The 18th of July has become a phenomenal and an extra-ordinary day around the world. This is because on this day, the world celebrates the birthday of an icon, Nelson R. Mandela.
It is on this day that people around the world, all nationalities and races spend 67 minutes of their time doing something to assist and uplift the underprivileged. This is in line with the resolution taken by the United Nations (UN) organisation in honour of the 67 years Nelson Mandela spent in public service.
It was thus incumbent on Numsa members working at Smiths Manufacturing in Pinetown to play their part. There is a company directly opposite Smiths Manufacturing which has been employing people from the entrance gate over the past couple of weeks.
This employment is done at the discretion of production superiors if and when work volume requires. The people seeking employment arrive extremely early and if not hired, leave for their respective homes very late in the afternoon.
Workers at Smiths Manufacturing from Fluid exchange department then decided that they will provide the job seekers with meals and drinks as part of showing socialist compassion for their plight and the plight of millions of South Africans; that of unemployment.
Through the generosity of metalworkers at Smiths Manufacturing job seekers were provided with meals and drinks. Workers requested that a team leader from Fluid exchange department and Numsa shopsteward say a few words to on their behalf.
Numsa is fully acknowledge that providing them with meals would not necessarily get them employment, however, we did what we did to show them that they and millions and millions of South Africans who wake up every morning not knowing where their families next meal would come from are constantly in our thoughts.
In conclusion I would like to salute metalworkers of Smiths Manufacturing for doing what the late Harry Gwala, John Gomomo, Mbuyiselo Ngwenda, Jabulile Ndlovu and countless other heroes and heroines of our revolutionary trade union Numsa who passed on have taught us Ubuntu: “I am what I am because of who we all are.”
