Amandla Publishers

Joint Media Statement: Strike is Suspended

After three weeks of strike action by South Africa's public sector workers, trade unions have decided to suspend the strike. This is by no means an acceptance of the offer made by government. Labour demands included a wage increase of 8.6% and a housing allowance of R1000, government has responded with a 7.5% wage increase and a housing allowance of R800. Read the Joint statement below and the news reports on the strike.

Joint Statement - The COSATU Public Service Unions and the Independent Labour Caucus (ILC) that represent more than 1.3 million workers have been on strike for three weeks fighting for a living wage and improvement of the conditions of employment. Labour has decided to suspend the strike and this does not mean that we have accepted the state offer.

International Youth Day – 12th August 2010

International Youth Day is celebrated on August,12th. Let us not forget the contribution that youth across the world have made to our development. In South Africa, the youth were instrumental in the fight against apartheid. Today, South African youth still face many challenges, especially since youth unemployment is pegged at 74%. Amandla! brings you a series of articles on youth from our magazine archives.

Samantha Ashman, Ben Fine, Seeraj Mohamed and Susan Newman: Answers Needed on Bank’s ‘Policy by Stealth’

As much as 23% of SA’s wealth went abroad in 2007, according to research from the Corporate Strategy and Industrial Development Programme at Wits University. These outflows amounted to more than R450bn that could have been used for domestic investment, job creation and economic development.
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Zwelinzima Vavi’s Address to the Ruth First Memorial Lecture

On the 17 August 2010 Cosatu General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, delivered the address at the Ruth First Memorial Lecture at Wits University. The theme was "How policy is affecting the marginalised and its impact on poverty".

In keeping with the current issues faced by South Africa, Zwelinzima Vavi says "...we ask a question and pose a challenge to the journalists academics of today: How many journalists and academics have taken forward the legacy of Ruth First? How many on a daily basis, battle against poverty and inequalities and fight for economic justice as she did?"

Read the rest of the speech >

Cosatu in Bruising Pursuit of ANC's Soul

By Terry Bell
3 September 2010

Whatever the outcome of the current public sector dispute, it is perfectly clear that the overwhelming majority of public sector workers are bitter about the government; about the arrogance and incompetence displayed in the negotiations this year. But many are feeling the pinch after being on strike for more than two weeks and may - very reluctantly - feel they have to accept this latest offer.

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