BOEMA BA SiCHABA SA RONA LE TSELA H) SB HOT SENG- KA EDNA.

Basebetsi baloana ntoa e sa feleleng ea ho fumana meputso a phahamemeng, bophelo bo botle, bo ratoang ke bdhle. Ha ntoa ena e ntse e tsoela pele, ha ho loaneloe fela meputao ho loana le ho bopa sechaba hlomphehang, toka, nala, le ts’ireletso ea ea molao ho motno e mong le e mong.

Hore basebetsi ba atle'he ntoeng ea bona, ba lokela ho utloisisa mokhoa oo chaba sa rona se hailoeng ka oona, le hore se hotse Joang, le hore na se sebetsang, se lebisa kae. Melao ea nalane (history)1 e ts'oanetse ho utloisisoa. Ha re ea lookela ho ithuta nalane e fetileng fela, empa le ea hona joale e amang chaba sa rona. Snpa re ts'oanetse ho tseba bore sechabe se fetoha le mehla.

Ho ithuta sechaba ho ea ts'oanela e le hore ho tlo tse.joe hore na seka fetoloa joana; na ho se etsa chaba se phethahetseng.

Nalane ea sechaba e araa batho ba bangata le chaba tse ngatatse fapaneng. Ka nako e 'ngoe ho e ho hlahe . batho ba ba bolo *me ba tume, empa bahto bana ba tlatsa fela se seng se ile sa etsoa ke ba bang.

Ho utloisisa nalane re tla lokela ho ithuta mabaka ao batho ba qeteletseng ba entse jaolo ka *ona, le ka moo mabaka ana a qeteletseng a amile sechaba katent.

Ho tloha peleOpele, haesale batho ba phela ka lihlots 'oanas kapa ka malapa fela, 'me qetellong ea eba liboto, le lic'habana tse ngata. Batho ba ile ba fumana hore ba phele hantle, a ka khona ba phele ka lihlots’oOana ho tseba ho its*ireletsa, ho phela hantle, le ho fumana lijo ka mokhoa o bonolo: Le ho tsoma o ile a lemoha hore a ka tsoma hantle.

Lebaka le leholo la bo ipokella ha batho e ne e le hore mang le mang ea chabeng seo, a phele hantle, le ho nolofatsa bophelo, ho bokanela mesebetsi e sebetsoang ke bohle ba c iabeng seo. Hona ha. se ntho e etsahalang nakong ea joale. Le ba sa rateng ho tloha litulong

tsa puso/.....

2 3 .

tsa puso, ba tla lokela ho lumela hore leruo la seohab le iofela ho tsamaisoa ke sona»

Ha motho a qala ho theha mokhotlana a khaiso, ho ne ho se mot ho ea "ruileng" kapa ea "futsanahlleng". Se seng la se ®eneng e le sa mobu oa naha eo, se ne se arolelanoa ke Iba£ho 1 kB ho lekana. Ke 'nete hore bophelo bo ne bo le thata bo bil le total; lljo 11 Je thata ho fumanehaj 'me liaparo l i l e m p haholo. Hona ho entsoe ke hoba motho o na e~so ka a lthuta holicet ae tsa lintho.

Kapele motho o lie a itmta ho aebelisa taeo tlhaho e mo filen£ taona. 0 He a qala ho etaa libtaa le ntho tae ling tse ngata tea nto fcnusang ha a aebetaa. Ierumo le xle la thuaa hore a bolae liphoofolo a le holenyana le taona.

Ha motho a ntae a'taoela pele ka ho hlalefa, phapangnyana e ile ea hlaha pakeng tsa hae le ba neng ba ahileng le e e n a . Motho ea neng a lie a qala ntho e ncha e qaloang ho bonoa o ne a rapeloa, e le ntho e kholo e qekoang ke bohle. Ka baka lena ho ile ha hlaha lihlota’oana tae aa lekaneng to 1®ruc°Joaleka lichabeng le mebusobg ea bo~ralioheletef baaebetai ba rekiaa matla a bona ho bo ramatlo-tlo (Capitalists) , me ramatlo-tlo ba phela ka ho noa malia basebetsi.

Haeaale lihlota'oana taena 11 hlaha liphapangnyana tse ngatal i f r f s a h la h a , pakeng t e a b a th e ba ^ta e n a 1 1 i l e ta a t s o e l a p e le l e m e a e b e ts i ea s e o m b a K apel•nele ha ntho ena. e ntse e taoela pele, liphapang li lieKtoa ke meaebetal e mengata e fapaneng. Ke ka t s e l a ena baruiba ileng ba qetella ba kentse matsoho a bona melaong esireletaang.

Ke ka tsela ena bo-ramatlo-tlo ba naha ena ba ileng neng ba aetella ba etaisitae barui ba naha tse ling ka seohaba aa nah a ena ka l i b l o t a 'o a n a t a e ka bang n g a ta n y a n a ta e

latelang:-l) . KABDLO EA BASEBETSI.

Xarolo ena e hloka ntho tse ngata ka r.tle ho hore mat'j-

24-0

25.eona fela ka oona a batlehang. Hore ba tsebe ho phela, ba rekisa matla a bona ho bo-ramatlo-tlo, hore ba tsebe ho fumana ho phela. Kantle ho basebetsi bana, machini e sibelisoang bakeng sa batho, e ke ke ea sebelisoa ho le ho kae. Basebtsi ba loana le barui ka mehle hore ba ts’oaroe hantle malebana le meputso, le ho loanela hore tsohle tse amang masebetsi ea sechaba e be tsa hona.2). KAR01D EA BAMJI.

