In South Africa, trade unions have called off a four-week strike that shut down much of the country’s schools and hospitals. The Congress of South African Trade Unions — COSATU — has accepted the government offer of a 7.5 percent pay raise. The strike was also called to draw attention to the ruling African National Congress’ economic policies that have favored privatization over social programs. South African President Thabo Mbeki said those polices would come under review at an ANC meeting this week.

South African President Thabo Mbeki: “Necessarily, therefore, the policy conference will have to assess the policy positions that have informed our activities since 1994, focused on the growth and development of our economy, the more equitable sharing of the national wealth, the reduction of the inherited and persisting racial, gender and class disparities in the distribution of income and wealth, employment creation and poverty eradication.”