National shutdown: Here’s what you need to know

Several areas across various cities in South Africa are expected to be affected by the national shutdown on Wednesday.

Trade union federation Cosatu, a key labour ally of the African National Congress (ANC) is planning to bring the country to a standstill.

It says members are ready to take to the streets against the rising costs of fuel and food and the continuous power cuts

ALSO READ: Cosatu plans to bring economy to a halt in nationwide strike

The union has outlined its plans to bring the economy to a standstill in a bid to get the government to acknowledge the socio-economic crisis facing millions of South Africans.

@thecitizen_news Visit Citizen.co.za for more information #fyp #foryou #thecitizennews #nationalshutdown #southafrica #cosatu ♬ original sound – The Citizen

SAFTU, TAC and Social Youth Movement join the march

However, Cosatu is not alone in its mass protest action across the country.

The South African Federation of Trade Unions’ (Saftu) national shutdown is also set to go ahead on Wednesday in six provinces where Saftu and its allies will strike to “defend and advance the socio-economic interests of workers and the working class at large”.

Limpopo, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, Western Cape and the Free State are among the provinces where protests are expected to take place.

“National Shutdown” was trending on Twitter on Monday and Tuesday.

Other organisations are also expected to embark on mass protests nationwide in their individual capacities.

The Social Youth Movement share a tweet saying it also supports the national shutdown.

Campaign Coordinator Zaki Mamdoo tweeted: “The current status quo is unjust and is upheld and maintained through the exclusion, exploitation and oppression of millions. The free, prosperous, just and sustainable world we want to live in will not be handed to us. We must mobilise and fight for it.”

The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) says it will also be joining the national shutdown of South Africa.

“TAC joins Trade Union Federations, other progressive forces & the country at large in a national shutdown protest. We firmly stand with the working class & other civil society organisations that will participate in the mass action on the 24th.”

Affected cities

Plan your routes on Wednesday

While several political parties, civic organisations and supporters have indicated they will join demonstrations, there’s clearly no social cohesion or clarity on whether this will be a joint march between the two main unions.

Here are some of the routes and places to avoid if you are not part of the national shutdown.

Gauteng:

• Demonstrators will gather at Burgers Park in Vander Walt street in Tshwane from 9 am and make their way to the Union Buildings.

Limpopo

• Assembly point will be at SABC Park in Polokwane from 8am. Thereafter marcher will make their way to the premier’s office on Rodenstein Street (next to the High Court).

Eastern Cape

Two gathering points:

• University of Fort Hare. Demonstrators will then head for the provincial legislature offices on Independence Avenue.
• Victoria Ground Stadium in King William’s Town.

Western Cape

There are two known assembly points:

• Marchers plan to assemble at Keizersgracht from 8 am. Marches will then make their way to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, the provincial legislature, and finally, the Parliament precinct.
• Prasa metro-rail offices in Cape Town picket.

Mpumalanga

• Demonstrators will meet at Broadway in Witbank before marching to Eskom Park.

Northern Cape

There are several assembly points:

• Roodepan open arena (Galeshewe),
• Old Greenpoint (N8),
• Pick n Pay Open Space (Seochoareng street, Galeshwe), then proceed to Kemo open space.

North West

There are three assembly points across the province.

• Rustenburg Taxi rank. Thereafter marchers head to the municipal offices.
• Mahikeng at the Montshiwa Stadium before proceeding to the province’s legislature.
• Klerksdorp assembly point: The medical centre before proceeding to the Department of Minerals.

Free State

There are two assembly points:

• Old Phuthaditjhaba square
• Bloemfontein: The Batho Community Hall before proceeding to the Premiers Office

KwaZulu-Natal

• Assembly point: King Dinuzulu Park (Botha Park)

ALSO READ: A shutdown just a platform for Vavi and his minority trade union to gain some relevance – expert