In photos: Sadtu march to the Union Buildings

Sadtu members gathered in Pretoria to march against the continued employment of Minister of Basic Education and her Director General Bobby Soobrayan. The union blames the pair for terminating a 2011 collective bargaining agreement improving wages for exam-related work. Teachers speaking to Daily Maverick blamed Motshekga for the poor state of education and lack of resources in the schools.

The march, with numbers above 5,000, passed a school where children ran to see the excitement. Sadtu said most schools remained open while only shop stewards attended the march. Speaking later, the Department of Basic Education said a number of schools were affected, with the most closing in North West.

Photo: Closer the final destination, the unionists started to run, hard work in the sun.

Photo: Cosatu President S’dumo Dlamini wipes sweat off his forehead after a fast march up the hill towards the Union Buildings.

Photo: Sadtu members initially marched right up to the home of the presidency when they arrived, but then retreated to hear their leaders speak in the Union Buildings’ gardens.

Photo: Union members sit in the trees of the Union Buildings’ gardens.

Photo: Cosatu General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi spoke before the march started. He said this wasn’t just about a collective bargaining agreement, but improving the public education system so that students can get the education they need.

Photo: “Woman, we bought you false teeth,” read one placard directed at Motshekga. DM

Main photo: The march stretches out down Pretoria’s Struben Street. All photos by Greg Nicolson.