Mdu NtuliAbout 100 workers converged on Pietermaritzburg, the capital city of KwaZulu-Natal on May 26 and 27 to celebrate workers’ month. This was part of the Public Participation section 118(1) of the Constitution which makes provision for public access to and involvement in the provincial legislature.
Workers transformed the parliament into a sea of red. The participants were drawn from all three federations, Cosatu, Nactu and Fedusa. Cosatu comrades true to their tradition sang and debated the issues before them with great zeal.
The theme was ” the role of workers in a changing society and challenges that are facing them in a democratic dispensation” .
Sub themes were HIV/Aids in the workplace, job losses, casualisation, minimum wages, labour brokers and non-compliance to name just a few.
For just one day we no longer called each other ‘comrades’ but ‘honourable members’. We learnt the language of parliamentarians on point of order, where you must quote the relevant section for the point of order to be taken. It is unparliamentary to say “the honourable member is lying”. Rather say “the honourable member is distorting facts”.
Workers were appointed to various government portfolios such as Premier Julius Sithole (Cosatu), Speaker Dan Mabuyakhulu (Cosatu) and Chief Whip Fana Dlamini (Cosatu).
Cosatu was the ruling party and Nactu and Fedusa were the opposition, but we agreed on all issues that were debated. The proceedings were opened by the KZN Speaker Mr. Willies Mchunu (former Kzn Numsa educator).
In his opening address he outlined the role played by workers during the difficult times of apartheid. He also reminded us that this was not a talk show but all that we were going to say would be recorded in Hansard (minute book of parliament). The legislature will call a debate on issues we raised and adopt a programme of action.
Next year during workers’ month, another sitting will be called where the Speaker and Premier will account on all issues. Mchunu said the legislature wants to see a strong bond developing between workers and the legislature so that policies which are formulated could receive strong input from workers.