SUMMARY

Black workers in South Africa were highly organised from the 1980s onwards. A majority of the industries in South Africa were unionised in the early 1980’s, but the mineworkers had not been able to establish a labour union for themselves. Both the South African state and the powerful Chamber of Mines refused to recognize the rights of black mine workers. The NUM (National Union of Mine Workers) managed to overcome these objections and was established in 1982. Since the mining industries lies at the heart of South Africa’s economy, this gives the mineworkers, and subsequently it’s Union, a particular significance.

The NUM’s membership grew quickly, within three years after its establishment it represented the interests of over a quarter million mineworkers on issue’s wages, safety and health regulations. Soon, it was South Africa’s largest black labour union. When in 1985 COSATU (Congress of South African Trade Unions) was formed, NUM joined this umbrella organisation. However, while represented in COSATU, NUM remained an independent organisation. NUM’s affiliation with COSATU also meant that NUM got an explicit political alliance: COSATU was first linked to the UDF (United Democratic Front) and later formed an alliance with the ANC (African National Congress). For descriptions of the ANC and UDF, see the relevant database-pages.

NUM’s first and perhaps most powerful Secretary General was Cyril Ramaphosa. He showed that NUM was able to mobilize its members to a great extent: after a mining accident in 1986 in which 170 miners died, between 250 000 and 325 000 mineworkers observed a day of mourning. This was the biggest ever stay-away in any South African industry, and the most impressive response to a safety issue by a South African labour union. Currently, NUM is led by Senzeni Zokwana. He has been involved with NUM since its first years and has been its president since 2000.

NUM has been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.