Labour unions hail Zuma’s address

By Ofentse Mokae
12 February 2010

Labour organisations across the country have bravely welcomed President Jacob Zuma’s second State of the Nation Address.

With much passion, the South African Teacher’s Democratic Union an affiliate of Cosatu, a member in the tripartite alliance led by the ANC said it congratulated Zuma for his stance on prioritising education.

“We are pleased to note that education continues to be a priority but we feel it is high time these undertakings and commitments are put into place as soon as possible,” said the union in a statement.

The union is particularly pleased that grade 3, 6 and 9 learners will write literacy and numeracy tests that are independently moderated and that 27 000 schools will be audited by officials from the Basic Education Department and to be reported.

The teacher union expressed concern that the President has missed the opportunity to command the entire society to take education as a societal issue.

“It is crucial that the Head of inspire the nation to do everything in their power to support our teachers and learners,” the union added.

Numsa also a COSATU affiliate noted t notes the gist of President Jacob Zuma’s State of the Nation Address delivered on the occasion of Nelson Mandela’s 20th Anniversary freedom from apartheid jail.

Numsa said the speech was located within the context of persisting challenges of service delivery, rampant corruption, ballooning unemployment, mass poverty, widening income inequalities amongst the rich and poor amongst others.

The union however flashed out their disappointment that Zuma failed to commit government to a radical and thorough review for monetary, fiscal and inflation targeting policies saying this was the most serious and pressing problem facing our country.