South Africa: BWI mourns passing of 6 NUM young unionists

The Building and Woodworkers’ International (BWI) joins the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) of South Africa in mourning the tragic passing of six of its young trade union leaders, who were involved in a fatal road accident on 27 November 2022.

The young trade unionists were NUM PWV Regional Secretary Bonginkosi "Bongz" Mrasi, Zukile Maskot, Lulama Madyosi, Thantaswa Sikani, Retshidisitswe Mbirha, and Dumisani Futshana. They were reportedly driving back from a NUM National Youth Structure Conference, which they attended in the city of Mbombela in Mpumalanga, when they met the accident.

On behalf of BWI’s General Secretary Ambet Yuson, Regional President Abdel Monem  Algamal, Regional Representative Crecentia Mofokeng and trade union affiliates in Africa and Middle East , we send our condolences to the families of the victims and our comrades in NUM and COSATU in their time of grieving.  

The young trade unionists’ untimely passing is a massive loss to NUM and its youth movement. They will surely be missed. We will ensure that their legacy of trade union work amongst young people will live on as we pick up where they have let off.