The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) congratulates its militant Affiliate, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) for their successful National Congress. We look forward to deepening the umbilical bonds between the Federation and its Affiliate, NUM, which played a leading role in the founding of COSATU. The Federation is committed to working with the newly elected leadership to take the union, the Federation and working class struggles forward.
The NUM’s three-day National Congress culminated in the election of former Deputy President, Phillip Vilakazi, as the 42-year-old giant’s new President, Olehile Kgware as Deputy President, Mpho Phakedi as General Secretary, Deputy General Secretary as Phillip Mankge, and Helen Diatile as the Treasurer General. Muzikayise Zakwe has been elected the Chairperson of Education; the Chairperson of Health and Safety is Duncan Luvuno, who is also COSATU’s 2nd Deputy President. The Secretary of Health and Safety is Masibulele Naki, while the Secretary of Education is Lefty Mashego.
The Federation is proud of NUM’s steadfast commitment to internal democracy and ensuring that the union remains in the hands of workers at all times and is committed to championing working class interests.
COSATU congratulates the new leaders on their election and conveys its best wishes as they begin to tackle the challenges facing workers in the various sectors the union organises. Last year alone, the mining sector shed 13 000 jobs and recorded 42 fatalities; whilst this is a record low, one death is one too many given the devastating impact of losing a breadwinner on family. The construction sector is under siege from the construction mafia, while some unscrupulous employers appear intent on non-compliance as laid bare in the George building collapse report.
Policy uncertainty plagues the energy sector with energy security, thousands of jobs and many host communities intrinsically tied to the coal sector.
The Federation pledges its support to the newly elected leadership and the entire NUM membership to do everything necessary to ensure the union remains strong, united, grows from strength to strength, and continues to fight for and defend the workers’ hard-won gains.
Issued by COSATU
Zanele Sabela (COSATU National Spokesperson)
Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639
Email: zaneles@cosatu.org.za