Union calls for boycott of World Cup concert

The event is being headlined by Colombian singer Shakira and South African pop group Freshlyground, while the line-up also includes Angélique Kidjo from Benin, The Parlotones from South Africa and Malian duo Amadou and Mariam.

However, the Creative Workers Union of South Africa has called for a boycott because it believes there is not enough local representation. The union’s president Mabutho Sithole told RFI that they are encouraging anyone who has not made plans to stay at home.

“We were left with no option but to decide to ask people - who are our friends, who are our viewers, who are our audiences - that they must consider not going there to the Orlando Stadium and not supporting this show.

“We asked the communities to boycott it because also it was an elite concert where the cheapest ticket was 450 rand (48 euros) and the people that live around that area, for the majority of them 450 rand represents a salary or a wage.”

Meanwhile, South Africa’s public sector unions have raised concerns that a strike could take place during the World Cup after rejecting an improved salary offer from the government.

Fourteen unions representing 1.3 million public workers said they had rejected a 6.5 per cent salary increase. The unions are holding out for 8.6 per cent.

"It is acutely regrettable that on the eve of World Cup, the negotiations have regressed to such a point that labour has no other option but to declare a dispute," the unions said in a statement. "We refuse to be blackmailed by employers because of the World Cup."

Manie de Clercq, secretary-general of the Public Servants Association, told RFI that a strike could include immigration officials and might leave airports short-staffed as thousands of visitors land in the country. But he stressed that unions don't want to spoil the World Cup.

“Let me put it to you this way,” he said. “The World Cup and strike action is really two separate issues. We would consider strike action at any time. If there wasn’t the World Cup we would have gone into the conciliation and mediation process with the same openness of mind as we’re going into it now.”