Johannesburg - Public service trade unions were mulling over a new wage offer on Monday, which the government hoped would soon end a disruptive two-week strike.
The 245 000-strong National Education Health & Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) said it was "encouraged" by the new offer of a 7.5% salary increase and an R800 monthly housing allowance.
"We are encouraged that government has at last decided to go back to the negotiating table, because we should all be focusing on the much-needed service delivery," Nehawu said in a statement.
It said it was in the process of informing its members of the new offer and would give feedback by Thursday.
The SA Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) deputy general secretary Nkosana Dolopi said he expected to start getting reports from its 600 branches by Monday evening.
It was up to Sadtu members to decide, he said.
"We rely on their wisdom on what they want."
The Public Servants Association (PSA), with its 210 000 members, said it wanted a speedy resolution.
PSA spokesperson Manie de Clercq said the new offer was something that could be taken back to their members.
"We will definitely take that to our members... we want to speed this up. We don't want to wait another two weeks," he said.
The strike has severely affected hospital and schooling, with several provinces postponing preliminary matric exams.
Many schools have been closed not only because of the absence of striking teachers, but because of reports of intimidation against non-striking teachers.
The SA National Defence Force (SANDF) has had to help out at 59 state hospitals.
Many reports suggested that several deaths occurred due to the strike, but the national health department has refrained from commenting.
Public Service and Administration Minister Richard Baloyi announced on Tuesday morning, through his spokesperson, Dumisani Nkwamba, that a new offer had been tabled.
"A negotiated draft settlement offer stands as follows: a 7.5% salary increment and R800 monthly housing allowance," Nkwamba said.
Asked if this meant the strike was at its end, he replied: "We hope so. The unions are consulting with their members and the government has called on them to expedite the process."
A feedback meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, after which Baloyi would address the media.
On his return from a state visit to China, President Jacob Zuma instructed Baloyi to return to the negotiating table on Monday morning, expressing concern that the strike was affecting mostly poor people.
The new offer came after talks with unions, represented by trade federation Cosatu and the Independent Labour Caucus, continued into the early hours of Tuesday morning.
"Following the president's directive for the parties to find a solution that would bring the strike to an end as matter of urgency, government consequently engaged in an intensive dialogue with labour union leaders to find a settlement acceptable to all parties and thus end the two-week public service industrial action," said Nkwamba.
"Accordingly, a follow-up meeting of the PSCBC (Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council) will be held on Wednesday for consideration of the offer."
The unions were demanding an 8.6% increase and R1 000 monthly housing allowance, and had rejected the government's previous offer of a 7% increase and a R700 allowance.