By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Workers’ Day, celebrated on May 1, has its roots in the global labour movement of the late 19th century, when workers began fighting for shorter working hours, including the now-standard eight-hour working day, as well as safer conditions. At the time, it was common for labourers to work 10 to 16 hours a day under harsh conditions.
This year’s May Day comes at a time when workers are facing a deepening cost of living crisis. In the last five years, the cost for electricity has increased by 68%; water by 50%; food by 45%; primary education on the one hand by 37%, while secondary education has risen by 42%.
The situation is likely to worsen given the war in the Middle East, with escalating oil costs leading to higher petrol, diesel and paraffin prices.
Unemployment is still alarmingly high at 41.1% and over 70% for young people aged between 15 and 24. While economic growth is far below the 3% required to create jobs.
This year also marks the 140th anniversary of International Workers’ Day, but in South Africa, May Day only became an official public holiday in 1995, following the country’s first democratic elections in 1994.
Workers’ Day was commemorated amid high unemployment, especially among the youth.
According to Statistics South Africa, the official unemployment rate stood at 31.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025, the lowest reading since the third quarter of 2020.
However, with just over 17 million people employed during the last quarter of last year, fewer than half of working-age South Africans had jobs.
The challenge is even more pronounced among younger South Africans. According to Statistics South Africa, about 34.0% of people aged 15 to 24 were not in employment, education or training in the fourth quarter of 2025.
That translates into millions of young people who are not earning, not studying, and not building skills. “Some young people have been disengaged from the labour market, and they are also not building on their skills base through education and training – they are not in employment, education or training, “said Statistics South Africa.
Speaking at the May day rally in Polokwane, Cosatu president Zingiswa Losi said that joblessness must be addressed with the same urgency as the COVID-19 pandemic.
“All spheres of government and employers must be mobilised and held accountable for their contributions to crushing unemployment, “said Losi.
Losi called for urgent relief to address the sharp increase in the cost of living, calling for lower fuel and electricity prices.
She said retrenchments in both the public and private sector are worsening hardship.
“What hope is there for the matriculant in Phalaborwa or for a disabled bus driver in Makhado when jobs are scarce? When we are battling this single greatest threat that is facing the nation.”
“We must therefore condemn those employers, both in the private and in the public sectors, who see nothing wrong with retrenching workers in this economy of ours.”
Despite acknowledging progress since the end of apartheid, Losi warned that inequality, crime and corruption continue to undermine these gains.
She added that more resources are needed across the criminal justice system to tackle corruption effectively.
“We appreciate progress being made to remove the cancer of corruption across the state, in particular SARS. But more must be done. The police require working vehicles, the NPA requires skilled prosecutors, the courts require magistrates. This is a war that we dare not lose. Politicians, employers and tenderpreneurs who steal, must go to prison.”
Deputy president Paul Mashatile, who delivered message of support said the ANC must emerge victorious in the local government elections and that victory is certain.
He also reaffirmed the ANC’s commitment to the unity of the working class following its traditional ally, the SA Communist Party’s (SACP’s) decision to contest the upcoming municipal polls independently.
“Workers are not just participants in the economy; they are the foundation of it. Without workers, there is no economy,” Mashatile stated.
He added that the unity of the working class is not a luxury and expressed the ANC’s concern about the recent developments relating to the SACP’s decision.
Mashatile warned that the Tripartite Alliance must avoid the fragmentation of the working class’ struggles.
SACP central committee member Dr Alex Mashilo said the differences in the alliance need cool heads and leaders to be level-headed.
Meanwhile Julius Malema addressed Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) members and supporters in Marikana in the North West.
He said his party opened the nomination of councillors from Friday and that the process is expected to be concluded at the end of the month.