News

Twenty years ago today, after an intensification of struggle under the Mass Democratic Movement (MDM) inside South Africa and pressure from the International Community, FW De Klerk, the former president of Apartheid South Africa, had no choice but to unban the African National Congress (ANC), South African Communist Party (SACP) and other liberation movements. It was also on this day that he announced the unconditional release of Nelson Mandela.



“I remember that I was part of tens of thousands who gathered outside of Parliament when the announcement was made,” Keith said. “This paved the way for free and fair elections for all South Africans four years later.”



UNI joins Keith, its unions and all the people of South Africa in remembering this momentous day. South Africa’s strong union movement is a key ally in UNI’s new “Breaking Through” plan, which will be used to help unions organise thousands of workers around the world.



UNI will also be holding its first world congress in Africa in Cape Town in 2014. UNI General Secretary Philip Jennings says South Africa is “an inspiration to trade union members around the world and they are looking forward to holding the first UNI Congress on African soil.”