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Trade unions: The key for unions to remain relevant to workers is to address their most basic needs. Photo: My_Cosatu

Unionised workforce still ideal

We are proud of how far Cosatu has come since it was launched 40 years ago in Durban and the role it has played in ending apartheid, securing our constitutional democracy,…

Afro soul star: Berita will be holding a special Workers’ Day performance at The Market Theatre.

Berita’s ‘Echoes of The Soul’: A meditation on migrant workers

Berita’s Workers’ Day performance becomes a powerful meditation on migration, memory and xenophobia in a nation built through labour, movement and forgotten solidarities

As we commemorate Workers Day 2026, and 32 years into democracy, it is time for us to reflect on the rights of workers and confront unemployment. (SAFTU)

Editorial: Workers’ Day 32 years on

As we commemorate Workers Day 2026, and 32 years into democracy, it is time for us to reflect on the rights of workers and confront unemployment

Equality: Workers are judged based on appearance.

Hidden inequality in SA’s workplaces

Section 9 of the Constitution and section 6 of the Employment Equity Act (EEA) prohibit unfair discrimination on a wide range of grounds, including race, gender, religion and…

The CCMA uses dialogue based on conciliation and mediation to transform labour relations.  Photo: Ashraf Hendricks

Workers’ Day: How the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration can promote social justice through ubuntu

The CCMA uses dialogue based on conciliation and mediation to transform labour relations

The Democratic Alliance has claimed credit for the about-turn by the treasury on the tax, saying its legal team had presented a strong case against the flawed parliamentary process used to adopt the fiscal framework

Parties hail VAT reversal as ANC admits budget vote missteps

The Democratic Alliance has claimed credit for the about-turn by the treasury on the tax, saying its legal team had presented a strong case against the flawed parliamentary…

There is significant speculation about the effect of GenAI for the future of work and workers

Workers and the rise of the algorithmic boss

The issue lies in management-by-algorithm — the technologically ‘objective’ use of people analytics, big data and AI to manage the workforce

The Ampersand Mixtape 2 – Weekend Special. Listen on the M&G

Ampersand Mixtape 2: Weekend Special

Where does Workers’ Day come from? Why do we have weekends? What should we listen to on weekends? And why is Brenda Fassie’s first hit song essential for your weekend?

The Red On the Rainbow starring Tshireletso Nkoane and Dambuza Nqumashe (Photographer Ihsaan Haffejee)

Monageng ‘Vice’ Motshabi’s book and play question the real new South Africa

The The Red on the Rainbow is a story many South Africans can relate to as it asks the hard questions of where the rainbow is

The private sector can contribute to migration policy development to improve business operations, boost productivity and support the economy. (Oupa Nkosi)

Workers’ Day marks huge job losses around the world, exacerbated by the pandemic

The activism of people such as Tlou Theophilus Cholo laid the foundation for improve work conditions in South Africa

Sad reminder: Workers attended a May Day rally at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont township, north of Durban, on Wednesday. However, the event was not as well attended as was hoped by the union federation, Cosatu. (Rajesh Jantilal/ AFP)

It’s mayday for unions as May Day turnout disappoints

At best the rally was a sad reminder of just how badly the battle for control of the governing party have decimated the ANC’s alliance partner.

Most of the workers attending Cosatu’s May Day rally were less enthusiastic than these fiesty women. (Rajesh Jantilal/AFP)

Cyril can’t fill up the stadium either

A hot day at Sugar Ray Xulu with campaigning almost over may show why the ruling party should be worried

The ANC will leave a legacy muddied by political careerism, personality cults and corruption (David Harrison/M&G)

Ramaphosa tells workers: ‘Our country rests on our shoulders’

The president talked up his achievements in the last year at a May Day rally organised by Cosatu in Durban

EFF leader Julius Malema speaking at a May Day rally at Sankopano stadium in Alexandra. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Alexandra township is the place of forgotten people — Malema

The EFF leader says Alexandra is an indication of how the governing party has done nothing to improve the lives of township residents

Scheduled speeches have been cancelled after rally organisers attempted unsuccessfully to restore calm among workers.

President Jacob Zuma booed and heckled by Cosatu members at Workers Day rally

Cosatu has publicly backed Cyril Ramaphosa to take over as president, with Nehawu requesting that Ramaphosa address the Workers Day rally instead.

The DA is trying to ‘steal heroes’

Criticism of the Democratic Alliance has dominated speeches by political parties and union leaders at Workers’ Day rallies across the country.

Criticism of DA dominates Workers Day rallies

Criticism of the Democratic Alliance was a staple topic for political parties and union leaders at Workers’ Day rallies across the country.

So many public holidays

Public holidays for beginners

So many public holidays, so little history ed. We made up some stuff about public holidays and went out to test people’s credulity.

E-tolling hogs attention on Workers’ Day

E-tolling hogs attention on Workers’ Day

The fight against tolling was the hot topic of Workers’ Day as Cosatu and the SACP promised to step up their campaign against the government’s plans.

May Day protests sweep across Europe

May Day protests sweep across Europe

May Day protesters have poured into Europe’s streets, swept up in a wave of anti-austerity anger that threatens to topple leaders in Paris and Athens.