Do unions have a future in South Africa?

“We should not listen to those who are making a career out of rubbishing our country and the gains of our national democratic revolution,” said Mr Zuma.

South Africa’s union movement has a long and illustrious history, but the nature of its relationship with government – as part of the tripartite alliance with the ANC and South African Communist Party (SACP) – is increasingly problematic as unemployment and inequality soar, and a growing, voiceless underclass turns towards the radical messages of populist leaders like Mr Malema.

“South Africa is a democracy with a legitimate government, but there is a disconnect,” the political commentator Karima Brown told me.

The ANC may continue to win elections, she said, but given the inequality in the country, voters need to feel part of “a common development path”.

And that is not happening. Hence the current, and relative success of Mr Malema.

“There is a weakness,” Mr Vavi acknowledged.

“There is a vacuum being exploited by opportunists seeking to establish themselves.

“They choose the places were the unions are most vulnerable. Good luck to them.

“But in the long run, unions will get around the situation.

“People will realise that those who are championing their interests at this moment do not have their interests at heart,” Mr Vavi asserted.