Public sector workers in South Africa have begun an indefinite strike after rejecting government's offer of a 7 per cent pay hike. The Unions affiliated with Cosatu, South Africa's main union federation, have been demanding an 8.6% rise.Thousands of public sector workers staged marches last week to hand over their demands to the authorities. President Jacob Zuma, is under pressure to appease them as he owes his political support to South Africa's powerful trade unions. The strike could affect many schools, hospitals and public offices as police, teachers, doctors, and nurses are demanding the pay hike, improved housing subsidies, and other benefits.