Sena ke sona hlopha se ruileng limachini, batho, le ntho tse ling tseo ho gebetsoang ka tsona. Le ha. nt'ho tsohlr e le tsa, bona, barui na ba tsebe ho li sebelisa ka bo b">n8, ba likela hore ba hire basebetsi ho ba etsetsa tsona. Barui bana ba rata haholo hore ba fumane phaello e kholo ka matla a base betsi, empa a le hore ha ba ba lefe. Haeba basebetsi ba ka atleha hore ba fumane meputso e pnaharaeng, bo-ramatlo-tlo ba tla batla le bona mokhoa oo ba ka iphetetsang ka oona, o joalo ka ho ba sebelisa nako e telele, ho bona hore ntho tse etsoang ke basebetsi ke tse ntle tse tla khahla mahlo a batho ba rekang liphahlo tseo, le ntho tse ling tse ngata.Karaehla bo-ralichelete ba loants'ana le basebetsi ke ntoa e raanlo-mafubelu ho isa qetellong.

3) • MAFUTSANA (Peasantry* •

Ena ke eona karolo ea batho e phelang ka thata. (Boralipolasi le le basebetso ha ba oele hlopheng sena). Sena sehlopha ke sa batho ba futsanehileng, ba hirileng maleoana e naha ho barui, ka tumellano tse ling tse itseng (joaleka ho lema masimo e barui).

► Bana batho ke bona ba sebetsang haholo ho etsa lijotsa sechaba. Bnpa barui ha ba rate nore hlopha sena se ne le naha eo e leng ea sona. H30 ba ho ratang ke hore batho bana ba phele ka ho sebeletsa bona fela, ba ba lefa fela ka lijo ho sebeletsa Mmarena”,

26 .

By 31 Votes against 3, the mem­bers of the Tits. Branch of the National Union of Distributive Workers have voted for affilia­tion to S.A.C.T.U.

This was in spite of the fact tnat tne platform was divid­ed on this question. Some speak­ers from the platform spoke in favour of affiliation to S.A.C. T.U. Others argued that the N. U.D.T., one of the biggest trade unions in the country, should be­long to no co-ordinating body, and be "neutral".

"’ ~E rANT NO RACIALISM" .ONE SAID. ANOTHER VT>RKER SAID THAT IF EUR­OPEANS 'T)RKED TOGETHER WITH AF­RICANS FOR THE BOSSES, THEN THEY SHOULD BELONG TO ONE CO-ORDINAT- ING BODY, S.A.C.T.U.

The Wits. Branch is the lar­gest Branch of the Union.

The question of affiliation now goes forward to the annual conference of the Union.

*SMALL a e

P£ACE AKJD

CHARTS*,

But ten rank-and-file members, speaking from the floor favoured S.A.C.T.U. , f > ! '

v '

Tiear Comrade,

May I take this opportunity of congratulating the comrades responsible for their excellent effort in producing such a fine Trade Union Magazine as the lat­est issue of "Workers’ Unity".

Yours fraternally,

... Naicker,Secretary,Natal Aluminium Workers' Union,Durban.

Greetings,Herewith I am sending you

6d. in stamps for a copy of your Bulletin "'■'orkers' Unity".

■Further, I wish you to send me some materialy on the forma­tion of Trade Unions, for I wish to organise Kimberley workers, who are unorganised, and I would like to have the assistance of S.A.C.T.U.

Previously, Kimberley hadan African General Workers' Union, of which I was the Secretary.This organisation stood for the welfare of the workers. This had to be dissolved through the in­vasion of agitators and enemies of Unity and African freedom, and at present, Kimberley is unorgan­ised.

I am, yours in fre^lom, MAYIBUYE AFKEKA,J.M.M. - Kimberley.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OP ■tfOMEN TORKERS:Dear Sir,

The ’r.F.T.U. Executive de­cided to convene an Internation­al Conference of vromen workers in June, 1956. The Agenda is:1. The united struggle of women workers and Trade Unions for wage increases, for the application of the principle of equal pay for equal work and equal opportuni­ties to work, against all forms of discrimination, for the Im­provement of living conditions, for winning rights for women and for Peace.2. For an active participation of women workers in the activi­ties and leadership of the trade unions and large scale Trade Union recruitment.

"'omen Tforkers - Garment, Laundry, Textile, Pood & Canning, Sweet, Biscuit, Leather, Shop & Office workers, we all who sweat in the factories, our work is never finished, day and night, working days and Sundays, we work in the faotories and at home - this is our Conference.It is not too early to work for it.

Let us begin now gather material on our working condi­tions, how we are discriminated against because of our sex and race. M.T.J. Garment Worker.

A STRONG UNION MEANS.;M O R E P A V / /S M O S T E R WORKING WOUR^/ /SETTER CONDITIONS AT WORK/

u® is®/7IP t h e r e is ci- Union fo r you and you know Wh&re it 'S - JOIN u TO-DAY.

IP you do not have o trade union yet or do nob knew how to Pind it.com& bo the oPPices cP the SOUTH AFRICAN CONGKESS OF TRADE UNIONS, a t *•

JO M A N N ESB U C G '3Q, PVog^ess Blc)cjs. 15b Co^ i^ ionciT*

CAPE TOWN :A&, S>ba! P l a in B i d g s . , ISI, Pl&in. S U 'e.ab .

D U R B A N :5 1 5 ^ L ak l^c tn i Ct-.einnbar'S 2 t Savill<& R o a d ,

R>£T E L I Z A B E T H :Coutrt Clnonr»l=><2rS, A <Jd <zr'\<zy >bl <£-t-

S W O W T H I S B U L L E T I N T O Y O U R F C I E N D s "

A N D . G E T T H E M T O J O I N T H E T R A D E

U N I O N T O O / / /--------------------------- ------------ £ —

VOL I AK) 5

JL U M R IIG N A ’rff FREEDOM O H WShortly after the Congress of the People was held in

Kliptown In June, the National Executive Committees of the liberator? movements met in Natal, to form a National Consultive Committee, which agreed to launch a nationwide campaign to colleot One Million Signatures for the FREEDOM CHARTER.

the Campaign has already begun. Many Freedom Fighters have started collecting signatures. In this campaign SACTU has to throw in a great deal of support. The Freedom Charter whloh was unanimously adopted by the 3»000 delegates at Kliptown, expresses the wishes and hopes of tens of thousands of workers and peasants who were not present at the COP, and these represent the people who SACTU is oommittad in ita con­stitution to organise.

