NUM National Congress: Affiliates hope internal battles won't eclipse workers' challenges
The union is holding its 18th national congress in Boksburg on Thursday.
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM)’s 3-day national elective congress, which is set to conclude on 26 June 2025, in Boksburg, Johannesburg. Picture: Thandoluhle Ngcobo/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - Some National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) affiliates say they hope internal battles in the NUM won’t get in the way of addressing key challenges that workers in the mining, energy and construction industries face.
The union is holding its 18th National Congress in Boksburg on Thursday.
Incumbent NUM President Dan Balepile is running for a second term and is vying against his deputy, Phillip Vilakazi, for the union’s top position.
The ongoing conference has again laid bare the internal factions troubling one of the country’s oldest mining unions.
Speaking for the global sub-Saharan industrial union, Elijah Chitowa says despite the clear competitive spirit in the race for new leadership, unity among union members remains key.
“It's important for a trade union organisation to have a congress so as to strengthen its own internal democracy, change of leadership and also the resilience that has been shown by the NUM, especially because it's not the only union organising workers in mining in South Africa.”