The Federation of Free African Trade Unions of South Africa (FOFATUSA) was a national trade union federation for unions representing black workers in South Africa.
History Unions representing black workers were not permitted to affiliate to the Trade Union Council of South Africa (TUCSA), as in order to register with the Government of South Africa, it only admitted unions representing white and "coloured" workers. While many unions of black workers joined the left-wing South African Congress of Trade Unions, five more right-wing unions remained informally linked with TUCSA affiliates. Late in 1959, they decided to form their own federation, FOFATUSA.
FOFATUSA was linked with the Pan-African Congress, and also affiliated to the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, which funded many of its activities. Lucy Mvubelo was appointed as its president, while Jacob Nyaose became its general secretary, and Sarah Chitja was national secretary.
While the federation aimed to expand its activities, this did not occur. By 1962, its fifteen affiliates had a total of only 17,280 members. That year, TUCSA permitted unions of black workers to affiliate, and FOFATUSA declined. It was dissolved in 1966, with its remaining affiliates transferring to TUCSA.
Affiliates In 1962, the federation had the following affiliates:
Union Membership (1962) African Bakers' Industrial Union 3,000 African Broom and Brush Workers' Union 500 African Motor Industry Union 200 African Railway Workers' Union 530 African Sheet Workers' Union 400 African Tobacco Workers' Union 4,000 Garment Workers' Union of African Women 6,740 General Workers' Union (Durban) 153 General Workers' Union (Johannesburg) 300 General Workers' Union (Pretoria) 150 Match and Allied Workers' Union 113 Quarry and Slate Workers' Union 247 Salt and Allied Workers' Union 150 Soap, Candle and Edible Oils Union 300
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