Mortal men : the rise of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union under the leadership of Joseph Mathunjwa and the union's move to the political left, 1998-2014

Abstract

Labour unions are organisations of workers and established to protect employees, not only in South Africa but all over the world. However, the term 'labour union' is often being used as an abstract notion or in an abstract way but it should not be forgotten that there are people behind this abstraction, namely leaders and their followers. The history of South Africa teaches us that good working and living conditions are not available for everyone and is something that has to be kept fighting for by the unions. AMCU is only one of these unions but one that relatively recent started to dominate the political and economical landscape of the South African mining industry. Mineworkers decided to join AMCU hoping that Joseph Mathunjwa would improve their lives. At the top of every labour union are just ordinary men and women and if those leaders are seeking to achieve the best for their workers, they will do everything in their power to protect the interests of the workers. History teaches us that this not always happens and whether AMCU is truly a union 'for the people, by the people' remains a question for now but many black mineworkers have put their faith in the hands of President Mathunjwa and his union. The title 'Mortal Men' stands for all those people behind the abstract notion of a labour union, both those on top and on the ground. This research has tried to give both parties a voice and a face. Furthermore, mortality is a concept that many AMCU members and their families know all too well, especially after the 'Marikana Massacre' but also because of their dangerous work underground. Moreover, the title refers to the leadership of Joseph Mathunjwa. After the massacre, the president stated, while crying, that he had done everything he could 'as a mortal man' to protect the Marikana mineworkers. Those 34 killed mineworkers proof that his mortality was not enough in this case. At the same time, this massacre has been one of the main reasons for the phenomenal growth of AMCU. (MA Thesis ResMa African Studies, Leiden University, 2014)