The 18th National Congress of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) kicked off with great expectations at Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg but quickly turned into a political disappointment.
This occurred as delegates and guests arrived in large numbers, anticipating fiery speeches and declarations of unity from the ANC-led tripartite alliance; however, the absence of several high-ranking officials from the ANC left many questions unanswered.
The congress, which started on June 26, was expected to receive alliance messages from the ANC, the SACP, the Congress of South African Trade Unions, and the South African National Civic Organisation.
Dan Balepile, the NUM president who was voted out at the congress, had raised concerns over the government of national unity (GNU), highlighting that it was one of the reasons that pushed the SACP to contest the 2026 local government elections.
Not planning to leave the alliance
“It’s a fact that we are in alliance with the ANC, and it is not our intention to do away with the alliance, and it will never be our intention,” said Balepile.
“However, we must be realistic about the situation we are confronted with. The ANC of today is not the ANC of 1994. Now, with that being said, we need to critique our ANC.
“We are 39% nationally, and with that, the ANC takes criminals, the DA, and whoever forms a government with them and expects us to also call them comrades; that will never happen.”
Balepile emphasised that they were strategic in inviting ministers and deputy ministers and checking which ones belonged to the ANC, as they were aligned with the party and not the GNU.
Balepile stated that the ANC’s formation of the GNU alongside the DA and FF+ was only convenient for them, but he clarified that the NUM would not intervene, citing their inherent class rivalry.
He highlighted that this led to the SACP local elections resolution.
“Now people are saying when the SACP contests the elections, they are contesting the ANC. No, it’s not the ANC,” said Balepile.
Mbalula’s promise not kept
The ANC dispatched its secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, to speak on its behalf.
“The 2024 moment has brought to the fore stark contradictions, both within the alliance and society in general.
“Like any living organism, our alliance is dynamic, constituted by four independent allies. Even though we share common perspectives on the NDR, we will always have differences in tactics.”
He spoke briefly and promised that ANC officials would attend the second day of the congress to hear more concerns from NUM.
Mbalula’s promise, however, was not kept. No high-ranking ANC member showed up again, and his speech remained the only official engagement from the governing party.
Expected senior alliance ministers also did not show up. Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe, a former NUM general secretary with deep roots in the union, was absent.
“I had a commitment with the National Council of Provinces in parliament, and I couldn’t miss it. I don’t understand the concern, though, because we made plans and sent Mbalula,” said Mantashe.
NUM to discuss its 2026 elections position
Minister of Labour Nomakhosazana Meth also did not attend. When asked for reasons, her spokesperson Thobeka Magcai did not respond to questions.
The Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala, said he was out of the country. He told Sunday World that he should not have been on the programme, noting it was a possible error from his office.
However, he said he would follow up with the leadership of NUM at the congress.
At least Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa and SACP general secretary Solly Mapaila showed up.
NUM is expected to discuss its 2026 elections political standing in the upcoming continuation of the congress, which is expected to take place in July.