SACTU m ust grow From SITOGIH ia STRENGTHThe liberatory movements have made it abundantly clear

that the campaign involves more than the important task of collecting sign­atures for Freedom. The campaign demands a high standard of leading, assisting and directing of the people in their day to day struggle against brutality and exploitation. Simultaneously with the tackling of the urgent problems of the people, the Freedom Charter must be explained and signatures obtained for it.

For SACTU, the 1 Million Signature Campaign must be conducted on the same basis as that of the Congresses. It must be a campaign which includes the taking up of all problems concerning the workers, no matter how large or small. It must be a campaign to ex­plain the Charter to the workers and to get them to endorse it. It must be a campaign to build SACTU.

We are oosrinced that if all the Congresses, including our own, respond to the Campaign in the manner which they are expeoted to, we shall be praetieally implementing our pledge to work for and win the aims set out in the Freeds* charier.

THE fee® L CAMMING W €M M k NS0N MUDSBIS 14™ AWW8JAL CONfFERENCIE V i~ "L~ rUnder the inspiring leadership of Ray Alexander and Frank

Karquard, the now banned leaders of the Food & Canning Workers' U.nion, the Union, in its 14th year, has taken its place beside the most militant and outstanding trade unions in the world - and to-day - stands out as a lead­ing trade union in South Africa.

The 14th Annual Conference of the Union was somewhat dif­ferent to previous conferences. With the banning of Comrade Rav and seven other leading officials, the task of conducting and organising the confer­ence fell to the workers. Not even the acting General Secretary, Becky Ban, was able to attend, due to her being banned from gatherings.

66 delegates, representing 17 branches of the Food &Canning Workers' Union met in Cape Town on August 2?th and 28th. 195% to hold the 14th Annual Conference.

The delegates assembled together clearly demonstrated to ^outh Africa and the world - that dasnite the blows dealt by the Government in the removal of its leaders; despite the costly court cases in which it had been involved, the Union had increased in strength} the Union was a living, dynamic force, moving forward to greater heights.

With a pride so ingrained that no force Could erush it. delegates listened to the written report of the Acting General Secretary being read. The report elaborated on the large number of wage agreements concluded since the previous conference, on the progress of the branches, on the I.C. Act, and the effects of the Native Settlement of Disputes Act.

. J The Conference turned its attention to the housing short­ages, to Bantu Education, the tot system, and the slave conditions of the farm labourers, the Suppression of Communism Act, apd a host of other issues affecting workers in all industries. -

Adoption off Frccdcm CharterThe Freedom Charter was read to the Conference, its

message firing the imagination of all. its freshness seemed to seep into the very marrow of delegates and rip the dark clouds away from the future.The spirit of the Charter captured the Coherence and refused to leave it.Every delegate pledged himself to spread its gospel!

iP©iice Inierr&jpfc.. In.a shameful attempt to intimidate the delegates, three

Special Branch detectives, under the pretext of looking for the banned lead­ers, interrupted the Conference.

- 3 -

BUT THE DEUSGATER WERE WOT TO B3 INTIMIDATED} With arms raised, fists clenched, and thumbs up, South Africa's Freedom Song - Hkosi Sikele was sung, and did not stOD until the enemies of the worker* had left the Conference.

8? c s © S u t i © n sMany resolutions were discussed, for example: On the organis­

ing of farm labourers; the suppression of Communism Act, the Slave Labour Act, and many others. Each resolution was throughly debated, and delegates rose to discuss methods of practically implementing them.

Though many tears were shed because of the absence of former banned comrades, the closing of the Wth Annual Conference marks one of the finest hours in the Union's existence, and an invincible bond of solidarity has been forged.

-0O 0-

V-y’“A

BEROEP TEEN DIE VOORBEREIDING VAN ATOMIESE OORLOG

S E K E R E regerings grond vandag hirite m ilitire slraiegie op die gebruik van alom iese wapens.

H U LL E pro beer om die mense verstaan le raaak d at dil die enigste uitweg;is.

D IE G E B R U IK van alomiese 'wapens sal veroor- saak die lotale uitroei van die mease.

ONS V E R K L A A R dat die regering w at ’n alomiese oorlog begin pie die volk Se vertroue

Handtekening

verdien nie on staan sktildig voor at die mense in die wereld.

N O l) en in die tuekoms sa! ons veg teen die org-.tniseerdes van ’ii alomiese oorlog.

ONS V E R E IS die vernietiging van al die alomiese wapens w at dus ver al vervaardig is. w aar dit ook al m a^ wees, en dal die vervaardiging van verdere wapens tot einde moet gebring word.

H andtekening

fesN S fA N ? T O

* .4 u n i o mThe Iron & Steel Workers' Union has been very active these last few months. Every day, organisers are at the factories organising the work­ers, explaining the need for Engineering workers to build up a strong Trade Union. On Saturday mornings the Union of:ice is a hive of activity. Shop stewards come in to pay their subscriptions; workers from all over the Reef come in to pay their subscriptions, workers from all over the Reef come in to talk about their problems - exchange experiences with each other, and decide what steps to take to bring about a change. The workers do not re­cognise any agreement in the Engineering Industry which i3 negotiated over their heads, without any attempt to consult them through their Union.

%Membership is on the increase, but much remains to be don® and no one is more aware of this than the membership who realise that the road in front of them is one of hard work, sacrifice and bitter struggle. They also realise that the Union is their organisation and can only grow and flourish with their active participation. They also realise that in their

organisation lies their hope for the future.

