MEDIA RELEASE
2025-10-05
SUMMARY: The Labour Party of South Africa (Labour Party) congratulates the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) on holding a successful National Congress. The re-elected President Joseph Mathunjwa reaffirmed his commitment to advancing workers’ rights. The Party extends congratulations to AMCU’s newly elected leadership.
The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) held its National Congress on 4-5 December 2025, holding the elections for the National Leadership, and re-electing Joseph Mathunjwa as its President.
“We have a leadership crisis in South Africa whereby we are led by people who don’t know the value of starting something and leading a nation. I still have my clock number: 701, and my first payslip of R135. I know where I come from, the sacrifices made to form AMCU. So, we cannot look back” , said re-elected President of AMCU Joseph Mathunjwa.
The Labour Party marks the many victories led by the AMCU National Leadership under the Presidency of Joseph Mathunjwa, including the unrelenting fight against capital that afforded the deserving mineworkers in the platinum belt a basic salary of no less than R12 500.
The Labour Party commits to remember the slain heroes of the Marikana Massacre 2012 that stood fearlessly in the face of death.
“Why will you blame AMCU for forming the Labour Party? A trade union that has never formed part of any federation. This is because we saw that these federations represent an organisation that is a proxy at the expense of the working class” , noted President of
AMCU Joseph Mathunjwa.Following the AMCU Special National Congress Resolution in 2023 to form a political party, the Labour Party received its certification of registration from the Independent Electoral Commission on 5 March 2024, noting the registration of the Labour Party being officially on 4 February 2024.
“The Labour Party is a political organisation that is built by the workers for the working class. We refuse to forget those who sacrificed immensely for the economic emancipation of others. The Labour Party is here to advance the political agenda of the working class” , noted acting Secretary-General Gift Antonio.
It is with pride that the Labour Party beams with the victory of having won ward 3 in Thabazimbi, namely Smasha Block, ultimately dethroning the African National Congress (ANC).
“This is just the beginning. We are still accountable to those that believe in the Labour Party, those who resolved to disrupt the status quo, and those who were the brave AMCU members”, added Antonio.
The Labour Party congratulates and offers a message of support to the National Leadership of AMCU:
- President: Joseph Mathunjwa
- Deputy President: Phuthuma Manyathi
- Treasurer-General: Abiot Lebelwane
- National Chairperson of Education: Ntshebele Mankge
- National Chairperson of Health and Safety: Molotlegi Tlatsoeng
The Labour Party extends a particularly warm congratulations to the newly elected Cde Abiot Lebelwane.
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