Trade unionists in South Africa are holding a one-day strike which organisers hope will be one of the largest in the post-apartheid era.
Trade unionists in South Africa are holding a one-day strike which has caused widespread disruption throughout the country.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) is mobilising its two million members to protest against the high cost of living.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) is mobilising its two million members to protest against the high cost of living.
Several companies said on Wednesday that the strike would shut down all or some of their production.
The public transport network has been severely disrupted, with a knock-on effect on schools, mines and carmakers.
The strike is likely to hit education, municipal and mining sectors.
Many firms said the strike would shut down some or all of their production.
Unionists are mobilising in all of South Africa's nine provinces.
Unionists are mobilising in all of South Africa's nine provinces.
Public transport was affected across the country, unions said, with long queues forming for buses and taxis in Johannesburg.
Public transport was affected across the country, unions said, with long queues forming for buses and taxis in Johannesburg.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher, in Pretoria, says thousands of demonstrators have gathered outside the city hall there, waving sticks and singing.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher, in Pretoria, says thousands of demonstrators have gathered outside the city hall there, waving sticks and singing.
Though the march was meant to focus on the cost of electricity, the banners and chants show that for most, this is a chance to vent their anger at steep rises in the cost of food and fuel, our correspondent says.
Though the march was meant to focus on the cost of electricity, the banners and chants show that for most, this is a chance to vent their anger at steep rises in the cost of food and fuel, our correspondent says.
"Food is at a higher price than petrol. Everything is high. We cannot live life like this. We are sick and tired... The government must make a plan," one woman said.
"I've got a house, but what about the people who that are staying on the street? People are dying, especially in the wintertime," a man said.
As the working people in this country, we are not going to be taking on the burden when it comes to financing power Lesiba Seshoka National Union of Mineworkers
As the working people in this country, we are not going to be taking on the burden when it comes to financing power Lesiba Seshoka National Union of Mineworkers
Similar rallies are being held at 17 other locations across South Africa.
Similar rallies are being held at 17 other locations across South Africa.
Patrick Craven of Cosatu told the BBC that the strike encompassed rising costs across the board.
Patrick Craven of Cosatu told the BBC that the strike encompassed rising costs across the board.
"It has to be seen in the context of all the other increases in prices which clearly make the electricity tariff that much more difficult to bear, particularly the food price increases, the fuel price going up and the rise in interest rates," he said.
"It has to be seen in the context of all the other increases in prices which clearly make the electricity tariff that much more difficult to bear, particularly the food price increases, the fuel price going up and the rise in interest rates," he said.
Mining stoppages
Mining stoppages
There is particular concern about job cuts in the mining sector, where output and earnings have been slashed.
There is particular concern about job cuts in the mining sector, where output and earnings have been slashed.
Mining company Anglogold Ashanti said on Wednesday that the strike would shut down all of its mines for the day.
Mining company Anglogold Ashanti said on Wednesday that the strike would shut down all of its mines for the day.
Anglo Platinum - the world's top producer of the precious metal - said some of its mines and a smelter had been affected, Reuters news agency reported.
Anglo Platinum - the world's top producer of the precious metal - said some of its mines and a smelter had been affected, Reuters news agency reported.
Cosatu, an ally of the governing African National Congress (ANC), said the strike would be a warning to employers who may want to sack workers because of a downturn in profits due to a power supply crisis.
Cosatu, an ally of the governing African National Congress (ANC), said the strike would be a warning to employers who may want to sack workers because of a downturn in profits due to a power supply crisis.
A five-day power cut in January and the rationing of electricity to mines cut output and earnings.
A five-day power cut in January and the rationing of electricity to mines cut output and earnings.
"We hope to also send a strong message to the government that, as the working people in this country, we are not going to be taking on the burden when it comes to financing power," National Union of Mineworkers spokesman Lesiba Seshoka told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
"We hope to also send a strong message to the government that, as the working people in this country, we are not going to be taking on the burden when it comes to financing power," National Union of Mineworkers spokesman Lesiba Seshoka told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
He also said the union hoped that South Africa's government would punish companies that fix prices would be given "very serious fines".
He also said the union hoped that South Africa's government would punish companies that fix prices by giving them "very serious fines".
Cosatu has urged the government to subsidise essential commodities and demands higher wages for workers.
Cosatu has urged the government to subsidise essential commodities and demands higher wages for workers.
The union is determined to put helping the poor at the top of the political agenda, our correspondent says.
The union is determined to put helping the poor at the top of the political agenda, our correspondent says.
Among the businesses that could face stoppages are car makers, textile factories, and the construction of stadiums meant for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
Among the businesses that could face stoppages are carmakers, textile factories, and the construction of stadiums meant for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
Workers and students are expected to stay at home if public transport is disrupted.
Workers and students are expected to stay at home if public transport is disrupted.
Are you in South Africa? Will you strike if the union calls for it? Why will you strike? Send your comments using the form below.
Are you in South Africa? Will you strike if the union calls for it? Why will you strike? Send your comments using the form below.
