SAMWU going back to basics, members first!

14 December 2020

SAMWU going back to basics, members first!

The National Office Bearers (NOBs) of the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) concluded their first meeting on Thursday, 10 December following their election at the union’s 12th National Congress held in Mahikeng from the 1st – 3rd December under the theme “advancing the unity of municipal workers for class struggles.”

The 12th National Congress elected the following NOBs;

President : Nelson Mokgotho
1st Deputy President : Mluleki Mbhele
2nd Deputy President : Portia Nkuna
National Treasurer : Nwabisa Majova
General Secretary : Koena Ramotlou
Deputy General Secretary : Dumisane Magagula

The NOBs have expressed their words of thanks to the union’s staff, social partners, sponsors and most importantly, delegates for ensuring that the 12th National Congress was a success. They have further expressed their gratitude to the delegates for entrusting them with the task of implementing Congress resolutions and repositioning the union as the first line of defence for the country’s municipal workers.

Drawing from discussions and Congress resolutions, the NOBs have committed themselves that it will no longer be business as usual in SAMWU, particularly given the onslaught that is directed at the union, municipal workers and workers in general across the country by employer bodies and the National Treasury.

The NOBs have further committed themselves to seeing SAMWU going back to basics, “in all that we do, our members will come first” said SAMWU President Nelson Mokgotho.

In line with the Congress’ theme, the NOBs are of the view that the unity of municipal workers is sacrosanct in ensuring that resolutions of the Congress are implemented and that the interests of members are always championed in and out of the workplace.

It is for this reason that the NOBs have committed to working with all of the Union’s Provinces and Regional and Local structures in advancing the unity of municipal workers for class struggles. The tough battles that lay ahead for the country’s municipal workers and the working class can only be won if the union is united – “united we stand, divided we beg.”

Priority for the NOBs is to ensure that the union is oiled and in pole position to defend workers from the attacks that are coming from the employer in the form of mass dismissals of workers and the targeting of the union’s leadership at all levels by the employer.

In consultation with the provinces, the union will be developing a programme of action targeted at municipalities that have made union bashing an order of the day. These municipalities will include Ugu, Newcastle, Moqhaka and Fezile Dabi District Municipalities which have dismissed workers en masse and the Tswaing Local Municipality which has dismissed the Union’s Provincial Secretary and the Matjhabeng Local Municipality which has made known its intentions to dismiss the Free State Provincial Secretary.

The National Congress resolved that the union should prioritize recruitment programmes, the first of these programmes will be launched in Mangaung, Free State in December and will be attended by NOB’s. Ours is to ensure that all municipal workers find a home in SAMWU.

Once again, the NOBs thank the Provinces for entrusting them with these new responsibilities, responsibilities which they have committed to fulfil with dedication, vigour and without fail. We also wish our members and their families a peaceful holiday season.

SAMWU is going back to basics, members first!

Issued by SAMWU Secretariat

Koena Ramotlou
General Secretary
(073 254 9394)

Or

Dumisane Magagula
Deputy General Secretary
(084 806 4005)

or

Papikie Mohale
National Media Officer
(073 710 0356)