Thursday, 19 September 2019
Anna Majavu is a trade unionist and journalist currently completing a PhD in journalism.
Though they battle to find good grazing land and water, impoverished farmers on small plots of land will not be deterred by government’s failure to follow up with promises of support.
A lack of municipal grazing land for the livestock of township-based Eastern Cape farms results in them straying into streets, becoming impounded and incurring heavy costs for their owners.
Employees of the Expanded Public Works Programme have essentially become ‘permanent casuals’ who earn a pittance and have no job security or collective bargaining power.
Legal experts have questioned the interdict granted to a group of Eastern Cape farmers, saying it unjustifiably limits the farm workers’ constitutional right to speak out against alleged poor treatment.
The Sundays Valley farmers’ association has denied the accusations of abuse levelled by the local farm workers’ forum in the Eastern Cape, despite what workers say they have experienced.
Residents farming tracts of municipal land around Uitenhage are struggling with minimal equipment and water while the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality drags its feet on an urban agriculture policy that could help.
More than 10 years ago, rain destroyed the bridge over a ravine in KwaNobuhle. Since then, residents have been struggling through the water and mud in the gully, which is also a hangout for criminals.
Transnet decisions on bonuses and transport have been given as the reasons behind the unofficial go-slow, but Untu has pointed the finger at Numsa. Numsa has denied organising the strike.
The Nelson Mandela Bay branch of Demawusa is trying to come to terms with the loss of their chairperson, shot and killed outside his home. Was it a political killing?
Reliant on donations of building materials, food and paraffin as they rebuild shacks in the middle of winter, some residents are fearful they may have lost their jobs in addition to their homes.
A newly formed municipal union, which split from the allegedly corrupt South African Municipal Workers Union, has been barred from accessing workplaces to advocate for workers.