President Jacob Zuma arrived to screaming crowds and chants of “my president” ahead of his expected address at Cosatu’s May Day rally in Tshwane on Sunday.
Alighting from luxury black car, a relaxed-looking Zuma, dressed in a warm sweater and jacket, shook hands with a number of delegates as he made his way up to the stage in Moretele Park, Mamelodi. He was accompanied by SA Communist Party general secretary Blade Nzimande and Congress of SA Trade Unions president Sdumo Dlamini. Both had included red in their day’s wardrobe. Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement activist Mohammed Desai and ANC Gauteng chair Paul Mashatile were also in attendance.
Crowds behind a barrier waved their arms in their air, screamed with excitement, took cellphone pictures, and blasted vuvuzelas as they got a glimpse of Zuma.After they took to the stage, Zuma, Nzimande and Dlamini held hands and joined a choir in singing the union anthem Solidarity Forever.
“May Day is marked internationally to honour workers for their struggles to achieve conducive working environments and fair wages,” the ANC said in a statement earlier.
The Congress of SA Trade Unions’ theme for the holiday was: "Celebrating 30 Years and Defending Collective Bargaining, Workers, Jobs and Rights".
Senior ANC officials were expected to deliver messages of support at Cosatu rallies across the country on Sunday.
News24
