New Start

Overall the ANC got more than 70% of the vote in the March 1st Local Government Elections. In Johannesburg the ANC got more than 62% of the vote, and won 75 wards and 61 Proportional Representation seats, a total of 136 out of 217. News24 gives a good short summary of the overall position, linked below. Full results can be got from the IEC web site. COSATU’s statement on the election results is also linked below. Comrade Dan Mohapi was the Deputy Secretary of the SACP Gauteng Province. He very regrettably passed away on February 28th, on the eve of the election. Cde. Dan served the three main alliance structures in many capacities and at the time of his death was an ANC Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature and Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Transport, Roads and Works. Linked below is a fuller tribute to the late Cde Mohapi from the African National Congress. The reason given for the postponement of the SATAWU strike in their dispute with Transnet is that workers would be inhibited from taking part because of the trial of Cde Jacob Zuma due to start on Monday, March 6th. The strike is now scheduled for March 13th. A meeting with minister Alec Irwin will take place on March 9th. See linked document below. Links: ANC strengthened nationwide, Pressly, News24 (415 words) COSATU statement on local government elections (824 words) ANC Gauteng Province tribute to Cde Dan Mohapi (540 words) SATAWU, Transnet strike postponed (398 words)