THE move by the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) to establish only one union in the education sector should send shivers down the spines of those committed to pluralism.

THE move by the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) to establish only one union in the education sector should send shivers down the spines of those committed to pluralism.

The current situation, with various unions, is a reflection of South Africa's commitment to democratic pluralism.

Since Sadtu is an affiliate of Cosatu - which is politically aligned with the ANC - it is also a reflection of our multiparty democracy. So a single union goes against the country's commitment to a democratic order.

Pluralism is also an effective model of the distribution of power in societies.

It is common knowledge that Sadtu is the most powerful union in the sector but it is also a union that has been caught using that power irresponsibly.

Giving such a force such power can only be disastrous because power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.