SAMWU CALLS ON WORKERS TO ATTEND MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS NATIONWIDE
29 April 2026
SAMWU CALLS ON WORKERS TO ATTEND MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS NATIONWIDE
The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) calls on all municipal and water sector workers, their families, and the broader working class to actively participate in the May Day commemorations on 1 May 2026, organised by our federation, COSATU.
May Day is more than a public holiday, it is a day forged in struggle, sacrifice, and the blood of workers who fought for dignity, fair conditions, and the fundamental rights we exercise today. From the historic 1886 Chicago strikes to the militant traditions of organised labour in South Africa, May Day remains a powerful symbol of working-class unity and resistance against exploitation.
For SAMWU, this day is also a solemn moment of remembrance. We honour the memory of our comrades who lost their lives in the tragic 2003 bus accident while travelling to May Day celebrations in QwaQwa, Free State. These were committed trade unionists who, in their final moments, were moving to stand in unity with their class. We carry their legacy forward, their sacrifice reinforces our resolve to continue the fight for workers’ rights.
May Day 2026 arrives as we reflect on the deepening crises within our municipalities. Workers face the persistent non-payment or late payment of salaries, the collapse of service delivery, and the systematic victimisation of those who speak out against corruption and maladministration. These realities are a direct assault on the dignity of workers and undermine local government’s role as a vehicle for community development.
We find ourselves at a critical juncture for the municipal sector. Municipal workers are battling worsening conditions, political interference, and austerity measures designed to roll back hard-won rights. The erosion of capacity within local government is a direct result of the undermining of its workforce. Therefore, workers must use May Day not only to commemorate the past but to organise for the future.
We call on all workers to attend May Day rallies in massive numbers under the COSATU banner. Our participation must not be merely symbolic; it must be a demonstration of collective power. We must send an unmistakable message to employers and the state that the working class remains organised, militant, and ready to defend its interests.
Furthermore, SAMWU emphasises that May Day must serve as a platform to deepen political consciousness. As we approach the local government elections, workers must recognise their power to shape the political and economic direction of the country.
We urge all SAMWU members to mobilise within their workplaces, regions, and communities to ensure a maximum turnout. Let May Day 2026 be a definitive display of unity, strength, and our unwavering commitment to a just and equitable society.
Issued by the SAMWU Secretariat
Dumisane Magagula
General Secretary
076 580 4029
Sam Lekhuleni
Deputy General Secretary
076 785 9969
Papikie Mohale
National Media Officer
076 795 8670