------- 0O0---- --

m / & M V M Y w o j r x m m m rAt Phoenix Foundry 130 workers formulated demands which the

organisers of the Iron k Steel Workers' Union presented to the management. When these demands were rejected, the workers organised a protest.

The usual pattern followed: the Native Labour Officers were called in but the workers refused to give them a hearing. They wanted nothing less than that the employer negotiate with the Union on the basis of their demands. The employer ordered ail the workers to leave the factory.

A few days later, the workers again formulated demands for a general wage increase, details to be discussed with the management - improve­ment in the treatment of Non-European workers and the recognition of the Iron and Steel Workers' Union. They also want a shop committee recognised to negotiate with the management from time to time on various grievences. The workers have made it clear, however', that they do not want a committee in terms of the Settlement of Disputes Act; they want their pay envelopes to show details of basic wages, cost of living Allowances, overtime pay, andamounts deducted for holiday funds. They also want a stop order system for trade union dues. These demands have been placed before the managemont.

Emsebenzini omkhulu njengalona wakwa Loliwe, oqhutshwa, ikakhulu abantu abonolunya, kukantu abansundu, akumagalisi ukuzwa ngobubi bempatho etholwa abasebenzi abansundu.

Yinyakuphela inhlangano ya- basebenzi (Inyunyana) egaphetbwa um- theto wakwa Loliwa engasiza ekuvike- lei abasebenzi kulenhlalo efflbi kangaha. Kodwa umphakathi wakwa Loliwa uyeyasaba inhlangaoo engekho phansi komthetho, wawo. Besabani kangaka? Xingoba inhlangano engak- honzile nkobe zakwa Loliwe, izo- kwambu lela basebenzi amaqiniso.

nendlela ahaka Loliwe abaza mangayo ukuphofisa abansundu.ABAHLOLI BABASEMZI:

Niyokhumbula ukuthi iziphati- mandla zawka Loliwe zike zazama indlela yokuhlukanisa abase beozi bakhona kwa banye abasebenzi ngokuba baba khele inhlanganywana abathi "Staff Association". Ngaloko bezama ukuba abasebenzi bangalitholi iqiniso langaphandle. Lesilibazi sabo asisebenzwanga kwszinye izindawo.

Khona lapho, kuthe kusengalo kuhleziwe nje, kumnandi, kwezwakala, ukuthi izwi elivela ePitoli lithi "isicimile" i "Staff Association".

Bukanike, lesilibazi sabo ba- sicima benga satshelanga ngisho nalabo abakade benga Ka kunga bekhokho izimali. Kuva nge sebethi futhi bazokwenza enye inBumansumane lene ebizwa ngokuthi. Abahloli babasebenzi (Labour In­spectors). Ngokunjalo bathi uma besho, bathi lesikhohliso sizo- thatha izikhalo so basebenzi. Akenithi ukuqaphela kancana, sibona ukuthi yini eyenzekayo. Kuzo lezi nsuku omunye webasebenzi baka Loliwe eJemiston (Germiston) wayo komunya walabo abathatha izikha- laza zabasebenzi. Basebemanaela incwanjana epikaisikhalo sakhe, sebenusa kuloyo oyicgqwele yabo. Uthe ekika lapho engqweleni, yala ukuthatha isikhalazo yize noma sekusho labo abaphansi kwakhe.

Enrveni kwaloko uthe esuku lomsebenzi waeya emahovisi enyupyana yaba sebenzi baka Loliwe elaziwa Ngokuthi South African Railway k Harbour Workers' Union.

Laba benyu nyana yaba8ebenzi,ngokwazi indiela yakwa Loliwe, bayithththa indaba yakha, yayakulowo nmyange oyifanele.

OWAXOSHWA SSESEBEHZE IMIMYAKA EKGU 14:

Ake eibone nansi futhi enye indaba. Umuntu useneminyaka eyi- shumi nane, (I4*- yeurs) esebenza. Lomnumzana wafikelwa. Umbiko othlla omdinga masi nyane ekhaya. Kunjalo nje, ikhaya lakhe likude, akathi esuka abasecela kumabhalane omkhulu, ayocela ukuba adedelwe aye ekhaya. Endaweni yokuba bamzwele, waxoshwa.Uthe esuka lapho, waya ehovisi le nyonyana. Lapho bafika bayihlola indaba yakhe. Bathe besuka babe- menzla incwadi, bayisa kulowom- lungu okade esebenza nayi impela.Uthe uma efika nalancwadi kulotnlisa, wangxama ngokumangalisayo wabe esehaya ucingo elusa kumabhalane omkhulu, ebuza ngokuxoshwa kwalo mnumzane. Impendulo eyabuya lapho yathi lomnumzane uxoshwe ngoba uyadelela. Kwa mangalisa ukuthi umuntu engahlala kanjani isikhathi esinjaka uma edelela. "Kungasa kube ukthi akakhule langa uma engena ehovisa likuma bhalane"

UDOKOTELA USIZA OWALIMALELA EMSEBSMZI (I. P.P.) Omjinya wabase-

- 6

benzi wabikela u dokotela wakwa Loliwe ukuthi ulimela, nembala wamhlola, wabesthi akanalutho kuphela uhuzuke ubanbo. Ngenhlanh- la kwenzeka ukuthi lomlisa wa- belilunga lenyonyana yabasebenzi ezimele, engancikle ku Loliwe futhi wabekhokha esikhwa meni sika "Bhekingozi". Inyonyana yamusa kudokotela wayo. Wabeee hlolwa ngesithombe sika gesi (X Hay). Isithombe saveza ukuthi izimbambo ezintathu. Ngaloko wanikwa ithuba lokohalaba ikhefu wabelashwa ngokufanelekila.YILWELSNI CTBLAHGANO YSNU; Zinin-gi izindaba zoku ngcola kwakaLoliwe esingazixox*. Skungc nenisitbi, isihlangu sokuphephakuloba dlwangudlwangu, kuphelaukuba kuqina Inyonyana yenu. Labaokuthiwa babhekele ababesenzi,nizenkhumbule yiziiaba mgodizakhona. Ngako soze bathathaizikhalo zabasebenzi. Noma yinieyenzakayo, bona bavikela uLoliweUmphakathi wakwa - Loliwe awuzi-misele ngokunonana nenyonyananoma nakancance uma indlela ikhonabangayihlakaza . Qinani ninga-bavumeli. YAKHSNI INHLANGANO YENI FUTHI BACIKDE2ELSNI.ABATHATHI BAKA LOLIWE UKUTHI BAVUMEOKUBA INYON- YANA TY05A MLOHO, KOKKHULUMELI WEBASEB2HZI.

