Thousands of COSATU members take to the streets countrywide, except the Western Cape, in an effort to oppose massive job losses in the country. The intended shutdown also comes a week before the 2019 Budget Speech by Finance Minister Tito Mboweni. Cosatu says it hopes to hear from the finance minister about concrete plans to create jobs and halt retrenchment of thousands of workers. The Federation's list of demands will be delivered at various points which include the Minerals Council, departments of Labour and Eskom