Workers from all corners of Limpopo flocked in numbers to form part of the workers day commemoration celebration ceremony that was held at the Louis Trichardt show grounds last Thursday.

One of the critical issues that workers deliberated on was the rise of food prices and electricity in South Africa.

In his address, a member of the central committee of the South African Communist Party (SACP), Mr David Masondo, said that it was sad that there were people who used their power to undermine strategies which government had put in place to eradicate poverty. "These capitalists use their economic power to persuade government to implement policies that lead to unemployment. They make a better life impossible. As workers we are saying no to privatization," he said.

The SACP, according to Masondo, opposes Eskom’s electricity tariff increase of by 55%. He saluted the delegation that he claimed voted correctly during the ANC conference in Polokwane in December last year. "These are the people who support free education, an increase of government grants to 18 years and discourage privatization," emphasized Masondo, who was a key speaker at the ceremony.

He appealed to workers and members of the respective communities to build their own cooperatives in their own communities so that they can produce their own foods. "The government should also consider opening agricultural colleges that have been closed for the past 14 years," pleaded Masondo.

The ceremony was attended by, amongst others, the MEC for Agriculture, Ms Dikeledi Magadzi, the mayor of Makhado Municipality, Cllr Glory Mashaba, the national president of SAMWU, Mr Petrus Mashishi, the acting mayor of Vhembe, Ms Mavhungu Luruli, and the provincial secretary of the ANC, Mr Cassel Mathale.

During the event, the workers sang "Mathale for Premier" and became uncontrollable while refusing to give the mayor of Makhado Municipality, Glory Mashaba, a chance to talk to the workers.

Mathale, who is acclaimed to be the future premier of Limpopo, told workers he was concerned that poverty and unemployment continued to be a great challenge facing the poor people of Limpopo. "I understand that there are still challenges facing us that are impacting on the lives of workers and the poor," said Mathale.