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Khumbudzo Ntshavheni delivered the ANC’s message of support at the COSATU May Day Rally at Tsakane Stadium in Gauteng, May 1, 2026.
African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) member Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says the ruling party is committed to tackling South Africa’s high cost of living, which continues to burden workers.
Ntshavheni also urged the working class, led by Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and other labour movements, to unite against race and gender disparities.
She was addressing hundreds of COSATU-affiliated members in Brakpan on the East Rand on Friday, where they gathered for the federation’s provincial Workers’ Day rally.
“The next frontier of completing gender and race disparities remains in the private sector and requires a strong COSATU and a united strong labour movement. We need to strongly defend the transformation agenda of our govenemnt and we need to defend broad-based black economic empowerment and affirmative action. The ANC fully recognize the effects of the high cost of living on workers and the poor and we have a deliberate programme to address this.”
Workers fear escalating cost of living
Ordinary workers say their fears amid the escalating cost of living and regular job losses. Many say having a job no longer guarantees financial security.
Meanwhile, COSATU parliamentary coordinator Matthew Parks says workers are burdened by the high cost of living from electricity prices and debt.
Matthew Parks says the workers are already paying high prices for fuel, electricity and essential items.
National Workers’ Day Rally 2026:
