Tributes on union leader’s death

TRIBUTES continued to pour in following the death of Serge Mokonyane, one of the trade unionists who played a central role in the formation of Cosatu.

While many knew him as Environmental Affairs Minister Nomvula Mokonyane’s husband, Serge rose to prominence in the trade union movement in the early 1980s, after the influx of big retail companies and eateries made it difficult for them to recruit members to the then Catering Commercial and Allied Workers’ Union of SA (CCAWUSA), which later became and is still known as Saccawu.

It was early in his tenure at CCAWUSA he met his wife, Nomvula. Both were incarcerated after the then apartheid president PW Botha imposed a state of emergency in July 1985.

Nomvula was pregnant. Their child Retlabusa was born on February 12, 1986, but died in November 2010.

Nomvula spoke about their incarceration on her facebook page when paying tribute to the child she carried in her womb while in custody.

Retlabusa (We shall govern) would have turned 29 in 2015, when Nomvula wrote: “Our journey together with you in my womb ended on this day 29 years ago under difficult conditions of the state of emergency. I carried you through detention under section 29 with your father, Serge, my husband, ‘mogaetsho’ as well being kept under section 29 of the Security Act. We both defeated all attempts to break and destroy (us) because of our conviction to the liberation of our country.”

Yesterday, Cosatu remembered his role in the trade union movement, including his involvement in the formation of the United Democratic Front.

Cde Serge Mokonyane served … when there was a high price to pay… Sizwe Pamla Cosatu spokesperson

Describing him, Cosatu spokesperson Sizwe Pamla said: “Comrade Serge Mokonyane was an activist in his own right, and served the working class as a trade unionist at a time when there was a high price to pay as an activist under apartheid.

“We shall remain forever grateful to him for his sacrifices and his immense contribution to the formation of the trade union movement”.

President Cyril Ramaphosa was among the first people to express his condolences to the Mokonyane family following the passing of Serge at a Johannesburg Hospital yesterday morning, following an “extended illness”.

Mokonyane spokesperson Mlimandlela Ndamase had confirmed the death, saying Mokonyane had been hospitalised last month. “The minister and family are officially in mourning and humbly request privacy at this moment of grief,” Ndamase said.

He said the family would in due course communicate details of the funeral and any other memorial events and services.

Gauteng ANC spokesperson Tasneem Motara said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mr Mokonyane who for many, remained an activist in service of our people. The ANC Gauteng sends its deepest condolences to the Mokonyane family and friends of Mr Mokonyane and the entire mass democratic movement.

Opposition parties such as Cope and Black First LandFirst also paid tribute to Serge.

The trade unionist-turned businessman was also an ardent golfer.