RAY ALEXANDER7M40C UNtON etovecR

„ . . . , BY SAIO.V R O D SOne or the outstanding trade union leaders that have emerged in the S.A. Trade Union movement is Hay Alexander — the women's champion militant trade unionist, who has done so much to spread the message of trade unionism throughout the Cape Province, and further afield. At present, Ray Alexander is banned from her life work through the Suppression of Communism Act, which debars her from pursuing her useful and much appreciated vocation that she, for a number of decades, rendered to the South African working people, men and women, of all races and_ colours.

Ray Alexander was born overseas and emigrated to Cape Town where she was immediately drawn into the struggles of the workers. She helped to organise one of the first strikes of the Cape Garment Workers, which laid the basis of trade union organisation in that industry at a later stage. Then she helped to organise the lowly-paid shop assistants in what became the forerunner of the National Union of Distributive Workers.

ORGANISED MANY TRADE UNIONSBut her most important work was the organisation

of the Food and Canning Workers’ CJnion, of which she was General Secretary when she wap bar/ned. The workers in the fruit, preserving, jam-making, fish-curing, other allied industries, largely coloured arid African in composition, were amongst the most exploited and oppressed workers in the Cape Province, By dint of hard work and capable organisation, Ray AXi-ze.nder them into an inter-racial onion, with branches scatteredall ever the country, from Luderitzbucht in South West Africa, to Port iiliraboth in the Eastern Province, and then into Natal and the Transvaal,

This widespread organisation forced the em- loysrs to yield, in many instances, to the workers' demands for higher

v .-$<,8 and isiprcvp'd working conditioi s, and succecded in winning a new g >tu:s for these badly treated workers. The Food & Canning Workers'C -jy. t’teo*&>e g. Onion that was a model of its kind in South Africa, a

BAY ALEXANDER

trade union of racial harmony and co-operation for the upliftment of all workers, irrespective of their radial origin.

FOUNDER OF FOOD & CANNING WORKERS UNIONBut Ray Alexander did not only confine activities to her

own trade union. Wherever a helping hand was needed or her valuable ad­vice was sought, she was there to do the Job, and she assisted many trade unions to get on their feet, and was a firm champion of the necessity of one powerful national co-ordinating body of trade unions in South Africa embracing all the organised workers, such as at present envisaged by the formation of the S.A. Trade Union Congress.

WOMEN'S CHAMPIONIn the political field, Ray Alexander at all times

strove for the attainment of unity of the people for a democratic form of government in South Africa. The organisation of women for their rights on an equal basis in society did not escape her attention, and she was instrumental in helping to form a Women’s Federation in this Country,

THE GREAT WORK OF RAY ALEXANDER IS BEING CARRIED ON BY OTHERS. IT WILL EVENTUALLY SUCCEED IN OVERCOMING ALL BARRIERS THAT STAND IN ITS WAY AND WIN FOR THE WORKERS OF SOUTH AFRICA THOSE RIGHTS THAT ARE DEAR TO THEM - INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO HAVE PERSONS OF THK CATJBRE OF RAY ALEXANDER TO TAKE THEIR RIGHTFUL PLACE IN THE TRADE UNION AND POLITICAL MOVEMENT IN SOUTH

AFRICA!

OOO'

£ /?. M A T A J OOun Caf>e Town CyrngspondctnC

< "CAPETOWNS* DEBTORS ARE BEING ROUNDED OP, ALREADY $> 75 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN JAILED FOR NOT OBEYING COURT <> ORDERS FOR PAYMENT. 11,400 HAVE BEKN AHH2STED, \C AND SUMMONSES ARE BEING SENT OUT AT THE RATE OF \( 4-5 A DAY". J

This was published on the front page of the Cape areus of the 10th September.

Even this i« not the whole story of present-day conditions, as the workers who are unorganised - or badly organised - know. They are not only faced with summonses, but are thrown out of their homes for non­payment of rent. Their children and wives daily go short of essential food and clothing. Sickness and ultimately death are the result;'

ALL WORKERS WHO ARE NOT ORGANISE^ ARE BADLY PAID!THEIR WAGES ARE NOT ENOUGH TO BUY 'I'HE ESSENTIAL®FOR A DECENT LIVTNO FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES1

The workers need and must be paid higher wages. Even the May or of Stellenbosch said "that with few exceptions. Coloured people and Natives are not paid enough to cover the basic requirements of decent living". Cape Argus 5/9/55.

WHY DO £MAL0V£QS PAY LOW WAGES?Employers want as much profit as they can get. The

boss's profit is the difference between the price at which he sells the article and the cost of making it. For example, the textile boss will save money if he pays as little as possible to the textile workers.The more he has to pay in wages the less profit he get4} And he will pay as little as possible, provided he can insure a continued supply of labour.

V<**

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But we workers see thinga differently. We wmnt our wages raised so that we and our families can enjoy good fo^,’*olot&3££j decent homes, education, and that we could call in a doctor in case oJ*-'’ J illness. ^

It is a fact that workers who are organised not only enjoy higher wages but have, also, other benefits, such as a Medical Benefit Fund, sick-leave pay when sick.

