Following weeks of crippling public worker strikes in South Africa, the government has grudgingly increased its wage hike offer to 7.5% from 7% a few days ago, but with the unions still holding out, public perception is turning against them.

For many in South Africa, the public service strikes have brought back memories of the popular unrest in the dark days of Apartheid, a time when the masses rose up against an oppressive government and unfair economy to make their voices heard.

But, in present day South Africa, with a democratic government insisting it cannot afford to meet the strikers 8.6% wage increase demands, public opinion has begun to turn against the unions.

The 7.5% offer by government is already more than double inflation, leading to many South African accusing the massive trade union coalition, COSATU, of being greedy.

In making its 7.5% offer, the South African government pointed out that the extra money spent on public workers wages could be better spent on building infrastructure, improving schools and modernizing hospitals.

The striking workers contend that as a vital part of government machinery, they are entitled to a living wage.

The widespread discontent among the millions strong COSATU is a broader reflection of the irony in South African politics.

COSATU and its members have accused the ruling ANC party of failing to address the needs of the people, however, because the African National Congress is the political party popularly credited with ending Apartheid, there is a fear among the South African public that any other party may take South Africa back to the days of white rule.

Stuck between these two powerful notions, the public sector strikes continue and the South African public and economy suffer.