Extended chaos? National Shutdown could now ‘last for DAYS’

Could the misery of a National Shutdown last LONGER than first thought? According to the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU), the wave of strikes due to hit Mzansi on Wednesday may well extend beyond a ‘one-day event’.

When is the National Shutdown, and what time does it start?

General Secretary of SAFTU, Zweli Vavi, told a press conference on Monday that the planned scale of strike action would be sustained ‘for some time’ going forward. He sees this moment as an opportunity for the working class to ‘redress the balance’ in South Africa.

Whereas SAFTU are seeking social justice, millions of commuters face an almighty upheaval on 24 August. This National Shutdown has been in the pipeline for a while – and it will be backed by the political might of both the EFF, and the ANC’s tri-partite partner Cosatu.

SAFTU, Cosatu members set to strike ‘in their thousands’

Vavi is determined to ensure that whatever happens on Wednesday serves as a turning point for the non-elite South Africans. Rallying against youth unemployment, increasing food prices, and extortionate fuel costs, SAFTU certainly have plenty of grievances to raise.

“We aren’t working on making this a one-day event. SAFTU will sustain this level of strike action for some time. This must be seen as the beginning of mobilisation for the working class. It will not just be an isolated incident.” | Zweli Vavi

Critics of National Shutdown slam ‘attack on economy’

Not everyone is supportive of the proposed National Shutdown, though. Widespread economic disruption is likely to affect people in all provinces. Blocked roads, unmanned services, and depleted workforces can all be expected on 24 August – and one political heavyweight is seething:

I am beyond words to understand how COSATU and SAFTU believe shutting down the economy, which themselves have deliberately destroyed over the 28 years, will improve economy, hence no Trade Union will ever have a Veto Right on ActionSA Economic Policies

— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) August 22, 2022

For those requiring more information on the impending National Shutdown, we’ve got some recommended reading for you here…

• COSATU releases time and meeting points for national shutdown
• Next week’s National Shutdown ‘just got BIGGER’ – support swells in SA
• National Shutdown: Which roads, sites, and regions will be affected in Western Cape