Numsa congress: Danny stands in for Thuli

Cape Town - Although, to the surprise of many delegates, both the ministers of finance and economic development turned up to address the national congress of the National Union of Metalworkers (Numsa), few thought it likely that former public protector Thuli Madonsela would do so. They were right.

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan spoke and answered questions from delegates, as did economics minister Ebrahim Patel.  Both agreed there were tough times ahead, but their solution was to stick with the system, unite and so hope to overcome the economic and social storms ahead.

Thuli Madonsela was advertised as the guest speaker at the Numsa gala dinner on Thursday.  This would have been a major draw card, given both her work and the ongoing attacks she faces.  But the high profile former public protector was out of the country this week and, it transpires, had never agreed to speak at the Numsa dinner.

Who asked her?  It was a question that was fobbed off by by various officials.  Nobody seemed to know if she had been asked, let alone if she had said she would appear.  And nobody accepted having asked her in the first place.

By Wednesday it was accepted that Madonsela would be missing at the dinner,  but into the breach has apparently stepped the actor and human rights activist, Danny Glover.

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