to examine their role in delivering education is a sea change in attitude.