NUM Pays Tribute to the Life and Legacy of Comrade Mario Wanza (1966–2025)

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) joins the working class and the community of Manenberg in mourning the passing of Comrade Mario Wanza, a disciplined cadre, a fearless organizer, and a principled leader of the liberation movement.

To many, comrade Mario was the recognizable community activist of the Cape Flats. However, to those who served alongside him, his work was never a mere choice of "activism"—it was a profound responsibility. It was a duty born from his lived experience and an unbreakable bond with the poor and the marginalized.

A Pillar of the Western Cape Labour Movement

Born in 1966, comrade Mario’s political consciousness was forged in the heat of the struggle against apartheid. In the early 1990s, he served as the Regional Coordinator of the NUM in the Western Cape. This was a defining era for both our union and our country. Under his leadership, the NUM navigated the transition from apartheid repression to democratic liberation, providing a steady hand for many cadres who were new to the movement.

Cde Mario was instrumental in several pivotal organizational milestones,
including:
• The merger negotiations between the NUM and CAWU.
• The complex integration of the Cape Town and Namaqualand regions.
• The unification of leadership structures, which he handled with maturity and a deep sense of accountability.

Fearless Advocacy and Social Justice

As an organizer, comrade Mario was methodical and resolute. He understood that the struggle of mineworkers was inseparable from the broader working-class struggle. Whether confronting apartheid forces under constant surveillance or challenging corporate management, he never retreated.

In his later years, he carried these same values into his role as one of the first commissioners of the CCMA and through his subsequent consultancy work. He remained a man who stood firmly on principle—a quality that often made him uncomfortable to those in power but earned him the enduring respect of the people.

A Legacy to Uphold

Reflecting on his passing in 2025, the NUM is reminded that remembering comrade Mario Wanza is about more than honoring one man; it is about preserving the memory of a generation that carried the weight of our liberation.

His contribution is etched into the history of the National Union of Mineworkers. His life was a testament to the belief that true liberation is found in service to others.

"Hamba kahle, Cde Mario Wanza. Your responsibility to the people has now become our legacy to uphold."

Statement Issued by: Current and Former Leaders of the NUM Western Cape: Mlondolozi Limaphi, Derick Elbrecht, Ben Vass, Neville Van Dienen, Tania Bowers, and Shane Cordom.

For further details, contact:

For more detailed information, please contact:

Mlondolozi Limaphi, NUM Western Cape Regional Secretary, 073 518 3455
Tania Bowers, first and former NUM Women’s Structure National Chairperson, 083 426 1163

The National Union of Mineworkers
7 Rissik Street.
Cnr Frederick Johannesburg
Tel: 011 377 2111 Cell: 083 809 3257
Twitter: @Num_Media

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