RETAILERS Shoprite and Checkers were hit by a nationwide strike on one of the busiest shopping days before Christmas on Friday, December 22.

But Checkers in Tzaneen at the LifeStyle Centre had a plan up their Christmas stocking so to speak and are complimented for handling the situation in true Christmas spirit, keeping last minute shoppers happy.

Letaba Herald visited Checkers just after 09:00 on that Friday morning.

Cashiers, even the store manager, Michelle Liversage were keeping the festive spirit high and shopping went along with Jingle Bells, Jingle bells, Jingle Bells and a Ho, Ho, Ho!!

The South African Commercial‚ Catering and Allied Workers Union (Saccawu) and trade union Cosatu announced that 30 000 workers were planning to down tools at the supermarkets on Friday.

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) supported the strike by the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union against retailers Checkers and Shoprite. The CGE believed that there have been minimal progress in addressing gender transformation in the workplace.

“Women in our country continue to face persistent marginalisation from power and influence. “This can be attributed to a range of factors including the influences of South Africa’s colonial history and dominant patriarchal paradigms,” said CGE spokesperson Jabu Baloyi.

In turn, CGE were calling on the Department of Labour to conduct an investigation on the failure of Shoprite to address issues that have been in the public domain impacting on the well-being of women workers.

Checkers in Tzaneen are complimented for handling the situation and keeping their doors open for Christmas shoppers.

Well done Checkers Tzaneen, we salute you on a job well done.