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.