Govt employee hurt in tent fall

2003-05-01 15:42

Johannesburg - A Gauteng government employee was hospitalised after a marquee overshadowing a podium where President Thabo Mbeki was expected to address a Johannesburg workers' rally collapsed on Thursday.

Provincial government spokesperson Thabo Masebe said Jakes Govan was in a stable condition at the Milpark Hospital.

Business Day journalist Notyatyambo Petros was slightly injured a leg when the tent's roof was blown off by wind. She was treated at the Rosebank Clinic.

Govan worked in Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa's office.

Loose objects from the structure smashed the window in one of Mbeki's motorcade vehicles.

The incident happened while National Union of Mineworkers general secretary Gwede Mantashe was speaking.

Mantashe continued talking while paramedics attended to Govan.

Mbeki observed a minute of silence after hearing of the deaths of many Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) members who were involved in a bus accident in the eastern Free State.

The African National Congress has confirmed that 63 people died, but it is feared that the final toll will be as much as 80. The bus plunged into the Southpoort dam outside Bethlehem.

The people were going to attend a May Day rally in Qwa Qwa where Cosatu president Willie Madisha was expected to speak.

"We observe May Day to reaffirm our commitment"

Mbeki said: "We observe May Day also to reaffirm our commitment that we will continue to do everything that can, and should, be done to protect and advance the interests of the workers.

"The pursuit of this goal, which we will never abandon, means that we must strive everyday to secure a better life for the working people of our country."

Basic working conditions have radically improved, the president said.

He said the upcoming growth and development summit should meet people's expectations of creating jobs for the unemployed

"Our people believe that out of this meeting will come decisions that will make a material difference to their lives.

"None of us - the government, business and labour - dare (not) disappoint these expectations," Mbeki said.

"By the time we meet just over four weeks from now, each one of these social partners must be ready to say what it is ready to contribute to the further growth and development of our country.

"In this process, we will have to ...ensure that we achieve concrete results in our efforts to improve the performance of our economy."

This would help reduce unemployment, eradicate poverty, and ensure better social equity, Mbeki said.

- SAPA