Black unionist against tour

Press, 6 July 1985, Page 8

Black unionist against tour

If the All Blacks tour South Africa they will do nothing to help change the apartheid system, says the president of the South African Black Allied Mining and Construction Workers’ Union, Mr Letsatsi Mosala, who is visiting Christchurch as part of a New Zealand tour. “The majority of black people feel that people who come to my country see only one side, and that side is the one that the South African Rugby Board and the Government want them to see,” said Mr Mosala. “They get the guided tours and see the beautiful sights of South Africa. They go to receptions where there may be a few black stooges who will present South African as an integrated system. “What they do not get to see are the ghettoes, where the black people live, or the jails, where they are locked up, or the overcrowded hospitals. They do not go to the factories to see the terrible conditions that most black people are working under,” said Mr Mosala. “These people go back to their countries and present this one. side, and thus become ambassadors of apartheid,” he said. If the All Blacks toured South Africa, there would be

protests, said Mr Mosala. “There is always a danger for these people. Wherever there are protests the police will move in and kill people. ( "One can’t see how killing can enhance the prospects for co-operation among people in South Africa.” Mr Mosala, who represents one of the larger South African black trade unions, is in New Zealand to learn more about the New Zealand union system, in particular, its bargaining procedures. He also hopes to seek support for his union, which is at present striking

for better working conditions.

The South African Black Allied Mining and Construction Workers’ Union, which is based in Soweto, has a membership of 50,000. It is not a registered union. Black trade unions cannot be registered, although they are not officially prohibited. The system of strike procedures was not effective under the Industrial Conciliation Act, said Mr Mosala. “Unions have to go through a board, mediation, arbitration, and a conciliation board to declare a dispute,” said Mr Mosala. “In the end the employers can still dismiss the workers.” The international disinvestment campaign against South Africa was having an effect on the Government’s policies, said Mr Mosala. “Any group or country that engages in boycotts against my country will help,” he said. Mr Mosala’s special area of concern is with the health and safety aspects of mining. Mr Mosala’s trip to New Zealand was sponsored by Corso and was organised by the Wellington Trades Council.

He will be in Christchurch until next week. <