NUM Biennial report - 1991 Seventh national congress

Title: NUM Biennial report - 1991 Seventh national congress
Creator: NUM
Subject: NUM
Date: 1991
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/149605
Identifier: vital:38868
Description: Over two years have passed since our last Congress and many developments have taken place in our industry and the country. Most significant of these developments was the release of our Honorory Life President Comrade Nelson Mandela and the other political prisoners together with the unbanning of the the African National Congress and other political parties. These developments are the fruits of our struggle, a struggle so many have sacrificed so much for. These developments are the culmination of our victory over the evil system of apartheid. These developments came about as a result of the sustained assault against the edifice of apartheid mounted by our people and the international community. It is true that the political and social landscape in the country has changed and that new challenges await mineworkers, our union and all the patriotic forces in the struggle to transform our country into a genuine democracy and a prosperous country. The edifice of Aparthied has been under constant siege forcing the government to sytematically dismantle discriminatory legislation. Whilst we have to fully acknowledge that this process is taking place, we will be naive to believe that the institutions, legacy and culture that was fostered over decades will vanish with the removal of apartheid laws. We need to be constantly vigilant against the introduction of neo-apartheid in the place of apartheid. It requires much more than the removal of laws to address the historical inequities of Apartheid and racism that remains deep in the fabric of our social, economic and political life. Through all the developments we are proud to state that mineworkers have not only made their contribution in bringing about the demise of the apartheid system but have made their mark as one of the most militant sectors of the struggling masses. Together with thousands of others we have been able to shift the balance of power near to our goal of a non racial democracy. Our assessment of these developments and what the implications are for the future will be assessed in this report to Congress. As these historic developments have been taking place our industry has been experiencing severe problems with increased job losses and a low gold price. The fight for job security and the restructuring of the mining industry requires immediate attention. Our endeavours over the last two years will be evaluated and some suggestions of a future strategy will be outlined for consideration. Progess and development is often accompanied with setbacks and diversions. It is important that we acknowleges these so that our union can strenghten where it is weak and consolidate where it must. This biennial report examines the socio-economic and socio-political developments in the country and the industry since our last Congress, and assesses the achievements and future possibilities and challenges for the union.
Format: 58 pages, pdf
Publisher: National Union of Mineworkers (NUM)
Language: English
Rights: National Union of Mineworkers (NUM)
Rights: No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior permission from the publisher

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