Regional educators’ workshop on trade union history in South Africa
- Date: 19--?
- Subjects: Labour unions -- South Africa -- History , Labour movement -- South Africa -- History
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/112014 , vital:33538
- Description: The sun is beginning to rise on the workers. Fears of intimidation and victimisation are being dried up by this rising sun of workers strength. I tell this story to remind you of your life. I tell you this story so you will remember your struggle and the story of the struggle we fight. AMANDLA! I came to the urban areas with someone from home. I found the city a strange and ugly place. Finding work was not an easy task. But I found work at the foundry called Rely Precision Castings and I worked there for over seven years until May 1980 when Management fired all of us because of a strike. The work in the foundry was hard and dangerous and the hours were long. But I stuck out the tough and unsafe working conditions because there was no other place to go. We were the only people who could do this kind of work, and this was well known to our employers. Many of them knew migrant workers were the best workers. We were also prepared to do the heaviest of work. But they still treated us badly and still didn’t treat us like human beings but like animals. They knew that as soon as they expelled us we would lose a place of residence, because we would not be able to pay the hostel fees without the money we earned. Then the pass office would be indifferent and instruct us to go back where we came from. That is very painful. But what is more painful is this. It is clear that profits mean more to the bosses than our lives. Our children could die in the countryside but they would still fire us. Our work was tough, especially after the new machine was bought by the bosses in the foundry. But we were not afraid of hard work. We did not complain about the work. The grievances were about those things that prevented us from doing our work. The bad and unsafe working conditions were dangerous to our health and lives. These things are important. But most of our grievances at Rely were about the bad treatment we received from the indunas and foremen. The indunas did not support us when the struggle for better wages and working conditions began. They were only concerned with organising things in the foundry which made their own lives easier. The indunas at Rely were supposed to be the workers’ voice but we have seen that this was not true. So we had no voice. We could not make our complaints heard. That makes a person very angry. And so my fellow workers and I decided to do something about this. We began to stand together and build workers’ strength and unity in the foundry. Our combined strength would be a very loud and confident voice. One day one of us suddenly said: "There is a place that can help us." This worker had been to the Union with his brother-in-law who works at another factory. We wanted to know what that could be. We said we knew a union called ‘Let-us-bury-each-other’. This is a union that cheats people. They say when you have given a lot of money to them then they will build you a big house or buy you a car. The guy said, ‘No. that’s not what I mean.’ ‘It’s a place to go as we are not being treated well in the firm. When we all join they will represent us. They will speak to the employers.’ At first many of the workers at Rely were scared about joining the Union. Others were cautious. We first started joining in twos and threes until we were thirty. The meetings we had with the Union organiser were important. We talked and discussed problems for a long time on Saturday afternoons. Inside the foundry there was even more talk and discussion. During lunchtimes meetings were held over the road from the foundry under the shade of a tree. At these meetings everybody had a chance to speak. Some people wanted to move quickly, while others were more cautious. Some people were afraid for their families and others did not want to lose their jobs in the foundry. Many workers had worked at Rely for a long time and had good service records and so we were hesitant. The discussion was often long and serious. Slowly the fear began to get less as people learned more about the Union from friends and relatives in other factories. Some of these factories were already organised. But it was the meetings among ourselves which helped the most. In the evenings also, at the hostels, people discussed Union business and one thing began to become very clear. Everyone had to stand together and speak with one voice if we were going to be strong inside Rely. After many meetings and much talking we decided there would never be safe conditions if everyone did not join the Union. Wages would never rise without the force of all the workers. But when the indunas saw unity among the workers they were afraid. We even told them that through this unity their postions would soon end. Our unity had already begun to change things in the foundry. The bosses and their children, the impimpis and indunas, were not so sure of their position and began to fear workers. This was happening all over the East Rand where the Metal and Allied Workers Union was building workers’ unity. (In May 1979, the workers went on strike.) We stopped work to ask Management why they fired Zondiwe. Our bosses did not know what to do when 55 workers stood in front of them to protect Zondiwe. They called the Employers’ Association. They called the Department of Labour. They called the police. We were a small group of people. They tried to crush us. But we fought them all in different ways. We were unemployed. And when you are out of a job, you realise that the boss and the government have the power to condemn you to death. If they send you back home, and back home now there’s a drought, and you can’t get any new job, it’s a death sentence. The countryside is pushing you into the cities to stay alive; the cities are pushing you into the countryside to die. You get scared. It’s a fear that you come to know after a week without any food. After six weeks we all went to court. The court found us all guilty of striking illegally. We were all fined. But the Union paid the fines from the subscriptions. We had been fired from our jobs. We had been beaten by the SAP and now we were guilty of striking. We were very sad but we were not defeated. We continued our struggle. Our struggle at Rely was important. We are not afraid to say it. We showed how even a small group for workers can stand up against the bosses. And it was important in another way as well. Our strike was the first in our big strike wave which hit the East Rand. From 1980 and 1981 many, many thousands of us metal workers went on strike. We were not alone in our struggle. It was not just 55 of us at Rely. Our struggle was in May 1980. By the end of that year there were 12 000 in our Union, the Metal and Allied Workers Union. The next year was the year of strikes. From July until the end of 1981 many of our fellow metal workers went on strike. There were 50 strikes. There were 25 000 of us on strike. Next time we will be united. At Rely our struggle started when we united. But in the factory it ended when we were not united to our brothers in other factories. But we have learned. And you too. You must not make the same mistake. The big factories must help the small one. If you are organised in a trade union when you go on strike, unite with those who are not organised. Together call the communities to our side. Then we will be united. And we know that when we make our unity, the sun shall rise for the workers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 19--?
