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==Role of COSATU==
==Role of COSATU==


On 14 November [[COSATU]] announced that the strike was suspended but workers continued with their strike.<ref>[http://sacsis.org.za/site/article/1491 The Farm Workers' Strike: It's Far From Over], by Anna Majavu, ''SACSIS'', 15 November 2012</ref><ref>[http://dailymaverick.co.za/article/2012-11-16-why-the-farmworkers-defied-cosatu Cape winelands: Why the farmworkers defied Cosatu], Jared Sacks, ''Daily Maverick'' 16 November]</ref> The next day, most farmworkers remained on strike. This lead to a split between the Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU), which is affiliated with COSATU, and the leadership of COSATU in the Western Cape with the former opting to support the farmworkers in defying COSATU's agreement with government.<ref>[http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/26-held-over-de-doorns-strike-1.1425218#.UKau4RLJX_g Twenty Six held over De Doorns strike], ''Cape Argus' 16 November]</ref><ref>[http://dailymaverick.co.za/article/2012-11-16-why-the-farmworkers-defied-cosatu Cape winelands: Why the farmworkers defied Cosatu], Jared Sacks, ''Daily Maverick'' 16 November</ref> According to the ''Daily Maverick'' Cosatu did not have a democratic mandate to call off the strike on 4 December 2010.<ref>[http://dailymaverick.co.za/article/2012-12-05-western-cape-winelands-the-strikes-over-nothings-solved Western Cape winelands: The strike's over, nothing's solved], Benjamin Fogel, ''The Daily Maverick'', 5 December 2012</ref>
On 14 November [[COSATU]] announced that the strike was suspended but workers continued with their strike.<ref>[http://sacsis.org.za/site/article/1491 The Farm Workers' Strike: It's Far From Over], by Anna Majavu, ''SACSIS'', 15 November 2012</ref><ref>[http://dailymaverick.co.za/article/2012-11-16-why-the-farmworkers-defied-cosatu Cape winelands: Why the farmworkers defied Cosatu], Jared Sacks, ''Daily Maverick'' 16 November</ref> The next day, most farmworkers remained on strike. This lead to a split between the Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU), which is affiliated with COSATU, and the leadership of COSATU in the Western Cape with the former opting to support the farmworkers in defying COSATU's agreement with government.<ref>[http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/26-held-over-de-doorns-strike-1.1425218#.UKau4RLJX_g Twenty Six held over De Doorns strike], ''Cape Argus' 16 November]</ref><ref>[http://dailymaverick.co.za/article/2012-11-16-why-the-farmworkers-defied-cosatu Cape winelands: Why the farmworkers defied Cosatu], Jared Sacks, ''Daily Maverick'' 16 November</ref> According to the ''Daily Maverick'' Cosatu did not have a democratic mandate to call off the strike on 4 December 2010.<ref>[http://dailymaverick.co.za/article/2012-12-05-western-cape-winelands-the-strikes-over-nothings-solved Western Cape winelands: The strike's over, nothing's solved], Benjamin Fogel, ''The Daily Maverick'', 5 December 2012</ref>


==Resumption of the Strike in 2013==
==Resumption of the Strike in 2013==

Revision as of 09:05, 18 January 2013

The Western Cape 2012 Farm Workers' Strike began on a farm near De Doorns on the 27th of August when a group of largely female workers walked off the job.[1] It then spread to other areas.[2] It has been described as 'organic' and organised by workers without mediation by political parties or trade unions.[3] The strike was finally called off on 4 December 2012.[4]

According to the Mail & Guardian "the fact that the protests spread so fast after decades of ­quiescence shocked the country."[5] It has been suggested that the strike was, in part, inspired by the Marikana miners' strike which took place earlier in the year.[6]

Forms of Protest

The strike included road blockades and burning vineyards.[7] The police reported that shops were also looted.[8]

Violence

A 28 year old man, Michael Daniels, was shot dead by the police on 14 November 2012.[9] A 40 year old man, Bongile Ndleni, was shot dead, allegedly by a private security firm, on 17 November 2012.[10] Amongst other reports of police violence it has been reported that a ten year old girl was shot in the face with a rubber bullet by the police.[11]

Role of COSATU

On 14 November COSATU announced that the strike was suspended but workers continued with their strike.[12][13] The next day, most farmworkers remained on strike. This lead to a split between the Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU), which is affiliated with COSATU, and the leadership of COSATU in the Western Cape with the former opting to support the farmworkers in defying COSATU's agreement with government.[14][15] According to the Daily Maverick Cosatu did not have a democratic mandate to call off the strike on 4 December 2010.[16]

Resumption of the Strike in 2013

The strike was resumed in January 2012. It was, again, accompanied by considerable police violence.[17] Nosey Pieterse, the president of the Black Association of the Wine and Spirit Industry and general secretary of Bawusa, the Bawsi Agricultural Workers Union of South Africa, emerged as the primary leader in the strike in January 2012.[18] Letsekang Tokhwane, 25, was shot dead by the police on 14 January 2013[19]

See also

References

  1. ^ Fire in the Vineyards: The Making of a Farm Worker Uprising in the Hex River Valley, by Chris Webb, Amandla, 8 November 2012
  2. ^ Leaderless farm strike is 'organic', Sean Christie, Mail & Guardian, 16 November
  3. ^ Leaderless farm strike is 'organic', Sean Christie, Mail & Guardian, 16 November
  4. ^ Western Cape winelands: The strike's over, nothing's solved, Benjamin Fogel, The Daily Maverick, 5 December 2012
  5. ^ Farm workers deserve better, Mail & Guardian, Editorial, 16 November 2012
  6. ^ Notes from a Farmworkers Strike, by Ben Fogel, Mahala, 7 December 2012
  7. ^ Western Cape protests: calmer day, thicker plot, Rebecca Davis, SACSIS, 16 November 2012
  8. ^ Farmers should decide workers' fate - Agri SA, The Citizen, 16 November 2012
  9. ^ Western Cape protests: calmer day, thicker plot, Rebecca Davis, SACSIS, 16 November 2012
  10. ^ Western Cape protests: Bloody hands in private security firms?, Rebecca Davis, Daily Maverick, 19 November 2012
  11. ^ De Doorns: Police action breeds hostility, Benjamin Fogel, The Mail & Guardian, 18 January 2013
  12. ^ The Farm Workers' Strike: It's Far From Over, by Anna Majavu, SACSIS, 15 November 2012
  13. ^ Cape winelands: Why the farmworkers defied Cosatu, Jared Sacks, Daily Maverick 16 November
  14. ^ Twenty Six held over De Doorns strike, Cape Argus' 16 November]
  15. ^ Cape winelands: Why the farmworkers defied Cosatu, Jared Sacks, Daily Maverick 16 November
  16. ^ Western Cape winelands: The strike's over, nothing's solved, Benjamin Fogel, The Daily Maverick, 5 December 2012
  17. ^ De Doorns: A community enveloped by fear and anger, Benjamin Fogel, The Daily Maverick, 14 January 2013
  18. ^ In the eye of the winelands storm: Nosey Pieterse by Rebbeca Davis, The Daily Maverick, 14 January 2013
  19. ^ De Doorns: Strike continues, in spite of Cosatu, Rebecca Davis, Daily Maverick, 17 January
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