The national public service strike did not succeed in shutting down South Africa on Thursday. But the government was wrong-footed by the strike turnout and the extent of public sympathy for the action, according to a strategically placed observer.
“The government thought it could call the unions’ bluff and there would be a repeat of the 1999 strike [which fragmented]. Since then we’ve had rising unemployment and a loss of union strength,” said the commentator. “There’s no doubt the authorities have been taken by surprise.”
However, he said he doubted the unions could sustain the action.
The South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) said all unions except the 20 000-strong Suid Afrikaanse Onderwysers Unie had joined the strike. Sadtu claimed 700 000 workers took action, including 320 000 teachers.
A Mail & Guardian spot check in Gauteng suggested a more patchy response to the strike call, with schools worst hit. But there was little evidence of anti-strike sentiment — and numerous expressions of sympathy — among workers and the general public.
Teacher dissatisfaction seemed widespread, although the race and political culture of teachers played a role in their response. Although some white teachers said they would not “down chalk”, there was general support for the protest marches to the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Up to 20 000 public servants are estimated to have marched in Pretoria to petition the authorities to meet their pay claims. More than 20 marches were also planned in other provinces.
Government offices continued to operate, in some cases on a reduced workforce.
The appearance of relative normality in the health sector may have been somewhat deceptive — some nurses said they planned to leave after checking on patients’ welfare. Some teachers also clocked in before leaving to march.
At the Department of Home Affairs office in central Johannesburg close to half the employees were on strike. An official who did not wish to be named said: “There are people striking, but we’re coping so far.”
Members of the public at the office seemed largely supportive of the strike, despite being inconvenienced by it. “The guys who are striking have a valid point. For key public servants like the police, teachers and medical professionals to strike, there must be something critically wrong,” said one of those in the queue, Michel Dirardin.
“I support the strikers. They are demanding for their needs, they have families to support,” said another queuer, Sam Mashele.
All the state hospitals visited by reporters were up and running, most with a full or largely full staff contingents. But staffers interviewed expressed solidarity with the strike, while some planned to leave work early.
At Leratong hospital on the West Rand, the majority of doctors and nurses turned up for work and all wards were functioning as usual. The only sign of the strike was the presence of about 20 National Education Health and Allied Workers Union members toyi-toying at the gate while waiting for a bus to take them to the march in Pretoria.
Carltonville hospital reported fewer patients than usual. CEO Lungile Dukwana said: “The strike has had no impact on service. All doctors and nurses are here.”
Johannesburg General hospital also seemed to be functioning normally. Nurses in the general wards, however, said they had gone to work to ensure their patients were fed and medicated, but were not planning to stay. “It seems all staff are here, but won’t be here all day. We are only here till hand-over, then we leave,” said one.
Trauma unit nurses said they had come to work to check on the condition of patients. “We care, but we also need to make a stance.” A doctor at the unit symbolically turned out his pockets, while one nurse commented: “It was pay day yesterday, and I’ve only got 68c left.”
Most nurses had taken off their badges to avoid being identified. Said one: “In 1992, those who didn’t strike were attacked by strikers. But we are going to support this thing, even if it goes on until Tuesday.”
Cleaners who form part of the essential services team set up by the hospital also said they supported industrial action.
In Troyeville, Johannesburg, black teachers said they were going to school in the morning but would attend the march later, while white colleagues said they would supervise the children.
In Khutsong on the West Rand, most schools were deserted. The handful of children who appeared in the morning left soon afterwards.
Teachers at Johannesburg’s elite Parktown Girls High School said the strike was not just about money. Headmistress Anthea Cereseto said her staff were marching in full force, but not for the one percent increase,” she said. “We are doing it for the future of our profession. We want the value of teachers recognised.”
The impact of race and political background emerged at an Afrikaans school in Benoni, where teachers voted not to strike. Teacher Elmarie Keyser said “downing chalk” was unprofessional.
The government’s “no work, no pay” stance seemed a major factor. Keyser said the loss of a day’s wages would be a big blow to her.
Some teachers, however, rejected the majority position. “We would achieve more if we stood together and joined the strike,” said Esmarie Sewester. Â “Everyone wants better pay, but how many people [at former white schools] are prepared to stand up?”
Chantelle Henning, a pupil at the school, said she thought teachers should strike. “Everyone knows the terrible conditions our teachers have to face.”
At Sir Pierre van Ryneveld High School in Kempton Park, there was further evidence of learner sympathy for the strikers. Student Tintswalo Sibuyi said it was unfair that non-strikers would also benefit if the strike succeeded.