NUM Youth Structure Concludes National Youth Committee Meeting; Vows Radical Action Against Socio-Economic Suffocation and Safety Failures

The National Youth Committee (NYC) of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) Youth Structure successfully concluded its scheduled constitutional meeting on 7-8 May 2026, at the Elijah Barayi Memorial Training Centre (EBMTC).

The NYC met amidst a volatile industrial landscape to deliberate on the critical challenges facing young workers in the mining, construction, energy, and metal sectors. The committee has emerged with a firm mandate to protect the dignity and livelihoods of the working class against corporate greed and systemic neglect.

The NYC officially pronounces its stance on the following key matters:

1. A Crisis of Life and Limb: Health and Safety

The NYC is outraged by the deteriorating safety standards across our sectors, particularly the horrifying spike in fatal accidents.

• The Sibanye Kloof Tragedy: We are devastated by the recent deaths of two colleagues at Masithembe Shaft during a shaft examination.
• Our Demand: Profit must never be prioritized over human life. We demand the strictest adherence to safety protocols. Every worker has a right to return home in the same condition they arrived. One death is one too many.

2. Socio-Economic Suffocation and Unemployment

The skyrocketing cost of living has transitioned from a concern to a national emergency.

• Inflation & Fuel: Rising petrol prices are eroding the wages of our members and further marginalizing the poor.
• Youth Unemployment: We demand immediate, tangible measures from both the government and the private sector to address the scourge of youth unemployment. This is no longer a statistic; it is a source of national hopelessness that requires urgent intervention.

3. Opposition to Eskom Unbundling and Privatization

The NYC stands firmly against the unbundling of Eskom and the relentless electricity rate hikes.

• Mass Action: We fully support of all regions that marched against the privatization of our energy utility. When boardroom politics fail to serve the poor, the streets must speak.

4. Solidarity with Impala Platinum MMM Members

The NYC declares unwavering support for our members at Impala Platinum MMM currently engaged in mass action for organizational rights.

• Call to Action: We call on Impala Platinum MMM to abide by the law and grant immediate recognition rights. We further call on the CCMA to enforce compliance rather than negotiating with corporate defiance. The NUM youth will remain on the ground until these rights are secured.

5. A Stern Warning to Anarchists

The NYC condemns the bullying tactics and anarchy displayed by rival unions, most recently evidenced by the disgraceful behavior during a memorial service in Rustenburg.

• Our Position: Do not mistake our discipline for weakness. While the NUM follows protocol, we retain the radical vibrancy that birthed this union. We are prepared to respond to anarchy swiftly and with equal energy.

6. The Generational Mix: The Future is Now

We call on young workers to claim their space within the leadership structures of the union.

• Leadership: We refuse to wait for a "tomorrow" that never comes. Young people must inject new vigour into the union now to ensure its longevity and relevance.

7. A Call to Radicalism

To our members across all sectors: The time for patience has expired. If boardrooms take too long to resolve our grievances, we will hit the streets running. We have the energy, the numbers, and the mandate. We call for a disciplined, yet radical approach to defending our lives and our livelihoods.

For more information and media inquiries, please contact:

Xolani Mkhabela, NUM Youth Structure National Secretary,  064 226 0342

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/NUM/10086002340216