South Africa on Strike

28.7.09

Striking municipal workers threw trash in the main streets of downtown Kimberley today. At first I was puzzled as I made my way past the trash.

My first reaction was to think that bags of trash had fallen from a dump truck by accident. My initial thinking was somewhat affirmed by a handful of folks who were trying to move the bags from the street.

It turned out that these folks were from the surrounding businesses and they were trying to get the flow of traffic moving.

As I watched these scenes it dawned on me that the trash on the streets was part of a national strike by municipal workers who are demaning better living wages.

My sympathies are with the workers. I can see why they are so frustrated and angry. Still, I also think their strike would be just as justified and powerful without throwing trash onto the streets.

As it stand now, this round of strike actions are destructive and it runs counter to the democratic interest in peaceful order.

If you are interested in the strike actions taking place all over South Africa you can start by reading this BBC article.

Onward!

Ridwan

Picture Credit