Sihle Mavuso presents the latest news from KwaZulu-Natal.
Durban – The leadership of trade union federation Cosatu visited and addressed the legion of striking workers at Ushaka Marine World in Durban today. Cosatu president Zingiswa Losi assured them that they had the federation’s support. The workers belong to Cosatu affiliate the South African Municipal Workers Union, which is demanding better wages from the ANC-led eThekwini Municipality. Their strike is now in its second week after wage negotiations broke down.
Newcastle – The EFF Student Command has kicked off its campaign to win the elections at Majuba College in Newcastle. Their campaign started after the student wing of MK was given the nod by the Jacob Zuma-backed party to contest the elections, throwing a new challenger into the mix with the ANC-aligned Sasco. The college has six campuses, with the biggest one near the Newcastle city centre.
KwaXimba – The community protest in KwaXimba in Durban over a lack of water continues unabated. The strike started last week and it is now getting violent and affecting some factories in the Cato Ridge industrial area. Last night, some of the roads in the area and those leading to the local industrial park were blocked. The leaders of the strike have vowed to carry on until the water service is restored.
Umsinga – The ANC is set to invade the IFP stronghold of Umsinga in the KZN Midlands on Wednesday and secretary general Fikile Mbalula will lead the activation rally. This is as the governing party prepares to launch its manifesto at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban on Saturday. Umsinga is one of the oldest strongholds of the IFP. In 2011, when the ANC-NFP coalition snatched almost all KZN municipalities from the IFP, Umsinga and Ulundi remained loyal.
Durban – A senior MP of the National Freedom Party (NFP), Shaik Emam, has explained his association with the newly registered African Movement for Change (AMFC) political party and its decision to use his face on their posters. In a letter dated 19 February 2024 to his colleagues, Emam said the party approached him to be its face but he had not signed anything with them. He said the party “jumped the gun” and prematurely used his image. In the same letter, he also said he is aware that the NFP may not be able to contest the elections, due to its ongoing squabbles and that is very concerning to him.
Pictured above: Striking workers at Ushaka Marine World.
Image source: Cosatu
