Public Service and Administration Minister Richard Baloyi has welcomed the news that unions were suspending a public sector strike on Monday.

"The return to work is a welcome development for the public service and the country in general," said Baloyi in a statement.

"We urge those who are returning to the workplace to ensure that we deliver the services that are so sorely needed by all communities across our country."

Political parties also weighed in with their reaction to the news of the strike suspension.

"We believe this is a step in the right direction in ensuring stability and normality in our public sector offerings, particular(ly) around education and health services," ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said in a statement.

This, after public sector unions announced that the near month-long pay strike was suspended pending the outcome of more consultations with members and the government in the next 21 days.

The South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) called on its members to report to work as from Tuesday and hoped for normality by Wednesday.

"We would like to commend our members for their resolve, commitment and sacrifice which forced the employer to shift from their original offer," a statement said.

"The employer's change of heart didn't come through its goodwill but as a result of the gallant fight of workers."

It said that the suspension of the strike did not mean it accepted or signed the offer.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) criticised the increased pay offer and the strike itself.

"In playing for time to serve their own political agenda, the unions have demonstrated a serious misunderstanding of the far-reaching economic consequences of this strike," said DA chief whip Ian Davidson in a statement.

He called the government budget "over-burdened and over-extended" and said that the increased wages would result in cuts to services.

"The increased government wage bill effectively means that government has fewer funds to hire more people and roll out crucial services to the greater populace," said Davidson.

About 1,3-million public servants rejected the government's opening pay offer of a seven percent increase and R700 a month housing allowance. The government later increased this to 7,5% and R800 a month.

The unions are demanding an 8,6% increase, a R1 000 housing allowance and the addressing of other issues such as equalisation of medical fund payments.

Unions went away on Friday to explain the finer points of the deal to their members, many of whom have been on strike without pay for 20 days.

The strike has crippled State hospitals and several deaths have been blamed on the strike. The South African National defence Force has had to step in to help.

Schools have also been affected. In several provinces, preliminary matric exams have been postponed and many non-striking teachers have been intimidated.