Leaders can build or destroy organisations, depending on the direction in which they take the organisation.

Many comrades think of gaining and keeping power, rather than the organisation’s needs and interests. Power mongering is the monster that is eating organisations.

Some comrades are guilty of doing the following things:
• They are not transparent with members about the problems facing them; instead they run away or tell lies to workers, who then start to panic.

• They negotiate individual benefits that lead them to compromise principles. Service providers have shop stewards eating out of the palms of their hands, and leaders introduce ineffective service providers to members.

• They have internal fights that prevent them from sharing their experience of cases – and then members get dismissed.

• They accept positions in the company while not declaring their interest and resigning from the union.

• They do not read books, and they end up to failing to use Marxist analysis in solving problems. This leads to false expectation, and when disputes are lost workers say “ngamaxoki” (they are liars) and “ayathengisa ama shop stewards” (the shop stewards have sold us out).

All the above factors lead to workers saying: “Numsa is failing us; let’s opt for another organisation.”

Poor workers don’t realise that it is individuals wearing a Numsa blanket that fail them – not the organisation.

The way forward
Workers must not leave the union, because every organisation has its challenges.

Leaders from local level upwards should be more visible in organised plants; they must listen to members and shop stewards in different factories.
They must help comrades by training them and advising them to resign if they cannot be reformed.

Act quickly
Leaders must act quickly when workers raise the alarm. Regular feedback helps members and gives them hope that their issues are being dealt with.
The organisation should nurture young talent for future leadership. Members should read, study and live the constitution and policies of the union.
Comrades should be given space to disagree in meetings, and not have their views stifled – especially at election time.

In discussions, they should stick to principles of democratic centralism, that “once we reach consensus there will be no deviation”.

Members should debate and try to persuade others, instead of mobilising them for voting purposes. Voting on issues should be the last resort.

Mfundo Mpushe is a Numsa shop steward at Schnellecke SA.