Joseph Mathunjwa (born 26 May 1965) is the head of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU).[2]

Joseph Mathunjwa
Born26 May 1965
Amathikulu, KwaZulu-Natal
OccupationTrade union leader
Known forMarikana miners' strike[1]

Early life and career

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Mathunjwa was born in Amathikulu, northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and his first job was as a Laboratory Attendant in 1986 at Rand Coal where he earned between R300 and R400 a month. His interest in trade unions came when he saw people being retrenched without companies making an effort to save their jobs, The first retrenchment that he fought through the Labour Court was at BHP Billiton in 2005 and he won the case that was him and AMCU's starting point.[3][4]

In August 2022, during a speech Mathunjwa said that South Africa was more functional during Apartheid under white people, than it currently is.[5][6]

Personal life

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Mathunjwa is a Christian and attends the Salvation Army hence he can play the trumpet and can also read music. He is also a singer.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "News24".
  2. ^ "Joseph Mathunjwa | Who's Who SA". whoswho.co.za. Archived from the original on 19 August 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Joseph Mathunjwa".
  4. ^ "Q&A: Amcu's Joseph Mathunjwa – City Press". Archived from the original on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  5. ^ Dlamini, Palesa. "South Africa functioned better when whites were in charge - Mathunjwa". City Press. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  6. ^ "Yes, we're in a mess — but why the pointless apartheid comparison?". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 30 March 2024.