Mbalula
By Thobeka Makume
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has told delegates at the National Union of Mineworkers’ (NUM) 18th National Elective Congress in Boksburg that the Government of National Unity (GNU) “was not a choice, it was a necessity” following the 2024 election results. Speaking on the first day of the three-day event, Mbalula called for global labour solidarity amid geopolitical uncertainties and urged unions to push for the beneficiation of critical minerals to grow South Africa’s economy. The congress, held at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre, is set to elect new leadership to guide the union’s 200,000 members through tough economic times marked by low wages, retrenchments, and mining fatalities.
NUM Congress Kicks Off with Leadership Election in Focus
The National Union of Mineworkers, a key player in South Africa’s labour movement since its founding in 1982, opened its 18th National Elective Congress yesterday under the theme “Epoch for the dictatorship of the proletariat now or never.” The three-day event brings together 747 delegates from 11 regions across the country to elect leaders who will steer the union for the next three years. Nominations began on the first day, with the election scheduled for the final day.
NUM represents around 200,000 workers in the mining, energy, automotive, and metal sectors. These workers face serious challenges, including low pay, job losses through retrenchments, and a high number of deaths in the mining industry. In 2023, the Minerals Council South Africa reported 49 mining-related fatalities, a stark reminder of the dangers workers face daily. The outgoing NUM president, Daniel Balepile, is running for re-election against his deputy, Phillip Vilakazi, in a contest that has sparked lively debates and songs of support among delegates.
The congress is not just about leadership—it’s a chance for NUM to tackle the big issues affecting its members. The union recently expanded into the metal sector, aiming to grow its membership and strengthen its voice. However, economic pressures like the Section 189 retrenchment process, mine closures, and the decommissioning of coal power stations have made life harder for workers.
Mbalula Highlights ANC-NUM Alliance and Economic Goals
In his speech, Mbalula praised the strong bond between the ANC and NUM, rooted in their shared fight against apartheid. He described NUM as “an indispensable force” in the struggle for workers’ rights and economic justice. Mbalula stressed the need for industrialization and beneficiation—processing South Africa’s rich mineral resources locally—to boost the economy and create jobs.
South Africa is a global leader in minerals like gold, platinum, and coal, and holds vast reserves of critical minerals needed for technologies such as electric vehicles and solar panels. Mbalula argued that beneficiation could help the country move away from exporting raw materials and instead build industries that add value, employ more people, and increase GDP. This aligns with the government’s Mineral Beneficiation Strategy, though progress has been slow due to problems like poor infrastructure and a lack of skilled workers.
Mbalula also called for labour unions to stand together worldwide. He pointed to geopolitical issues—like trade wars, the Ukraine-Russia conflict, and tensions in the Middle East—that affect global markets and, in turn, South African workers. “The capital speaks in one language,” he warned, suggesting that mining bosses everywhere aim to profit at workers’ expense, no matter where they operate.
GNU Sparks Debate Among Workers and Allies
The Government of National Unity was a major focus of Mbalula’s address. Formed after the ANC lost its majority in the 2024 elections, the GNU includes several parties, such as the Democratic Alliance (DA), in a coalition to govern. Mbalula admitted it was a tough call, calling it “a strategic setback” forced by the election outcome. “The GNU was not a choice, it was a necessity,” he said, explaining that the ANC had to work with everyone willing to join to keep the country stable.
But not everyone is happy. Some NUM members and leaders worry that including parties like the DA could undo the hard-won gains of workers. The union has a history of pushing back against policies it sees as anti-labour, and the GNU has stirred tensions within the tripartite alliance—the ANC, the South African Communist Party (SACP), and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). At a recent NUM political conference, some even suggested supporting the SACP over the ANC because of these concerns.
Mbalula acknowledged the disagreements but stood firm. “The task of a revolutionary movement like the African National Congress is not to be persuaded by populism,” he said. He promised the ANC would keep explaining its decisions to its allies, even when they don’t see eye to eye, and give them room to voice their critiques.
Voices from the Congress: COSATU and Worker Challenges
The congress drew leaders from across the tripartite alliance. COSATU’s First Deputy President, Mike Shingange, was there to support NUM, calling it a “vibrant affiliate” of the labour federation. He highlighted the struggles workers face, from job losses due to restructuring to ongoing safety risks in mines. “Even though we have the Mining Health and Safety Act, we still experience the death of mine workers on a daily basis,” Shingange said, urging workers to refuse unsafe conditions and protect their lives.
Shingange also spoke about the bigger picture. He noted how global events—like the unbundling of Eskom, the state power company, and the shift away from coal—hit NUM members hard. He hoped the congress would come up with strong plans to protect jobs and strengthen the labour movement.
Other voices echoed these concerns. Delegates were vocal about the need for a leadership that can take on these challenges head-first. The lively atmosphere, with workers singing and rallying behind their candidates, showed how much this election matters to them.
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