COSATU

“������’s key is that a coalition be led by the ANC and President Ramaphosa, be progressive, biased towards the needs of working class communities, defend the rights of workers, grow the economy and create jobs, tackle crime and corruption, invest in public services and unite the nation,” said Cosatu spokesman Matthew Parks.

Trade union group COSATU, an alliance partner of the ANC, said calls for Ramaphosa to step aside were "premature".

Labour unrest often affects sectors such as mining during wage negotiations, but it is rare for COSATU, South Africa's biggest union, to lead a national protest.

At Sunday's event, which had been organised by South Africa's trade union federation Cosatu, police had to step in while a bodyguard led the president away from the venue, according to IOL.

But perhaps the more important question is why the ANC and Cosatu leaders seem to have been surprised at the level of anger on the ground.