The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has ushered in a new era of leadership, with Phillip Vilakazi elected as president during the union’s 18th National Congress held at Birchwood Hotel.
The announcement of election results was filled with celebration and jubilation as delegates embraced the leadership shift that saw Vilakazi take over from outgoing president Dan Balepile.
Vilakazi has served as deputy president of the union for over six years.
In his welcoming speech, he emphasised the difficulty of preparing a speech in an environment governed by democratic processes, saying it is difficult to believe that one would make it.
Turning point for mineworkers
Vilakazi highlighted that his election marks a turning point for NUM, as he outlined a firm stance against internal power imbalances and promised reforms aimed at unifying the organisation.
“Do not expect to be loved; you are not money. Do not expect to be everywhere; you are not the Holy Spirit. By implication, it means we must pull together as a collective,” said Vilakazi.
Central to his vision is the restructuring of how power operates within the union, particularly challenging the influence of certain branch secretaries and leaders who have held sway over the union’s direction based on personal preferences.
Under his leadership, the NUM plans to conduct oversight visits to branches across the country, aiming to re-engage directly with members and communities.
Union needs to grow membership
He said the union would be expected to play an active role in recruitment drives, helping to grow the union’s membership base and reconnect with workers on the ground, without always having to ask for permission.
Vilakazi urged them to prioritise collective action and resilience, making it clear that leadership in the union is about service and commitment, not popularity.
“We are going to talk about politics immediately after you have discussed and affirmed the resolutions that we have. But it would be wrong of me not to highlight the following: I find it difficult for me to compete with my father. I want to do a social analogy with regards to the current political hippo that we find ourselves in.
“One of the manifestos of the African National Congress, they said, ‘Together we can do more’ and I remember the other one said, ‘Better lives for all’. I have never found a manifesto that said, ‘Divided we can win’.
“We raised the issue in the central executive committee of the federation to say to comrade Solly [Mapaila] the slogan that says one federation, one country was a simplification to affirm that united we are strong,” said Vilakazi.