The Women’s Development Foundation Award to Nosakhele Elizabeth Phantsi
- Date: 1999 , 2022-10-17
- Subjects: Bam, Brigalia , Phantsi, Nosakhele Elizabeth -- Awards
- Language: English
- Type: realia
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57366 , vital:57599
- Description: The Women's Development Award to Nosakhele Elizabeth Pantsi, "honoring your contribution to the first Democratic National Assembly of the Republic of South Africa 1994-1999". , Donated/gifted to Nelson Mandela University Archives , Forms part of: Brigalia Bam collection
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1999
Young women and one elder woman in the background pose for a photo with one peeping through the door
- Date: 1938
- Subjects: Formidable Epidemic Diseases Hospital -- Port Elizabeth , Plague -- South Africa -- Photographs , Communicable diseases -- South Africa -- Photographs , Communicable diseases -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Photographs , Communicable diseases -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Photographs , Plague -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Pictorial works , Public health -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Photographs , Health facilities -- Disinfection -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Photographs , Fumigation -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Photographs , Plague -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Photographs , Port Elizabeth (South Africa) -- History -- Photographs
- Type: still image
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/53562 , vital:26299 , PIC/A 4279 , This image is held at the Cory Library for Humanities Research at Rhodes University. For further information contact cory@ru.ac.za. The digitisation of this image was made possible through a generous grant received from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation 2014-2017.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1938
The Educational Journal
- Date: 2006-09
- Subjects: Education – South Africa , South Africa – Social conditions , South Africa – Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41199 , vital:36400 , Bulk File 7
- Description: The Educational Journal was the official organ of the Teachers' League of South Africa and focussed on education within the context of a racialized South Africa. From the 2000s, the journal was published by the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (NUPSAW), a trade union formed in August 1998 from the amalgamation of militant and moderate trade unions and also operated in the education sphere.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2006-09
Rhodos, Vol. 6, No. 6
- Subjects: Rhodes University -- Rhodos , Grahamstown -- Newspapers
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14881 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019120
- Description: The Rhodos newsletter carries news and information about events, awards, projects and developments both on and off campus. Ten editions of Rhodos are printed throughout the academic year for distribution among staff members of the University
- Full Text:
Three men playing golf
- Subjects: Golf -- Photographs Golfers -- Photographs Grahamstown (South Africa) -- Photographs Photography of sports
- Type: image
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/51500 , vital:26100 , PIC/M 7390 , BRN 152925 , This image is held at the Cory Library for Humanities Research at Rhodes University. For further information contact cory@ru.ac.za. The digitisation of this image was made possible through a generous grant received from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation 2014-2017.
- Description: Photograph of three men playing golf at the sixteenth hole, with a view of residential houses (probably in Grahamstown) in the background.
- Full Text: false
Two men talking
- Subjects: Bishops -- South Africa Africans -- Social conditions
- Type: Image
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/29833 , vital:23787 , This image is held at the Cory Library for Humanities Research at Rhodes University. For further information contact cory@ru.ac.za. The digitisation of this image was made possible through a generous grant received from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation 2014-2017. , PIC/M 5167
- Description: Photograph titled: "Joab and Archbishop".
