National+Union+of+Mineworkers,+Press+Release,+28+May+2006

PRESS RELEASE, MAY 28 2006

 * “UNITY OF PURPOSE AND SERVING MEMBERS ARE THE YARDSTICK”, SAYS NUM PRESIDENT**

In closing the 12th National Congress of the union the President of the NUM, re-elected unopposed to serve another three-year term, made an appeal to the delegates that greater unity should be sought within the ranks of the organisation. This call was made following a tense and difficult Congress where about 1200 delegates, national and international guests, participated.

“What is important is the need to serve our organisation and its members without any bias. Those who brought disrepute to the organisation should be forgiven, engaged and shown appropriate ways of behaving within an organisation. I also ask for forgiveness for the unintended consequences of my statements on Christianity”, said Senzeni Zokwana, NUM President.

Congress took resolutions on a number of issues. Some of the resolutions are:


 * To mark the 60th anniversary of the 1946 strike by the African Mineworkers Union in the week of August 12
 * To develop a plan on how to support the SATAWU strike, including financial contributions
 * To keep TEBA Bank as a workers’ asset and not privatise it
 * To prioritise the issue of compensation and convene a compensation summit
 * To develop a code of practice to deal with corruption
 * To root out tribalism and factionalism
 * The NEC to develop a discussion document on the Alliance
 * To engage employers on the re-opening of shafts in order to create employment

Congress also elected 9 national office bearers. They are:

President: Senzeni Zokwana; Deputy President: Crosby Moni; General Secretary: Frans Baleni; Deputy General Secretary: Oupa Komane; Treasurer General: Derick Elbrecht; Chairperson of Education: Helen Diatile; Secretary of Education: Zwelitsha Tantsa; Chairperson of Health and Safety: Peter Bailey and Secretary of Health and Safety: Eric Gcilitshana.

Congress also had an opportunity to bid farewell to its outgoing General Secretary, comrade Gwede Mantashe. In a gala dinner organised in order to mark this occasion various speakers - national and international, from labour, business and politics - commended comrade Mantashe for his dedication and commitment to workers and to the struggle for a socialist dispensation. In his speech, the ANC Secretary General Kgalema Motlanthe - former General Secretary of the NUM, made an interesting comment:

“Comrade Cyril Ramaphosa was general secretary of the NUM then he became secretary general of the ANC. I myself followed the same path. Comrade Gwede is leaves the union and he must not break that tradition. There is a special place for you in the ANC, welcome”

In the tradition of the union, today the leadership and delegates joined broader membership at the Kloof Rugby stadium for a reportback rally and celebrations.


 * Moferefere Lekorotsoana**
 * HEAD: PUBLICITY AND INFORMATION**
 * Tel: 27.11.377-2000 (reception)** **
 * 27.11.377-2036 (direct)** **
 * Fax: 0866097515** **
 * Cell: 0828045041** **
 * Homepage: [|www.num.org.za]**

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