Strikes increase
Industrial action by black workers has increased dramatically in the first half of the year. Compared to the same period in 1993, the number of work days lost through strikes has almost doubled. Most strikes occurred in the public sector and in mining. Ruling class pundits blame workers' "heightened expectations" before and after the elections for the upsurge. A survey has shown that there were many more "unprocedural" or wildcat strikes. Strikes were over demands for higher wages, and a considerable number were in protest at racist practices by companies, especially in the mining and retail industries. A contributing cause is that many annual wage negotiations were postponed or delayed by the elections.
AZAPO backs RDP
The Azanian Peoples' Organisation (AZAPO) will pursue the struggle for black liberation through discussions with the African National Congress to influence the implementation of the Reconstruction and Development Program (RDP), AZAPO central committee member Nkosi Molala told the June 24 edition of New Nation. AZAPO boycotted the April elections. Nelson Mandela and AZAPO president Itumeleng Mosala agreed after the elections to the establishment of a task force made up of representatives from both organisations, Molala said.
He stressed that the RDP's implementation should favour the black majority. For example, there should be a moratorium on public works in the suburbs, and resources should be redirected to the townships. AZAPO will continue political campaigns for the return of land to the dispossessed and black economic empowerment. AZAPO will participate in the 1999 elections.
Speed up RDP, says Maharaj
ANC transport minister Mac Maharaj has suggested the implementation of the RDP be speeded up. He told parliament in Cape Town on June 28, "The country cannot wait for the impact of medium and longer term initiatives of the RDP and national public works program. The year ahead is going to be a crucial teat for the transformation of our country." He called for immediate attention to be paid to rebuilding townships, skills training and boosting public transport.
PWV rules 'hands off' squatters
The ANC-dominated PWV provincial parliament voted unanimously on June 24 for a moratorium on the eviction of squatters. The motion was precipitated by the eviction of squatters by the Democratic Party-controlled Johannesburg City Council. ANC members slammed the DP for its "apartheid-era" behaviour in turning people out of their shacks during bitterly cold weather. Sicelo Shiceka, PWV minister for planning and land reform, said the council was refusing to make thousands of hectares of land under its control available to ease the housing shortage.
Minister for housing Dan Mofokeng also announced that the PWV government would keep secret sites selected for housing projects in an effort to prevent desperate home-seekers invading the land. The PWV government remained confident that 150,000 homes would be built in the region this year, he said.
Municipal workers refuse to evict
The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) said on June 28 that its members would refuse to evict squatters if ordered to do so by the Johannesburg City Council. Five thousand workers marched on the civic centre in Braamfontein. The marchers denounced the Democratic Party, and also demanded wage rises and a transitional council prior to municipal elections due later this year.
Mandela to mediate in Angola
President Nelson Mandela has agreed to try to broker a settlement between the warring parties in the Angolan civil war. Angola's ruling MPLA and the anti-government UNITA, which refused to accept the outcome of Angola's general election, have been engaged in talks in Zambia for the past eight months. Fighting has escalated over recent weeks. Both the MPLA and UNITA have welcomed Mandela's decision.
AAM decides future
Meeting over the last weekend of June in London, the British Anti-Apartheid Movement decided to dissolve in October and reform itself into an organisation dedicated to promoting solidarity with southern Africa. Chairperson Bob Hughes, a Labour MP, said, "For the people of South Africa, and the people of the whole region of southern Africa, the apartheid state brought about tremendous problems that can only now be addressed".
By Norm Dixon in Johannesburg