Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read
17 April 2025 | 09:12 CAT

SADTU members prepare to march in Pretoria, demanding government action against austerity measures and greater investment in public education.

The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) is set to lead a national protest march in Pretoria next Wednesday, calling attention to the devastating effects of austerity measures on public education. The demonstration will take place at the offices of the National Treasury, the Department of Basic Education, and the Department of Higher Education and Training.

The march aligns with the theme set by Education International: “Go Public and Fund Education.” Speaking to Radio Islam International, SADTU General Secretary Dr. Mugwena Maluleke emphasised the need to safeguard public services against neoliberal policies. “We’ve got to save public services like education and health that our people rely on,” said Dr. Maluleke.

SADTU warns that persistent budget cuts are already taking a toll on public education. “Children are suffering because there are no substitute teachers when educators fall ill,” Dr. Maluleke stated. “Teachers are mentally exhausted due to huge workloads and rising class sizes.”

The union is deeply concerned that the erosion of public education is paving the way for increased privatisation, a trend that became apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Many parents could not afford private education, and their children were expelled as soon as they were unemployed,” Maluleke noted.

As part of their demands, SADTU is urging the government to act decisively against corruption. “If we deal with corruption, we’ll free up funds to invest in public education,” he said. The union is also calling for stricter tax justice, curbing illicit financial flows and ensuring multinational corporations are held accountable for tax evasion. “Education is not an expense; it’s an investment,” Dr. Maluleke stressed.

The march will highlight the urgent need for policy shifts that prioritise quality public education for all. As Dr. Maluleke concluded, “We are saying, do the simple things you are supposed to do as government. Invest in our people, in our future.”

The protest marks a critical moment in the ongoing fight to preserve South Africa’s public education system.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round Up with Moulana Junaid Kharsany and Dr. Mugwena Maluleke here.