•If we approach the employers on our own, individually,

we have no bargaining power. The boss has the power because he is paying the wages, owns the factory and can fire or hire. Of course we are told we "free to go elsewhere if we want more pay". This is fcot freedom - it is freedom to starve - for how will my family live and I live if I leave my job?

What I cannot understand is why my fellow-workers in Rhodesia are moving forward, organising, uniting, demanding higher wages and skilled jobs, striking in support of their demands, and are winning} They have made much greater advances in the past ten years than we have.

What is holding ua back here. why don't we organise?Are we so afraid, do we not trust our fellow workers?If we unite in a Trade Union, we shall have power to say

to our boss: "Treat us better, pay us more, reduce our hours of work - or we all stop work".

The boss might easily replace one or two workers - but cannot easily replace all, especially if they are many in one factory or industry. So. if we stand together in a Union, he will have to bargain with us. Of course, we do not always have to strike to obtain our demands. My boss has made agreement" with my Union because he anl other bosses know that all workers are organised in the Union, and will cill a strike.Bosses do not like strikes.* Strikes paralyse their business and their

profits atop. The boss will treat the Workers’ Union demands with contempt only when he knows that the workers are not fully united.

THE UNION MUST THEREFORE HE BUILT ON THE FOUNDATIONOF BEING ABLE TO CALL A SUCCSSSFUL STRIKE IF NECESSARY.IT MEANS THAT WE MUST ORGANISE EACH FACTORY, DEPABTMENTBY DEPARTMENT, AND EACH INDUSTRY, FACTORY BY FACTORY.*

The R.A. Congress of Trade Unions must show in its pages to the workers, the wages paid to workers who are organised end compare with those unorganised.

"Workers Unity" must give the workers confidence and hope in becoming organised and united. Only in this way will ‘’AC'i'U grow, will the workers go forward to a better life and real freedom in our Life time 2

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H J 9 s e u t iKa lemo so 195^ ho ile ha etsa- hala tse ngata tse makatsang.Ka khoeli ea Hlakubele Mong. Morris Kagan, e mong oa batho ba seng ba holile, ba ile ba sala a batsoa khotleng la T & L C. ka baka la hore N.C.E. e lokisa ho tebela makhotla a ba­tho ba batfeo. 0 ile a hana ho ba e mong oa batho ba sa tSe- pahaleng.Ka more* moo, ha ane a bua phuthehong ea basebetsi Mong G. Maeka o ile a fana ka thla- loso e ntle haholo malebana le makhotla a basebetsi. 0 ile a hlalosa hore molao aa Schoeman ca Industrial Conciliation Act, ke molao o tla qetella o felisi- tse makhotla a batho ba bat£o, hammoho le makhotla oohle a ba­sebetsi ba naha ea South Africa.

8h§S§? l§aieb£! em!&gie§i. fiative Labout Act. Empa taba e maka­tsang ka hore le makhotla a batho ba basoeu ha aka a tsotella hore no molao oona o ka loantSoa ka tsela e joang, hoba ba ile ba bona bore melao ena ha eba ame ka le- tho bona hammoho le mesebetsi ea bona. 3atho ba batso ba tla ba bohlale haba elelloa hore molao oona oa Industrial Concil­iation Act o ntse o tsoana le melao eohle e ikemiselitseng ho loanfSa makhotla a batho ba rona ba batlo. Melao ena e ba hatellang e tla lokela hore ba e ele hloko, e sere mohloraong aa qetella e bantlitse kotsi.Mong. Maeka o ile a bolela hape ha a ne a bua phuthehong hore lekhotla la hae ha le ka ke la tlohela ho loantsa melao eena e ikemiselitseng hore e loan- tsane le batho ba 'mala; haholo

o nbatho ba Ma-Africa. Lekhotla la hae le tla ikemisetsa ho loantsa melao eena ka bitsa phutheho e kholo ea merable oohle ea South Africa ka ntle ho khetholl o ea 'mala, ho leka ho loantfia melao eena e mebe e setisang makhotla a basebetsi a kopaneng hantle ho khethollo (discrimination) malehana le 'mala.0 ile a bua mantloe a reng: "Haesale e le khopolo ea rona hore naha ea South Africa e be le khotla le le leng le kopantseng mefuta eohle ea South Africa, e metso le e mesoeu hammoho le eona ea batho ba 'mala (coloureds) ka ntle ho khethollo ea 'mala."

iPHWTHEHO EA KAPAiPhutheho e kholo ea basebetsi ba basoeu e ile ea tSoareloa mane motseng o moholo oa Kapa (Cape Town) oa moreng moo makhotla a batho ba bat£o a sa kang a lumelloa feela le ho romela moemeli le ha a lemong feela.E bile phuthehong ena moo batho ba basoeu ba ileng ba rata ho lumellana hore molao oa Industrial Conciliation Act ho oa tloaheloa ho loantSoa ho loantSoa hoo o ka bang oa qetella o felisitsoe ho hang. Ba ile ba rera hore ho kampa ha hlakoloa temana tse ling feela ho oona tseo bona ba so lum- elleneng le tsona ho hang; Tse ileng tsa etsahala phuthehong ena li ile tsa hlalosoa hantle ke Mofumahali Jackie Arenstein pampiring ea "Advance". Mekhatlo e meng e kang ea basebetsi ba masela (Textile Workers) ea makhotla a lijo (Food & Canning) le ea batho ba hlatsoang liphahl'o (Laundries) e ile aa 'na ea sebetsa ka. botSepehi bo t^oanang le ba pele.Batho ba bangata ba kang Carl Rehm, Dulcie Hartwell, Jessie McPherson, le Bennie Weinbrenn ba ile ba hana ho fana ka karabo e ka kholisang malebana le se

