The opposition party has accused Cosatu of standing in the way of the youth wage subsidy, which they argue could create an estimated 423,000 jobs for young unemployed citizens.

Zille's party is taking the march very seriously, and will be accompanied by Parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko, youth leader Makashule Gana and national spokesman Mmusi Maimane, in protest against what they term Cosatu's bias against the unemployed and in favour of those who already have jobs.

But what we are concerned about is the tone set by the parties ahead of today's march.

When the DA first mooted the march, Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said then the opposition party would never understand what it would be like to be a young black woman who earned a minimum wage.

Cosatu and the DA have been at each other's throats, especially over the other issue of labour brokers.

But latest reports suggest the DA will find it hard to see its march to the finish.

Unions affiliated to Cosatu at the weekend vowed to bring the march to a screeching halt.

It is not up to us to judge who is right and who is wrong in this instance, but we think the DA, like any other South African citizen, has the right to voice their opinion. So does Cosatu.

They also have the right, like every other citizen, to engage in a peaceful march.

The issue raised by the DA touches a raw nerve as it speaks to the thorny question of unemployment.

Nothing stops the two parties from coming to the table to discuss this serious issue.

South Africa became the envy of many countries, including the so-called civilised world, when forces that held diametrically opposite views came together in Kempton Park to give birth to our democracy.

Cosatu, its unions and allies have called on its members to come in great numbers to ensure that the DA march does not materialise.

The power struggle between the DA and Cosatu should notturn nasty and physical.

The country has healthy platforms where such differences can be thrashed out.

The two parties represent South Africans, and it will not hurt to try harder to discuss issues of common interest, including ways of creating jobs for the millions who remain unemployed.

Comments

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Sat May 25 13:21:54 SAST 2013 ::

May 15, 2012

Papage

Stop provoking peace please Helen, march to the Government not Cosatu. We expect you to lead this country in the future, but if you are acting like a child, then arrest my case.
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May 15, 2012

ApelMankotsana

Silly, unneccessary, provocative and politically not calculated. This reminds me of a march by the Inkatha Freedom Party in 1994 marching the Luthuli House. Guess what!!!! The members of Umkhonto We Sizwe were on top-roof of the Luthuli House shooting MaZulu a Inkatha to hell. People lost their lives. I hope the DA will be responsible in their march.....else.
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May 15, 2012

cornelius

@ I do not think this March is well conceived but at the same time the response of COSATU is very disturbing. They are fporever ( rightly) relying on the democratic and constitutional right to march, but now they call this march a declaration of war ( and have of course also raci.alised it) and have vowed to come out in their number to physically stop the march i.e.. with violence. More disturbing is that the JHB Metro Police have given in to COSATU and re-routed the march, instead of ensuring the DA's freedom constitutional right to march peacefully. WTF ??
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May 15, 2012

SeshegoGuY

I passed them on my way to work at the Jo'burg Library (Beyers Naude Square). They are slowly gathering in numbers....
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May 15, 2012

PleaseGetReal

More disturbing is that the JHB Metro Police have given in to COSATU and re-routed the march, instead of ensuring the DA's freedom constitutional right to march peacefully. WTF ??

That sucks, it just shows that some are more equal than others.

Wish I could be there, I would support this.
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May 15, 2012

DA-DBN-GUY

COSATU as well as the anc have just proven that we DO NOT live in a democracy! COSATU, anc and their yob leeg can march whenever they feel like it but when the official opposition, true guardians of democracy in SA, try they are intimidated and threatened. The anc will ensure this country will become a second Zimbobwe and the masses are only too happy as long as it is a black m.oron who leads them.
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May 15, 2012

The-Rothschilds

NUMSA should be taken to the human rights commission for its unjustified threats!
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May 15, 2012

RobinH

Ridiculous exercise.
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May 15, 2012

DA-DBN-GUY

ROBINH

I disagree. If the DA sit back they will be seen as a white party who dont care about black people. This march however unsuccessful or successful and the exposure it has already garnered and the fact that it irks COSATU and other so called trade unions sends a message that the DA is willing to go out and be heard. Their top brass on in this march. Have you seen that with any anc, COSATU alliance march?
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May 15, 2012

CheeseBoy

The DA should be marching against the ruling party and not one of its beeitches.
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