Tributes pour in for NUM General Secretary, David Sipunzi
Tributes honouring the life and contributions of National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) General Secretary, David Sipunzi, are continuing to stream in following the confirmation of his sudden passing on Christmas Day.
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) and the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) are amongst those paying homage to Sipunzi.
CAUSE OF SIPUNZI’S DEATH ARE PRESENTLY UNKNOWN
The cause of his sudden death is yet to be determined. Nehawu conveys their condolences to the family of the NUM General Secretary, stating that he dedicated his life in its entirety to fighting for the rights of mineworkers whose rights were “undermined” by their employers.
Nehawu calls on trade unionists to continue Sipunzi’s legacy and used the statement to reiterate their call on collective bargaining.
“The struggle for decent salaries and safe working conditions has lost a fearless soldier. In this regard, we call on all workers to unite and wage a relentless war against exploitation and unsafe working conditions.
Workers across all sectors are currently under threat from greedy employers who are only preoccupied by the accumulation of profits. Collective bargaining is currently under threat and necessitate a concerted effort by workers to defend their hard-won gains”
NEHAWU
Sadtu has also expressed their shock at Sipunzi’s sudden death, further sending messages of condolences to the NUM General Secretary’s family and loved ones.
“We are taken aback by the realisation that we have lost a leader whom we believe was making a noteworthy contribution towards the growth and stabilisation of both the NUM and the labour federation COSATU.
As an affiliate of COSATU, we had the privilege to interact with Cde Sipunzi throughout his years of trade union activism. We believe he has left valuable lessons for us about commitment to a course and most importantly, the significance of unity of all affiliates of the Federation.
It is In his memory that we will intensify our fight to protect collective bargaining as a fundamental right of the workers across all sectors”.
SADTU
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS TO BE ANNOUNCED IN DUE COURSE
On Christmas Day, 25 December 2020, NUM announced Sipunzi’s sudden passing, revealing he died at 11 am on the day. As already stated the cause of his death is unknown.
NUM says funeral and memorial service arrangements will be publicised once the family has informed the union of the dates etc.
SIPUNZI WAS AN NUM MEMBER FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS
The deceased reportedly joined the NUM while working for Harmony in the Free State nearly thirty years ago. It was here that he became a shaft steward and established himself within the union.
At the NUM 15th National Congress, he was elected as the General Secretary. He also served as one of the Vice Presidents of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), during his time at the helm of the union.
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