entsang hore batho ba batso ba qetelle ba sa lumelloa ho ea kena mokhatlong kapa phuthehong e joa- lo.Empa le ha ho le joalo makho*la a basebetsi le bahale ba cona a ke ke a ba a lebaloa ka baka la mose- betsi o moholo oa ooxia. Mary; kapa mang ea ratang ho bolela 'nete o tla lumellana le mantsoe ana. Ka mora' kopano eena ho ile ha boela haeba le e 'ngoe motseng oa Durban moo batsamaisi ba mokhotla a base­betsi ba ileng ba rera hore ho tla lokela hore ho be ie lekhotla le leholo le tla kpanya basebetsi bohole ba fatse la South Africa ka ntle ho khethollo malebana le'mala. Ho ile ha lumellanoa hore lekhotla le kang lena e tla ba Iona le tlang ho tseba ho emela batho bohle ba naha Africa e Boroa 'me lekhotla le joalo le tla bontla hantle hore le fela le emetse basebetsi ba naha ea rona hantle ka ho lekana le ka tSoanelo.Re tla bona hape hore na lekhotla le lecha le tla boela le qaloa le tla ikemisetsa ho loanela basebetsi ba naha ea rona bohle na hose khet­hollo ea letho na, le hore le tla ipitsa ka bitso le feng na? E tla ba Iona lekhotla le tla tsoanela hore le bontse hantle hore na seoheho sa banna ba kang Bill Andrews Albert Ngula le Clement Kadalie e ne e le se feng na. Lekhotla lena lo tla. Lekhotla lena le tla tb&anela ho re le se ka la etaisa lekhotla la T.& L. C. ka tsela ea Iona ea ho loana ntoa tsa basebetsi le ho ba buella pela molao o ba hatellang ho setisa makhotla a bona ho sebetsa ka toka.Ntho ea pele eo lekhotla la basebe­tsi le tla thehoa le tla lokela ho ela hloko ke hore le tla tuma le be le matla ho feta makhotla a mang a basebetsi bohle ba naha ea ^outh Africa ha feela leka ele lloa hore

makhotla ' ohle a nang le matla magat£eng a mang ha a tsotelle khet­hollo malebana le 'mala. Lekhotla le tla elelloa ntha ena le tla ba matla haholo hoo le tla hlola lira tsa Iona hantle ha ho loanoa ntoa ea makhotla a basebetsi hammoho le eona ea tokollo.Hape lekhotla le tla thehoa le tla lokela hore le sebetse joaleka lek­hotla la basebetsi ba mefuta e meng e batlang hore e batle e ikhohla ka batho ba tSeereng marapo a puso. Ho ho lekhotla le ka lokang, ha feela leka leka hore mesebetsi ea Iona e tsejoe ke batho ba sebeletsang 'Huso; 'me basebetsi ba tla lokela hore ba hlokomele eona mekhatlo ea puso e kang United Party, hamznoh le oona mokhatlo kapa lekhotla la Nationalist Party, hore ha se makhotla a ka ba loanelang le ha e le ka mohla o le mong. Makhotla a basebetsi a tla lokela hore a bone ka bona hore a loane ntoa ena e kholo a sa lebella thuso e tsoang ho mang kapa mang.A tla tsoanela hore a keke ho kopanya batho le 'Muso oa Batho (Democracy).Hape ha ho lekhotla la basebetsi le ka bang le matla ntle ha le ka ikop- anya le batho ba khathatsoang ke melao ea lipasa (Pass Laws) le ea khatello malebena le 'mala (Apart­heid). Ha ngata ho tla fumaneha hore batho ba sa rateng ho thusa thusa mokhatlo ba bua ha ngata ka hore ha ba batle batho bo loantsanang le tsela ea puso (Politics). Ba tla tsoanela ho loanela lintho tsa bo- hlokoa ho mosebetsi e mong le e mong e leng 'Muso oa batho (Democracy) matla a ho ruha naha (For Land) ham- moho le eoan tokoloho (Liberty).E tla ba tokelo ea boohle, ho thusa makhotla a basebetsi naheng ea yona.

PHELETSO.

13 -

GAUDENG NOV. 1954.

T H E SECO N D A g T lC L E N A SER IES ON THE A L LIA N C E OF THE LIBEPATO KY ANP Tk'ADE UNION MOVEMENT.

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struggle. bvw^ s^uluThe North African region coneiste of Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morrocco. The ancient history of this part of Africa is of special interest to us, but that can best be left to historians. It is significant that the most interesting and well read biblical story is that of the oppres­sion of the Israelits by Pharoah of Egypt, and Moses* leadership in the struggle in Egypt. Even to-day, I ofter hear people likening Malan to Pharoah and Moses to Lithuli. That is how Egypt is known to many of our people, but few know that it is in Africa. Many in fact, do not think that Egypt is on this planet. Whether the story is true is unimportant.What iB important is the hatred of oppression aroused in the people by this story.'Although the struggle against imper­ialism in Egypt has been sharpened in recent years, and some measure of success achieved in driving out the British imperialists, the lack of solid alliance between the workers, peasants and national movements has set back the achievement of full democratic rights. The leadership is in the hands of the feudal lords or their agents, and they are responsible for the banning of workers' movements and other democratic organisations. Hence, there exists a bitter internal struggle.Libya, despite its apparent indepen­dent status, is in fact a colonial country, with no strong liberatory movement.When we speak tit North Africa, we generally refer to French colonies: Tunisia, Algeria and Morrocco. This region has advanced leadership, and is engaged in advanced forms of

