Getrude Makhafola

Getrude Makhafola

Schools were deserted in Soweto yesterday as teachers continued their strike and vowed not to go back until their demands were met.

Hundreds of Gauteng members of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) gathered at Elkah Stadium in Rockville, Soweto, yesterday.

They toyi-toyied while shouting: "Madisha knows what we want, he knows all our problems, its 12percent or nothing."

Sadtu members are on strike along with thousands of other government employees from various departments demanding a 12 percent pay increase, while the government has offered six percent.

Vincent Monametsi, a teacher in Soweto, said he would not mind being on strike for a month, as long as he got what he deserved.

"We know we should not strike for more than a week, but I am prepared to be defiant this time.

"I feel sorry for the learners, but at some point one has to fight," Monametsi said.

Another teacher, who identified herself only as Xoliswa, said: "It is better we suffer for a month or two than a lifetime."

Ronald Nyathi, Sadtu's Gauteng spokesman, said no schooling would take place until their demands were met.

"There will not be a single teacher at work any time soon.

"Those who continue to teach will be named and shamed," he said.