African Activist Archive

Information about Moses Mayekiso and his trip to the U.S. NUMSA, of which he is General Secretary, is the largest union in South Africa and is affiliated with the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). NUMSA represents workers in all the metal trades, {similar to the UAW, USWA, IAM and other metal unions in the U.S.) and at companies such as Ford, Caterpillar, Toyota, General Motors (Delta, in South Africa), and Maremont/Gabriel Shock Absorbers. NUMSA has won significant wage and benefit increases for its members. It has been one of the strongest, most militant voices against apartheid South Africa and is a leader in fighting for workers' and union rights in the constitution for a new South Africa. Mayekiso is also president of the Alexandra Civic Organization (ACO) and South African Network of Civic Organizations (SANCO). SANCO, sponsor of his U.S. trip, is a coalition of 700 grassroots community organizations. The civics (as they are called in South Africa) are alternative structures that organize to provide basic public services to residents of black townships, urban communities and rural areas that have been denied them by the apartheid regime. Alexandra Township and Chicago have developed special ties through the Sister Community Project, which was begun shortly after Moses' trial ended in 1989. The Chicago/Alexandra Sister Community Project is Moses' host in Chicago. The document mentions UAW (United Auto Workers), USWA (United Steelworkers of America), and IAM (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

African Activist Archive

MOSES MAYEKISO IS GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE NATIONAL UNION OF METALWORKERS OF SOUTH AFRICA (NUMSA).

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