Sikhula Sonke

Thursday, 28 July 2011

SIKHULA SONKE successfully held her 2011 Branch General Meetings, which included the Branch Executives elections form May until July in all 13 branches in the Western-Cape, where this union organise farm workers and farm dwellers. Again Sikhula Sonke shows her strength in building leadership at grassroots level. When it comes to women leadership we dont compromise, as the staff used to say..."you either in or you out because this union remain women led".

Having the principle of being women led does not mean that we exclude men because we comprised of women and men. The men in Sikhula Sonke shows the world that women are capable of leading the struggles and they dont feel intimidated but support the initiative and stand 100% behind the women. Sikhula Sonke men also shows that being a leader does not always mean that men must be infront to prove a point, women are powerfull too.We salute our male members for proving to the patriarchal   world otherwise.

Branch General Meeting and elections were held in Bottlary, Ceres, Citrusdal, Franschoek, Grabouw, Lady Loch, Paarl, Rawsonville, R44, Sakha Ulwazi, Vlottenburg, Villiersdorp and Ubuntu. The elected executives represents a total of 47(90%) women in the executive positions and comprised of 13 Chairpersons, 12 Vice Chairpersons, 10 Secretaries and 12 Tressurers. Now you can see why we are a women led trade union...maybe the institutions that are still so clenching to the ideology of men being the best leaders can learn a thing or two from Sikhula Sonke...who knows the world might become a better place.

A SPECIAL THANKS to the Sikhula Sonke staff, and the Leadership for the long hours, late nights and weekends away from their love ones, to ensure that the standards and vallues of this beuatiful organisation is sustained. Also a BIG THANK YOU, to all our partners and funders(WOW, AGS, FOS, FNV, FHR and LRC), for making this a reality for our farm worker and dwellers, so that we can educate and be educated to be able to resist the violations of human rights.

WA TINTHA ABAFAZI....WA TINTHA IMBOKOTHO (YOU STRIKE A WOMAN...YOU STRIKE A ROCK!!!

ONELOVE...

23 June 2011

A NEW branch executive committee will be elected in the Grabouw area, after the old leaders carried out an exceptional and successful three year of service to all its union's members.

In Grabouw, the trade-union had a very powerful and competent (100%) women representitive in the committee's structure. Over the past three years, these women successfully represented workers and dwellers in evictions, and the cut-off of electricity of some farms in the area.

Some of the committee members are also worker representitives in their work place, and at the same time represent their fellow workers in labour related issues.

The elections will be held on the August 25th, 2011 on Oak Valley farm.

"We are very privaleged to have such strong and powerful women within our union. These women are an inspiration to each and every vulnerable farm worker and dweller out there, and we salute them for their contribution," said Patricia Dyata, Acting General Secretary of Sikhula Sonke.

The committee comprises of ten members of which seven (70%) are to be women.

"People that are committed, driven and passionate about improving farm workers and dwellers lives", said Dyata, with a warm-hearted smile.

The role of the branch executive committee is to ensure that immediate challenges faced by farm workers and dwellers, in the specific area (Grabouw), are dealt with.

Dyata hopes that the new leaders will be as powerful and committed as the previous committee members.

23 June 2011

A SUCCESSFUL wage negotiation process has brought about cohesion and a better understading between the farm workers and employers on Simonsig farm in Stellenbosch.

"This has been our fourth wage negotiation process on this farm since 2008. I am so excited and proud about the way our members were able to see the process through in a calm, confident and reasonable manner," said Eveliene Ockers, Regional orgnaniser for Sikhula Sonke.

This year, all farm workers ranging from post level 1 to 4 on Simonsig received a wage increase of just below 10%.

"All it took was two days and the wage negotiation process was complete, with smiles across the board. They way things look, I feel that I dont even need to be at next year's wage negotiation on that farm, they have it all under control," said Ockers, with a warm-hearted smile.

Government requires all farm owners to adhere to its minimum wages of R317.51 p/w.

At Simonsig, farm workers who receive the lowest income still manages to earn 39.81% more than the law requires.

"Everyone came out of the meeting with smiles and couldnt be happier," said Ockers.