Cosatu says they expect this year’s Workers’ Day rally in Port Elizabeth to attract bigger crowds than last year.
Scuffles broke out at last year’s celebrations in Bloemfontein, forcing former President Jacob Zuma to cancel his speech.
The event is now being talked up as a “building block” for the 2019 general elections.
Cosatu president, S’dumo Dlamini says they have let go of 2017 issues.
“That was in 2017. I believe that the 2017 issues have remained in 2017. We now have the new leadership that is here in the ANC and the government… and we really hope that people will never ever repeat what they did in Bloemfontein. That thing, Cosatu has condemned it, we cannot go back to that situation – and I believe that president Cyril Ramaphosa will receive a very warm welcome.”
During Freedom Day celebrations last week, Dlamini said there were many things that undermine the gains made in last 24 years.
He said prioritising the poor and the working class would give more meaning to South Africa’s freedom.
He cited an increase in the Value Added Tax, the use of labour brokers and retrenchments, among other issues.
