Federation of Free African Trade Unions of South Africa

The Federation of Free African Trade Unions of South Africa (FOFATUSA) was a national trade union federation for unions representing black workers in South Africa.

History

Unions representing black workers were not permitted to affiliate to the Trade Union Council of South Africa (TUCSA), as in order to register with the Government of South Africa, it only admitted unions representing white and "coloured" workers. While many unions of black workers joined the left-wing South African Congress of Trade Unions, five more right-wing unions remained informally linked with TUCSA affiliates. Late in 1959, they decided to form their own federation, FOFATUSA.[1][2]

FOFATUSA was linked with the Pan-African Congress, and also affiliated to the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, which funded many of its activities.[3] Lucy Mvubelo was appointed as its president, while Jacob Nyaose became its general secretary, and Sarah Chitja was national secretary.[1]

While the federation aimed to expand its activities, this did not occur.[2] By 1962, its fifteen affiliates had a total of only 17,280 members.[4] That year, TUCSA permitted unions of black workers to affiliate, and FOFATUSA declined. It was dissolved in 1966, with its remaining affiliates transferring to TUCSA.[1][3]

Affiliates

In 1962, the federation had the following affiliates:[4]

UnionMembership (1962)
African Bakers' Industrial Union3,000
African Broom and Brush Workers' Union500
African Motor Industry Union200
African Railway Workers' Union530
African Sheet Workers' Union400
African Tobacco Workers' Union4,000
Garment Workers' Union of African Women6,740
General Workers' Union (Durban)153
General Workers' Union (Johannesburg)300
General Workers' Union (Pretoria)150
Match and Allied Workers' Union113
Quarry and Slate Workers' Union247
Salt and Allied Workers' Union150
Soap, Candle and Edible Oils Union300

References
  1. Strydom, Irene; Coetzer, Pieter (2012). "Lucy Mvubelo's role in the South African Trade Unions, 1960-1974". Journal of Contemporary History. 37.
  2. Carter, Gwendolen; Johns, Sheridan. "Interview with Alexander Hepple" (PDF). JSTOR. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  3. Bloch, Jonathan; Cohen, Barry (1980). "The West and South African Trade Unionism". Australian Left Review. 1 (75).
  4. Directory of Labor Organizations: Africa. Washington DC: United States Department of Labor. 1962. pp. 37.1–37.3.
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