The people of North Africa have decided to challenge with deter­mination the authority of French rule in their land, which regards them as slaves. In this region, of over 20,000,000 indigenous peo­ple (with about 2,000,000 Europeans as in South Africa) there is at present a bi:ter struggle being waged by the exploited millions of North Africa against French Im­perialism. All attempts to bribe and bluff the middle class and in­telligentsia by making them believe that they are Frenchmen have been exposed, and have finally collapsed. The moderates, compromisers and imperialist agents have been swept asie. The people have directed their leaders and decided to take the destiny of their country unto themselves. This has become pos­sible because of the broad alliance which exists between the workers, peasants, intelligentsia and middle class.Listen to Mr. Lakhdar Kaidi ad­dressing the 30th Congress of the French General Confederation of Labour:-"Since November, 1954, .highly im­portant events have taken place in our country. They are the outcome of the intense dissatis­faction of the people who see their demands systematically re­jected and their longing for free­dom spurned. They are the re­sult of the growing anger of the Algerian people - oppressed, ex­ploited and humiliated by the French Colonists.If we were to hear him describing

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the living conditions of tha people, the exodus of peasants from the country-side to cities in search of work, the explanation that 9ov» of the people are illiterate, and that of a population of only 9,000,000, 2,200,000 children of school—going age do not attend school; describing the conditions of mine workers, and farm labourers, one might think one was listening to J.B. Marks describ­ing the conditions in the Rand Gold Mines, or Sibande describing the con­ditions of the Bethal Farm Labourers. You would recall those who lost their lives through the action of the police in the 1946 mine strike and the many who died in Bethal Farms and other places.But when Mr. Kaidi describes not only the intolerable racial discrimination banning of people's liberatory move­ments or their trade unions - banned deposed or exiled leaders, when he describes the execution of peasants,

the throwing of people into concentration camps, the mil­itary rule, the summary shoot­ing of people, only then do you realise that he is talking of other territories in Africa.

This is the situation in North Africa. It is similar in many respects to the South African scene.

There are of course, differences, One is that the struggle in this region has reached a higher phase than ours, and the standard of organisation in the Trade Union movement and liberatory move­ments is such that the rulers have been forced to negotiate. Anyone who maintains that the Trade Unions must only be con­cerned with economic demands, or that political demands have no­thing in common with the workers' demands is either misled and needs convincing, or is an agent of the rulers who must be ex­posed and treated with contempt.

The people of Asia and A frica a te determ ined to end colonialism .

... •

ATTACK ON TEXTILE WORKER S’Textile workers responded to the threat of vage cuts in

their industry by holding a delegates rally in the Trades Hall. Johan­nesburg.1,000 delegates, representing Textile Workers from Nigel

to Randfontein, attended the rally, carrying flags bearing the slogan:"We do not ask for heaven, but we are tired of hell on Karth". The delegates formulated demands for wage increases, forty-four hour week and other improvements. They also resolved to resist retrenchment of workers and to fight against victimisation. The rally also launched a fighting fund for the Union, and the workers are now selling shilling stamps for this £1,000. fund.

The workers are already campaigning for these demands. Blitz lunch hour meetings are being held, trade union songs are being sung, and deputations are seeing the employers.

On the Witwatersrand, Textile Workers, particularly those in the Blanket section, are facing a threat by the employers to cut wages by 20yJ.

ctivugcuuts {//ci/coteWhile the threat to cut wages in the industry is in full

swing, an agreement in the industry is being seriously undermined by the Minister of Labour who has, to the detriment of the workers, given an ex­emption to Standerton Hills. The 500 workers at Standerton Hills are being paid considerably less than the agreement provides. Textile work­ers everywhere have taken this as an attack upon their own standards. Standerton Mills originally applied to the Industrial Council for an ex­emption which was refused; they then applied to the Minister of Labour, who with complete disregard for workers' wage standards, granted the ex- emtpion.

However, textile workers are not taking this lying down. Standerton Textile Workers have replied to the employers* claim that they are satisfied, by saying that they tell the boss every day that they want increases, and have expressed their determination to fight for increases. Workers wages everywhere are in danger, and the only way to face this threat is to unite! The Trade Union movement must clo$e its ranks and face this threat as a United movement.

AW INJBRY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL!

- 17 -IRUJTTIH (FQ&ST w r it e s on fiow

Q T O S fe RUN THE FACTORIESOne of the most interesting places I visited in China was a

coal mine at Fushan. The mine was different from those in South Africa, for it was an "open out*' mine with rich coal deposits near the surface, so the mine looked rather like a deserted quarry, and standing near the rim of the creater, one could see below, the workers in blue tunics and straw hate operating electric drills and mechanical excavators along the terraces of the great coal pit. One of these workers, Choa '.Yu, presently climbed out of the quarry and came to talk to,the foreign visitors. He had worked in the mine when it had been owned and operated by the Japanese conquerors, and he told us of the day in 1943 when he was one of a group of 29 young peasants conscripted for work in the mine who had been sent into the pit for the first time. On the day they started work, three of the 29 were killed in a fall of rock. The next day the remaining 26 refused to go to work till safety devices were installed. The Japanese overseers whipped them back to the pit-

Now, said Choa Wu, since the People’s Government in China,"we are the masters of the mine. If anything is to be decided, we miners held a meeting, discuss and decide the question."

o o o

What is true of the Fushan coal mine is true of factories everywhere in the New China.

\ ••Most South Afrioan Workers, familiar as they are with factory

life, would have to pinch thems.elves on going round factories in China, so different are conditions in that country to-day.

The trade unions, with a membership of 11 Million workers, organised in 15 huge industrial unions,, run the factories. There are democratically elected trade union committees in every factory and workshop. These committees look after production in the factories, wages, the needs of the young and women workers, as well as labour insurance and safety measures. When the post of factory director or manager falls vacant the trade union committees have to be consulted before new appointments are made. There are daily conferences on production and output. £>ery factory works to a plan, every worker to a target and the output of the factory and its successes or shortcomings are the concern of all the workers.

Collection Number: AD1812

RECORDS RELATING TO THE 'TREASON TRIAL' (REGINA vs F. ADAMS AND OTHERS ON CHARGE OF HIGH TREASON, ETC.), 1956 1961 TREASON TRIAL, 1956 1961

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