Zuma has his work cut out with striking workers coming out of the woodwork

SHOOT: He can always try seeing that machine gun song, it got him elected president. Maybe the workers will like that, get a few ideas.

clipped from www.fin24.com The wave of industrial action poses a challenge for President Jacob Zuma, who is grappling with the country's first recession in 17 years and has little room to meet the demands of union allies flexing their muscles since he took office in May. Zuma was propelled to power partly by support from the ruling African National Congress's leftist allies, including the powerful trade unions. It has pledged to support poor elements of the population, but not at the expense of big business. Analysts say his hands are tied by the economic slowdown, leaving him little room to placate unions who have been emboldened by his ascent to power.