NUM and Cosatu celebrate significant anniversaries in South Africa's labour history

This week, the heart of South Africa's working class will echo with the resounding messages of solidarity and achievement as two of the country’s most influential labour organisations, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), prepare to celebrate their foundational anniversaries.

The NUM will commemorate its 43rd Anniversary on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at Great Noligwa Moab Khotsong in Motlosana, while Cosatu will follow suit with its 40th Anniversary on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto. These commemorations promise not only to honour past victories but also to galvanise the current workforce. All workers are invited to partake in these historic celebrations.

The NUM, which was founded on December 4, 1982, in Klerksdorp, quickly established itself as the dominant voice for black mineworkers across South Africa. Its rapid ascent can be attributed to the founding trio of General Secretary Cyril Ramaphosa, President James Motlatsi, and Deputy President Elijah Barayi, who drove the union's early success. The NUM achieved formal recognition from the Chamber of Mines in 1983 and became one of the fastest-growing unions globally, showcasing its capacity to organise and advocate effectively on behalf of its members.

As an architect of Cosatu in 1985, the NUM's influence extended beyond mining as it broadened its mandate to encompass significant sectors such as Energy, Construction, and Metal industries, reflecting a commitment to the welfare of workers across critical economic landscapes.

On the other hand, Cosatu has been an indispensable pillar of South Africa’s political and labour history since its formation on December 1, 1985. Elected as the federation’s first President, NUM founding Deputy President Elijah Barayi famously proclaimed, “a giant has risen” to oppose the apartheid regime. In its formative years, Cosatu unified a fragmented labour movement under the axiom of "one industry, one union" and led pivotal campaigns aimed at dismantling apartheid, securing political freedoms, and advancing the Living Wage Campaign—all fundamental tenets that resonate in South Africa's labour rights discourse today.

Cosatu remains an influential advocate for the working class, championing pivotal advancements, including the National Minimum Wage and enhancements to social protections and working conditions. This enduring legacy forms a crucial narrative that will be woven into the commemorative events of this week.

As these two iconic organisations mark their anniversaries, the call to arms is clear: urging all NUM members and the broader working class to join in celebrating the impactful legacies that have defined their struggles and successes over the decades.