Worker’s Day – A Brief History
We are all looking forward to a nice long weekend. Usually on the 1st of May South Africans enjoy Worker’s Day (effectively a May Day holiday), although this year the holiday moves to Monday the 2nd of May as the Worker’s Day falls on a Sunday.
But what is Worker’s Day or May Day all about?
Worker’s Day in South Africa especially celebrates the role played by Trade Unions, the Communist Party and other labour movements in the struggle against Apartheid.
May Day, as we generally know it, refers to various socialist and labour movement celebrations conducted on 1 May. May Day was born from the industrial struggle for an eight-hour day.
The history of Workers’ Day goes back to the 1886 Haymarket Affair in Chicago, where police tried to disperse a large crowd of striking workers (they were protesting for a shorter work day of eight hours). A bomb was thrown at the policemen by an unidentified assailant and law officers then proceeded to fire live ammunition at a defenceless crowd of unarmed strikers (sound familiar?).
It wasn’t until 1891, after successful annual demonstrations on 1 May around the globe, that Workers’ Day was formally inducted into the official calendars of many countries. Since then, Workers’ Day has been used by the working class across the world, South Africa included, to emphasise the need to establish fair labour practices and employment standards. In our nation, the Communist Party, trade and labour unions were heavily entrenched in the fight against Apartheid. Thus, it was of little surprise that our democratic government chose to commemorate this day and its ideology after the fall of the oppressive regime.
May Day has been celebrated unofficially in South Africa since the 1980s. However, 1 May only became an officially recognised public holiday after the democratic elections of 1994. South Africa’s mining industry’s history and the development of strong Trade Unions and communist ideologies has largely determined the country’s labour history and the workers struggle.
How can you spend Worker’s Day in Paarl?
Monday promises to be a sunny 19 degrees so although on the cooler side it looks to be a great day for being outdoors.
Some great outdoor activities include a visit to the Afrikaans Language Monument, a family picnic or a visit to one of the many wine estates, e.g. Rhebokskloof, Laborie, KWV or Freedom Hill.
You could also try some of these great Father and Son activities. If you feel the need to cool down, check out our top places to cool down in and around Paarl.
Wishing you a restful day!
