Letter of condolence to the NUM

The text of a letter of condolence sent to the National Union of Mineworkers following the death of their General Secretary, David Kolekile Sipunzi, on Christmas Day: 

Dear Leadership of the NUM,

I want to convey my deepest condolences on the passing of your colleague, friend and General Secretary, Mr Sipunzi.

Throughout his membership with the NUM and the Mass Democratic Movement, David contributed immensely to the long struggle for the rights of workers. The unwavering commitment he showed to the most vulnerable speak to a sentiment which we strongly support in our search for the common good. I hope that his memory will serve as a guiding star in the search for an industry that benefits and grows all people.

As we stand on the threshold of what looks increasingly to be a difficult, challenging, and contentious year, we know we shall miss the skills, generosity of spirit, and the willingness to dialogue which has been such a hallmark of his leadership. He left us many opportunities to learn about unity, composure, and the need for us to be able to see each other across a table, and I hope that we may take those lessons to heart. I know that all of us will honour his memory by continuing to foreground the noble values he stood for in the service of the most marginalised

I will hold you, your membership, and the Sipunzi family in my prayerful thoughts during these tough times, and offer my sympathies and those of my colleagues in the Courageous Conversations leadership, all of whom mourn his passing.

I wish you and yours a safe and blessed end of year.

Yours in Christ,

The Most Revd Dr Thabo Makgoba

Archbishop of Cape Town

December 27, 2020