Programme Director,
The family of our beloved brother and comrade, Mdu,
Leadership and membership of SACCAWU,
Leadership and membership of the Federation, ANC and SACP, including the ANC’s 1st DGS, cde. Nomvula Mokonyane, a proud product of SACCAWU, and SACP GS cde. Solly Afrika Mapaila,
The Congress of South African Trade Unions bows its head in sorrow following the tragic passing away of cde. Mduduzi “Mdu” Noel Mbongwe, the General Secretary of our affiliate, the South Africa Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU).
The Federation conveys its heartfelt condolences to cde. Mdu’s family, friends, the leadership and membership of SACCAWU and the wider COSATU and the Alliance family. Our beloved General Secretary had been ill for some time, we have missed his smile, his humble demeanor and his ability to always make us laugh and to speak sense at all times.
Before ascending to the position of SACCAWU General Secretary, cde. Mdu was Deputy General Secretary for many years. It was a mark of his character that whilst he could easily have sought greener pastures in government, he chose to dedicate his life to SACCAWU and COSATU, and championing the rights of workers across our hotels, retailers and the economy.
He led SACCAWU ably through victories and trying times including Massmart’s naked attempt at union bashing, when it sued SACCAWU for damages to the tune of R9.4 million. Massmart falsely claimed it had lost revenue and its property damaged during a legally protected strike by its workers – members of the union.
SACCAWU led by Mdu and the leadership collective fought the lawsuit all the way to the Constitutional Court, where it was ultimately dismissed, an historic victory in the struggle to defend the rights of the most vulnerable workers.
Genial in temperament, Mbongwe led us at Nedlac and played a key role in the development of our progressive labour laws protecting the rights of millions of workers.
He was a member of COSATU’s Central Executive Committee for many years and a source of wisdom that the Federation depended upon. Mdu was respected across the CEC and in fact the entire labour movement for his wealth of experience, his fountain of wisdom, his modest demeanor and his ability to forge consensus across the Federation, even amongst the most difficult of issues.
COSATU recently convened its 15th National Congress. Whilst our first adjourned session was marked by divisions, anger and suspicions amongst comrades, our second and ultimately successful session, was one of unity, comradeship and a dedication to listening to each other and most importantly, driving working class struggles.
Whilst Mdu could not attend, we know even in his weakened moments, he reached out to comrades to push the cause of unity. It was a painful moment for all when cde. Mike Shingange, our newly elected President of COSATU, informed delegates of comrade Mdu’s tragic passing. Whilst we mourned his passing, we were comforted knowing that we could report to cde. Mdu, that we did not disappoint him, that we heeded his call and we ensured a united, militant Federation emerged from Congress.
The package of Labour Laws Amendment Bills will soon be tabled before Parliament. We can assure cde. Mdu, that the years he spent leading us at Nedlac will not be in vain. That his tireless efforts to protect workers’ hard-won rights and to prevent the weakening of our labour laws will prevail.
It was no small measure for cde. Mdu to ensure in those difficult negotiations at Nedlac that not only did we block attempts by business to gut our labour laws, but in fact severance payments to workers will be doubled in future, that the National Minimum Wage will be protected from deductions by callous employers and that labour rights, protections and collective bargaining will be extended to the most vulnerable workers, including artists, actors and eplatform workers. That is Mdu’s legacy.
Mdu left us to carry on the struggles he led so ably. We recently met the President of the Republic, cde. Matamela Ramaphosa, to demand that UIF and the Compensation Fund be overhauled, modernised and fixed so that they fulfill their mandates to protect workers and their families in their moment of need. We must win this battle in honour of Mdu.
The President announced in the State of the Nation Address that 10 000 permanent labour inspectors will be employed, a 400% increase of the current 2 400 inspectors.
Government has now confirmed to the Federation of Emma Mashinini and Mduduzi Mbongwe that R730 million, R 1.6 billion and R 1.9 billion will be allocated to employ these labour inspectors in 2027, 2028 and 2029 respectively. It is our task to ensure that this happens in honour of cde. Mdu.
As we bury cde. Nobhala, Pick ‘n Pay has agreed to SACCAWU’s demands to halt the shameful plan to retrench 22 000 workers. There could be no more fitting farewell.
Mdu led us and led with distinction for many years. He never faltered or failed. We owe it to Mdu, his family, his friends, his comrades, and his home SACCAWU, to pick up his spear and to follow in his giant footsteps.
He will be remembered for the many years he selflessly committed to the workers’ struggle, his humble nature and disciplined leadership.
His passing is a painful loss for his family and friends, SACCAWU and COSATU, the broader liberation movement led by the African National Congress and the South African Communist Party, and the working class and the nation as a whole.
We will be heading to our most difficult local elections since 1994 where the very fate of the liberation movement will be on the line.
In honour of cde. Mdu and many other giants from John Gomomo to Ray Alexander, from Nana Abrahams to Chris Dlamini, to go all out, to engage members and workers from Shoprite to Pick ‘n Pay, from taxi ranks to bus stations, from our churches to their homes.
We are grateful to have shared these years with this softly spoken but determined soldier of the working class. We are thankful for the Mbongwe family for sharing this gallant son with the nation.
Hamba kahle qhawe lamaqhawe! Thank you. Amandla!