South Africa
In photos: Numsa’s Johannesburg march
Thousands of National Union of Metalworkers SA (Numsa) members marched across the country on Tuesday to mark the first day of the strike in the metals and engineering industry. GREG NICOLSON was in Johannesburg to capture the union at Metals Industry House.
A Numsa member sits on a ledge at the back of the crowd on Anderson St holding a knobkierie.
Union President Andrew Chirwa, centre.
Cosatu General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi addressed union members after being swamped by the crowd when he arrived. It was clear that Vavi had huge support from the marchers.
A Numsa member wields a sjambok while leaving the march to return to the starting point in Newtown.
Numsa members outside Metals Industry House on Anderson St in Johannesburg. As usual with the union’s marchers, they ran much of the way there.
Err…
Upset at the late start to the official event in Joburg, Numsa members try to pull their own banner off a bus they brought to the march.
Numsa members yell at a march marshal as they get annoyed that official addresses from the leaders are delayed. At times it looked as though the situation could turn violent, but it never did.
A shirtless Numsa member leads the march back to Newtown after official proceedings end. DM
MAIN PHOTO: 4485 – “We demand 12%, not Marikana part 2” reads a sign from the union’s marchers. There was dispute in the crowd about the union’s recent decision to lower the wage demand from 15% to a 12% increase. All photos by Greg Nicolson.