COSATU present at the Boycott Pharrell and Woolworths campaign

Rentse Khiba

22 September 2015

The Congress of South African Trade Unions was among the several political organizations present at the Boycott Pharrell Williams and Woolworths campaign.

Nehawu Provincial Secretary in the Western Cape Luthando Nogcinisa, said that as part of the world-wide progressive movement, his union organization owes allegiance to all oppressed people of the world.

Nogcinisa added that this is because non-South African organizations had aided COSATU’s own anti-Apartheid efforts.

“I hope that Pharrell Williams can find common ground with the oppression in Palestine and rethink his partnership with Woolworths,” Nogcinisa said.

He explained that, Pharell should know better, especially as a black artist, because black people in America have a history of slavery and oppression.

“So we think he should stop whatever he is doing currently”, Nogcinisa concluded.

 Meanwhile, Many of the protestors were minors.

One passionate group of high school students from Khayelitsha were able to sympathize with the plight of Palestinian children.

The students said they still like Pharrell’s music and his celebrity personality, but would not be attending his concert due to his affiliation with Woolworths.

The students emphasised that they are not against Pharell but are against what he is doing with Woolworths

“He should support us, he knows what it is like in South Africa”, one student said.