This came after members of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and the South African Teachers Union (Sadtu), amongst others, marched in solidarity to the premier’s office in Bloemfontein to hand over a list of demands. Ntombela says she recognises the unions’ efforts in speaking out on behalf of workers and getting their grievances heard. She applauded Cosatu specifically and encouraged the union to continue to fight for its members.

“I know that you are here on behalf of the workers… and on behalf of the country and I thank you for that,” uttered Ntombela. She further added that she has accepted their demands and will provide feedback in due course.

OFM News today reported that Cosatu, along with other unions in the province, participated in a national strike to speak out on key issues that demand the government’s urgent attention. Some of the issues in the Free State that was highlighted by the provincial secretary of Cosatu, Monyatso Mahlatsi, was corruption and the increase in gender-based violence in communities, amongst other pressing issues.

OFM News