President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday led tributes for Emma Mashinini‚ described as the doyenne of South Africa's trade union movement - even though she had become an outspoken critic of the ANC's performance in government.
Mashinini died on 10 July 2017‚ at the age of 87.
She served as a shop steward on the National Union of Clothing Workers for 12 years and in 1975 founded the South African Commercial‚ Catering and Allied Workers Union. She also played an important role in the establishment of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) in 1985.
Mashinini also served on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
She was a recipient of the Order of the Baobab and the Order of Luthuli - SA's highest award for contributions to democracy‚ justice and peace.
"We have learned with sadness the passing of one of our hardworking‚ committed and outspoken unionists and activists who played a significant role in the struggle of workers in our country. Ms Mashinini will also be remembered for the indelible advocacy role she played for women emancipation in society and the trade union movement. We wish to convey our deepest condolences to the Mashinini family. May her soul rest in peace.” said President Zuma.
The Cosatu-affiliated Southern African Clothing & Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU) said it is saddened by her death.
"Comrade 'Mama' Emma Mashinini has played a major role in the unionisation of South African clothing workers... SACTWU dips its banner in honour and remembrance for her contribution to the fight for decent working conditions in the clothing industry‚ and for her role of building the trade union movement generally‚" said Andre Kriel‚ the union's general secretary.
Mashinini's campaigning spirit remained with her.
Already in her 80s‚ she told journalist Shannon Sherry for the Financial Mail that she was angry about “the hell” she said South Africa had fallen into.
Condemning the country’s "corrupt" leaders‚ she said in the 2012 report: "It is disappointing‚ so different from what we fought for and looked forward to. Corruption is destroying our country and I can see no end to it‚ because our leaders are involved in it. Education and health services have gone to hell. Teachers are absent‚ children are absent. The books are not there. There are things we miss about the past‚ like going to a clean hospital‚ and being able to find a doctor who can help you."
Mashinini served on two corruption watch organisations‚ one led by Sipho Pityana and the other by David Lewis.
Pityana‚ on behalf of the Council for the Advancement of South African Constitution‚ said on Tuesday she was "an inspirational leader‚ a working class hero‚ and a mother to so many of my generation".
"...She was present at the adoption of the Freedom Charter at the Congress of the People in 1955‚ and at the founding of Cosatu in 1985. She joined the Department of Justice and Reconciliation in the Anglican Church in 1986‚ providing counsel and support to the families of political detainees.
"Mama Emma Mashinini's courageous and principled leadership of the trade union movement encouraged many of us to find a worthy cause in the struggle of the workers in the late 1970s and early 1980s."
He said as the director-general of Labour in post-apartheid South Africa‚ he found her a reliable counsel as the administration forged a policy framework that sought to underscore decent work and human dignity in employment.
"Hers was a life rich in its dedication to the selfless struggle for worker’s rights‚ gender equality and the human dignity for all the people in our country.
"She represents an era of venerable leaders who served us so well. The best tribute we can offer to her and her ilk is to nurture a new generation of such servant leaders."
Source: TMG Digital.
Tributes for 'selfless' unionist Emma Mashinini
Mashinini died on 10 July 2017‚ at the age of 87.
She served as a shop steward on the National Union of Clothing Workers for 12 years and in 1975 founded the South African Commercial‚ Catering and Allied Workers Union. She also played an important role in the establishment of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) in 1985.
Mashinini also served on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
She was a recipient of the Order of the Baobab and the Order of Luthuli - SA's highest award for contributions to democracy‚ justice and peace.
"We have learned with sadness the passing of one of our hardworking‚ committed and outspoken unionists and activists who played a significant role in the struggle of workers in our country. Ms Mashinini will also be remembered for the indelible advocacy role she played for women emancipation in society and the trade union movement. We wish to convey our deepest condolences to the Mashinini family. May her soul rest in peace.” said President Zuma.
The Cosatu-affiliated Southern African Clothing & Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU) said it is saddened by her death.
"Comrade 'Mama' Emma Mashinini has played a major role in the unionisation of South African clothing workers... SACTWU dips its banner in honour and remembrance for her contribution to the fight for decent working conditions in the clothing industry‚ and for her role of building the trade union movement generally‚" said Andre Kriel‚ the union's general secretary.
Mashinini's campaigning spirit remained with her.
Already in her 80s‚ she told journalist Shannon Sherry for the Financial Mail that she was angry about “the hell” she said South Africa had fallen into.
Condemning the country’s "corrupt" leaders‚ she said in the 2012 report: "It is disappointing‚ so different from what we fought for and looked forward to. Corruption is destroying our country and I can see no end to it‚ because our leaders are involved in it. Education and health services have gone to hell. Teachers are absent‚ children are absent. The books are not there. There are things we miss about the past‚ like going to a clean hospital‚ and being able to find a doctor who can help you."
Mashinini served on two corruption watch organisations‚ one led by Sipho Pityana and the other by David Lewis.
Pityana‚ on behalf of the Council for the Advancement of South African Constitution‚ said on Tuesday she was "an inspirational leader‚ a working class hero‚ and a mother to so many of my generation".
"...She was present at the adoption of the Freedom Charter at the Congress of the People in 1955‚ and at the founding of Cosatu in 1985. She joined the Department of Justice and Reconciliation in the Anglican Church in 1986‚ providing counsel and support to the families of political detainees.
"Mama Emma Mashinini's courageous and principled leadership of the trade union movement encouraged many of us to find a worthy cause in the struggle of the workers in the late 1970s and early 1980s."
He said as the director-general of Labour in post-apartheid South Africa‚ he found her a reliable counsel as the administration forged a policy framework that sought to underscore decent work and human dignity in employment.
"Hers was a life rich in its dedication to the selfless struggle for worker’s rights‚ gender equality and the human dignity for all the people in our country.
"She represents an era of venerable leaders who served us so well. The best tribute we can offer to her and her ilk is to nurture a new generation of such servant leaders."
Source: TMG Digital.
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