COSATU 15th National Congress observed a moment of silence to honour SACCAWU General Secretary – Mduduzi Mbongwe
Comrade Mduduzi Mbongwe participating in COSATU Central Executive Committee session many years ago at Braamfontein.
Delegates at the reconvened COSATU 15th National Congress were shocked to hear the sad news of the passing on of Comrade Mduduzi Mbongwe, the General Secretary of the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU).
A moment of silence to remember his life and times was observed.
Various organisations described Comrade Mdu as a ‘dependable trade unionist, good negotiator, an excellent organiser, a dedicated and patient educator, and communist till the end’.
‘Before ascending to the position of General Secretary, he served the union as the union’s Organiser, thereafter as Regional Secretary at Wits Region, and joined the National Secretariat in 1999 as the Deputy General Secretary until 2025 when he was elected as General Secretary. He will be remembered by workers as a revolutionary, an organic negotiator at Nedlac, a true workers’ advocate and internationalist.’
‘SACCAWU conveys its heartfelt condolences to the family of Comrade Mdu Mbongwe, his relatives, colleagues, members of SACCAWU, the Congress Movement, Mass Democratic Mass structures and working class communities’, said Jerry Mmoneri, SACCAWU Deputy General Secretary.
“SACCAWU will be meeting with the family of Comrade Mdu Mbongwe and details of the memorial service and the funeral arrangements will be shared”, says Jerry Mmoneri, SACCAWU Deputy General Secretary.
“NEHAWU conveys its deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family, comrades, friends and members of the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union [SACCAWU] following the untimely passing of its General Secretary, Comrade Mduduzi Mbongwe,” said Zola Sapetha, NEHAWU General Secretary.
SAMATU mourns the passing on of SACCAWU General Secretary, Comrade Mdu Mbongwe, alluded Dr Cedric Sihlangu.
SACP expressed its message of heartfelt condolences to the family of Comrade Mduduzi Mbongwe, the General Secretary of the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) and member of the SACP Central Committee.
The SACP conveys its message of solidarity to the membership and leadership of SACCAWU and the entire membership of Cosatu, as well as to the membership of our Party, for the devastating loss. Comrade Mdu was a dedicated communist who served the working class and the Party with distinction.
“He was a humble and highly disciplined servant of the people who wholeheartedly threw himself into relentless battles against capitalist exploitation of workers and selflessly provided excellent service to workers,” said Solly Mapaila.
Comrade Mdu’s work as a member of the SACP Gauteng Provincial Executive Committee contributed in no small measure to the stabilising of the Party in the province. Having proved his dedication as a member and leader in the Party, he was later co-opted into the SACP Central Committee, where he served till he breathed his last.
In paying tribute to Comrade Mduduzi Mbongwe, the SACP calls for the unity of the working class in the fight towards socialism. His untiring service to the trade union movement and the working class should also inspire his federation, Cosatu, to strengthen itself as it comes out of its 15th National Congress and not allow itself to be divided by short-term battles. Our collective response to exploitation and imperialism must be international working-class solidarity, national sovereignty and a just peaceful world order.
May his soul rest in peace.
#HambaKahleMduMbongwe