Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
19 December 2024 | 16:20 CAT

SAPS, City officers ‘ready’ for festive season safety. (File-Photo/The Cape Towner)

A troubling trend of violence during the festive season has prompted the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA) to issue an urgent appeal for responsible behaviour from South Africans. GIWUSA’s spokesperson, Mametlwe Sebei, spoke to Radio Islam International, emphasizing the annual surge in domestic, street, and suburban violence that characterizes this period.

“We see an unfortunate rise in violence every festive season, fuelled by factors like alcohol abuse and societal frustrations,” Sebei noted. “Our call is for South Africans to approach this time with care and responsibility.”

Reflecting on the year, Sebei highlighted ongoing struggles for the working class, including unemployment, poverty, and collapsing public services. “2024 was a year of merciless toil for many. The rising cost of living and precarious work remain key challenges,” he said. GIWUSA has been at the forefront of battles for minimum wages, housing, and against outsourcing, while continuing to defend workers from job losses and unfavourable practices.

As the festive season unfolds, Sebei expressed concern over the conditions exacerbating dangers during the holiday period. “The carnage on our roads reflects systemic public transport and infrastructure failures,” he remarked. Poorly maintained roads and the lack of affordable, safe transport options contribute significantly to accidents and fatalities.

Sebei also pointed to the disparities in holiday experiences underpinned by inequality. “For the black working class, December is not about luxury vacations but survival. Many cannot afford festive spending, which often intensifies financial and emotional strain, leading to violence and gender-based abuse,” he explained.

In 2025, GIWUSA envisions renewed struggles for better wages, public transport, and improved infrastructure. “The elite cannot solve these crises; the working class must continue fighting for their aspirations,” Sebei declared.

In the meantime, the union urges citizens to act responsibly. “Avoid drinking and driving. Walk away from fights. Enjoy festivities safely,” Sebei advised.

Meanwhile, Sebei expressed unwavering solidarity with the people of Palestine amid ongoing tensions. He emphasized the importance of standing against oppression and highlighted parallels between struggles for liberation worldwide.

Sebei stated, “The plight of the Palestinian people is a stark reminder of the need for international solidarity. Their resistance against colonialism and apartheid mirrors our own history and our continued fight for justice and equality.”

He further urged organizations and individuals to advocate for human rights and challenge systems of oppression globally, linking the Palestinian struggle to broader movements for freedom and self-determination.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round Up with Moulana Junaid Kharsany and GIWUSA’s spokesperson, Mametlwe Sebei.