- Full Text: false
Condolence letter to Sheila Burnett from Roma Bishop
- Date: 1994-11-12
- Subjects: Burnett, Bill Bendyshe -- 1917-1994 Condolence notes Burnett family
- Type: Image
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/35966 , vital:24421 , This image is held at the Cory Library for Humanities Research at Rhodes University. For further information contact cory@ru.ac.za. The digitisation of this image was made possible through a generous grant received from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation 2014-2017. , MS 20 0074
- Description: This collection contains the letters of condolences, addressed to Sheila Burnett on the death of her husband Bill Bendyshe Burnett, who died on the 23rd of August 1994.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1994-11-12
Rhodeo, Vol. 28, No. 1
- Subjects: Grahamstown -- Newspapers , Journalism, Students -- South Africa , Rhodes University -- Activate , Rhodes University -- Students , Student newspapers and periodicals -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14658 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019530
- Description: Rhodeo is the Independent Student Newspaper of Rhodes University. Located in Grahamstown, Rhodeo was established in 1947, and renamed in 1994 as Activate. During apartheid Rhodeo became an active part of the struggle for freedom of expression as part of the now defunct South African Student Press Union. Currently Activate is committed to informing Rhodes University students, staff and community members about relevant issues, mainly on campus. These issues range from hard news to more creative journalism. While Activate acts as a news source, one of its main objectives it to be accessible as a training ground for student journalists. The newspaper is run entirely by the students and is published twice a term. Activate is a free newspaper which receives an annual grant from the Rhodes University Student Representative Council, however, majority of its revenue is generated through advertising.
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St Gregory's Fairview church
- Subjects: St. Gregory's Church (Fairview, Port Elizabeth, South Africa) -- Photographs
- Type: still image
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/52579 , vital:26204 , PIC/M 7362 , This image is held at the Cory Library for Humanities Research at Rhodes University. For further information contact cory@ru.ac.za. The digitisation of this image was made possible through a generous grant received from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation 2014-2017.
- Full Text: false
Knockholt House
- Subjects: Knockholt House (Kent) -- Photographs
- Type: still image
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/44765 , vital:25440 , This image is held at the Cory Library for Humanities Research at Rhodes University. For further information contact cory@ru.ac.za. The digitisation of this image was made possible through a generous grant received from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation 2014-2017. , PIC/M 308
- Description: Knockholt House, Kent. , Donated by Henson
- Full Text: false
The Educational Journal
- Date: 1965-08
- Subjects: Education –- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government , Government, Resistance to -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/34562 , vital:33394 , Bulk File 7
- Description: The Educational Journal was the official organ of the Teachers' League of South Africa and focussed on education within the context of a racialized South Africa.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1965-08
Photograph of Church Square, Pretoria
- Date: 1895-1896
- Subjects: Pretoria (South Africa) -- History -- 1880-1910 -- Photographs Jameson's Raid, 1895-1896 -- Photographs
- Type: Image
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/20961 , vital:22889 , This image is held at the Cory Library for Humanities Research at Rhodes University. For further information contact cory@ru.ac.za. The digitisation of this image was made possible through a generous grant received from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation 2014-2017. , PIC/A 2715-6
- Description: Photograph of a group of men on horseback in Church Square, Pretoria , Gold Fields of South Africa Ltd. (Donor)
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1895-1896
Group photo of the cast of Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts
- Date: 196?
- Subjects: Rhodes University -- History -- Photographs Rhodes University -- Students -- Photographs
- Type: Image
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/17003 , vital:22206 , PIC/M 6792
- Description: This image is held at the Cory Library for Humanities Research at Rhodes University. For further information contact cory@ru.ac.za. The digitisation of this image was made possible through a generous grant received from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation 2014-2017.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 196?
Photograph entitled "Parade"
- Date: 1895?
- Subjects: Transvaal (South Africa) -- History -- 1880-1910 -- Photographs Jameson's Raid, 1895-1896 -- Photographs
- Type: Image
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/22893 , vital:23082 , This image is held at the Cory Library for Humanities Research at Rhodes University. For further information contact cory@ru.ac.za. The digitisation of this image was made possible through a generous grant received from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation 2014-2017. , PIC/A 2715-25
- Description: Photograph entitled "Parade" showing a large group of men, many armed with rifles, lined up to march on a large field beside some buildings. , Gold Fields of South Africa Ltd. (Donor)
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1895?
