Numsa invites you to the opening of an exhibition celebrating 25 years of Numsa – Red, Red Numsa – as well as the launch of Metal that will not bend – a book written by Kally Forrest that tells the history of Numsa.
The opening and book launch will take place at Kwa Muhle Museum, 130 Bram Fischer Road, Durban from 13h00 on 2 June.
Programme
The programme is as folllows:
13h00
Arrival of speakers and guests
13h00 – 13h30
Speakers and guests help themselves to snacks and drinks and look at the exhibition on 25 years of Numsa
13h30 – 13h35
Chair to welcome everyone, introduce the speakers, explain the exhibition of Numsa and 25 years
13h35 – 13h50
Input by Kally Forrest, the author of the book
13h50 – 14h00 – Magrapes Hlatshwayo (ex-Mawu/Numsa shop steward, organiser, regional secretary)
Numsa pre and post apartheid – how did things change for the union
14h00 – 14h10 – June-Rose Nala (shop- floor leader and an organiser for NUTW from 1972 till 1976. From 1977 till 1983, General Secretary for MAWU and early 80's moved up to Richardsbay to start organising working as both the GS and the Regional Secretary)
The early days – getting the union started – obstacles and successes; what did building worker control mean in practice
14h10 – 14h20 – Mike Mabuyakhulu (ex-Mawu/Numsa shop steward, regional secretary)
The union's politics and how these were debated and changed; what was Numsa's most important contribution
14h20 – 14h30 – Willies Mchunu (ex-Mawu/Numsa shop steward, regional educator)
Dark days – Natal civil war and how Numsa fought this;
14h30 – 15h00 Questions and comments from the floor
15h00 – 15h05
Closing remarks from the publisher, Wits Press.
Book-signing, looking at the exhibition, food and drinks etc