Unions and civil society call for pro-poor budget outside Parliament

Hundreds of workers, unemployed people and civil society representatives marched to South Africa’s Parliament on Wednesday, demanding a budget that prioritises jobs, healthcare, education and social support ahead of Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement. The march included COSATU, SAFTU, DENOSA and the South African Communist Party. Newly elected COSATU president Shingange urged people to move beyond annual protests and put sustained pressure on the government, warning of a possible shutdown of Parliament in February. Cry of the Xcluded leader Thembeka Majali said the coalition was marching because many people were hungry and unemployment had worsened.