Page 37 - SCAT Rural Voice II - 35 Stories for 35 Years

During 1985, I moved to Cape Town, in order to find my father and a better life. I started working at the stellenbosch Municipality from 1987 to 2009. During this time, I met my wife, and we married in1989. We have three children.
I was employed at the Municipality as an unskilled labourer. I earned very little income, without any benefits. These were difficult circumstances, so I, together with some colleagues decided to join a labour union, so our working conditions could improve. From late 1987 to 1989/90, I was part of a group of workers that set out to establish a collective, with the purpose of improving our working conditions. I was my department’s shop steward after which I was elected the local secretary of the labour union in stellenbosch.
As part of our strategic activism, we occupied the Municipal Head Office in 1995, demanding a monthly salary and all applicable benefits. We were successful, and at the start of 1996, our demands were met. During 1998/9 I was elected chairperson of the union’s stellenbosch branch. My experience and training as a shop steward equipped me with the necessary skills to be a strong leader. During 2003/4 I was appointed as a full-time shop steward, and during 2004/5, I was elected as district chairperson of the Boland region. Through my experience gained and leadership skills, I was elected as chairperson of the Western cape province. With my new role, I had to represent the province on national platforms. Throughout my time working with the labour union and my initial work at the stellenbosch municipality, I often visited my mother and family in Merweville. I ensured that I improved her life.
In 2009, I returned to Merweville when my mother passed on, in order to take responsibility for the wellbeing of my family. This was my opportunity to give back to my community of origin. I intended to use my experience and skills gained, whilst working in stellenbosch and the labour union, to improve the lives of my native community. subsequently, from 2011 to 2016, I was elected as a member of the District council for District seven, of which Beaufort West formed a part.
As a District council member and speaker of the central Karoo District I fought to have opportunities of employment reach Merweville. Unfortunately my wife took ill during 2015. I had to take her to stellenbosch, so she would be close to medical facilities. My children and I had lived in Merweville for the entire year of 2015, without my wife. I resigned as District council member at the start of 2016 to support and take care of my wife.
During 2017, I became involved with the Merweville Advice and Development Office. My desire to improve the conditions of my community was still strong. At this point the Advice Office was very young and faced many challenges. My experience and knowledge, however, made overcoming these challenges less daunting. With the community’s wellbeing in mind, during 2017/18, I participated in further training courses, so I could serve my community better. Our working relationship with scAT improved. Advice and support from the SCAT fieldworker helped immensely. Ultimately, discipline, teamwork and dedication helped me better manage the Advice Office. I learned that when you’ve got an end goal, and you carry on striving, anything is possible.
Access to Justice
RuRal Voice ii: 35 stories for 35 years
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