Rhodeo, Vol. 21, No. 11
- Subjects: Grahamstown -- Newspapers , Journalism, Students -- South Africa , Rhodes University -- Activate , Rhodes University -- Students , Student newspapers and periodicals -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:14565 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019437
- Description: Rhodeo is the Independent Student Newspaper of Rhodes University. Located in Grahamstown, Rhodeo was established in 1947, and renamed in 1994 as Activate. During apartheid Rhodeo became an active part of the struggle for freedom of expression as part of the now defunct South African Student Press Union. Currently Activate is committed to informing Rhodes University students, staff and community members about relevant issues, mainly on campus. These issues range from hard news to more creative journalism. While Activate acts as a news source, one of its main objectives it to be accessible as a training ground for student journalists. The newspaper is run entirely by the students and is published twice a term. Activate is a free newspaper which receives an annual grant from the Rhodes University Student Representative Council, however, majority of its revenue is generated through advertising.
- Full Text:
Grace Butler
- Subjects: Butler family -- Photographs Butler, Marion Grace, 1899-1979 -- Photographs
- Type: Image
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/29219 , vital:23726 , This image is held at the Cory Library for Humanities Research at Rhodes University. For further information contact cory@ru.ac.za. The digitisation of this image was made possible through a generous grant received from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation 2014-2017. , PIC/M 6291
- Full Text: false
A postcard to Mrs Butler from Elsie - Chanctonbury Ring, West Sussex, England
- Date: 1928
- Subjects: Butler, Guy, 1918-2001 -- Photographs Butler family -- Photographs
- Type: still image
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/43807 , vital:25343 , This image is held at the Cory Library for Humanities Research at Rhodes University. For further information contact cory@ru.ac.za. The digitisation of this image was made possible through a generous grant received from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation 2014-2017. , PIC/M 4943/12.17
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1928
Mrs Noliti Boko in Klipfontein, March 1978
- Subjects: Forced migration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Photographs Forced migration -- South Africa -- Glenmore -- Photographs Forced migration -- South Africa -- Klipfontein -- Photographs Blacks -- South Africa -- Relocation -- Photographs Apartheid -- South Africa -- Photographs Glenmore (South Africa) -- Race relations -- Photographs Squatters -- South Africa -- Glenmore -- Photographs
- Type: Image
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/16785 , vital:22184 , This image is held at the Cory Library for Humanities Research at Rhodes University. For further information contact cory@ru.ac.za. The digitisation of this image was made possible through a generous grant received from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation 2014-2017 , PIC/M 4801-5
- Description: A series of photographs showing views of forced removal of communities from Klipfontein farm, near Kenton-on-sea, and other areas, to Glenmore in 1979. These photographs were accumulated by Ben Maclennan when he worked as a journalist for Eastern Province Herald, covering the move, and when he wrote the book "Glenmore : the story of a forced removal. This photograph shows Mrs Noliti Boko standing infront of a shack with her belongings lying outside, waiting to be taken to Glenomore. Photograph reprinted by Colin Urquhart, September 1983
- Full Text: false
Bushmans RU trial - Mr Shorty Mxokozeli
- Date: 1979
- Subjects: Forced migration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Photographs Forced migration -- South Africa -- Glenmore -- Photographs Forced migration -- South Africa -- Klipfontein -- Photographs Blacks -- South Africa -- Relocation -- Photographs Apartheid -- South Africa -- Photographs Glenmore (South Africa, Eastern Cape) -- Race relations -- Photographs Squatters -- South Africa -- Glenmore -- Photographs
- Type: Image
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/40010 , vital:24945 , This image is held at the Cory Library for Humanities Research at Rhodes University. For further information contact cory@ru.ac.za. The digitisation of this image was made possible through a generous grant received from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation 2014-2017 , PIC/S 4902-12
- Description: Photographs taken at the time of the Klipfontein evictions, the resultant trial at the Supreme Court Grahamstown, and the eventual settlement of those evicted in the Glenmore resettlement location, showing some of the residents involved, officials, members of the press, as well as aerial and on site views of Glenmore. Photographers: Dave Forbes, Ben Maclennan, Evert Smith, and an unknown photographer. This photograph shows an unidentified African man, possibly, Mr Shorty Mxokozeli during Bushmans RU trial
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1979