Johnathan Paoli
THE Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has announced its plans for the 138th Anniversary of International Workers’ Day on 1 May.
EFF leader Julius Malema is set to address Workers’ Day community meetings at the Temba Stadium in Hammanskraal, Matshivha Park in Soshanguve and Mthunzini Park in Mamelodi.
The Red Berets have said that the EFF was the only political party in South Africa that champions and stands for the rights of workers, and that the work of its labour desk far surpassed that of any labour federation in the country.
International Workers’ Day is annually celebrated on 1 May to honour the working class and acknowledge the contributions and struggles of workers and trade unions worldwide.
Originally born from the protracted struggle for workers’ rights and social justice of the late 1800s, Workers’ Day has been an international holiday in many countries since 1891; with the day being officially recognised and observed since the first democratic elections in 1994.
The party outlined its broader goals of advocating for workers’ rights and social justice in the country, including talks of the creation of a labour union linked to the party in 2022.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in the Western will be hosting the National Worker’s Day Rally at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Wednesday.
The May Day celebrations in 2024 is held under the Theme: “Building a strong and united COSATU in mobilizing for the ANC electoral victory.”
COSATU President Zingiswa Losi will deliver the keynote address. The ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa and the South African Communist Party General Secretary Solly Mapaila will deliver messages of support.
Losi said the federation’s Central Executive Committee took a decision for the Western Cape province to mobilize all communities and workers to celebrate International Worker’s Day and to reflect on how the country has progressed during the occasion of the 30th anniversary of a democratic government in South Africa, celebrating the provision of labour rights in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and all other labour standards from the International Labour Organization.
“We are also mobilizing workers across the province to vote for the African National Congress in the Western Cape on May 29, 2024,” Losi said.
The rally is expected to be attended by traditional leaders, the South African National Civic Organization (SANCO), faith-based formations, youth formations, various departments, and all other stakeholders in the province.
Various artists will be performing as part of the celebrations, and we have invited surrounding communities to join in the festivities.
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