The flurry of reports in the media about the huge 60% wage increase the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is seeking for their members at the bottom end of the industry in its annual wage negotiations, has imparted a sombre and dramatic note to it.
The recent birth of the Workers and Socialist Party (Wasp) on Human Rights Day in Pretoria is undoubtedly significant for the trade union movement, the broader working class and civil society.
There’s no question that the issue of whether ANC deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe would challenge president Jacob Zuma for the party presidency in Mangaung last month was more prevalent than any other in the South African media last year.
