BY JAMES M MUTASA

Antony Nyashanu unanimously retained the Presidency of the National Union of Metal and Allied Industries in Zimbabwe at its recent held congress.

Nyashanu who ascended to the top post of NUMAIZ in 2013 during its inaugural congress held at ZESA Training Centre in Harare was unchallenged at the 2^nd Congress held at Mbizo Conference Centre popularly known as Nedziwe in Kwekwe.

‘I am overwhelmed by the confidence bestowed in me by workers in the Metal Industry to once again steer them out of the employer oppression through this giant ship NUMAIZ,’ said Nyashanu in his acceptance speech.

 ‘My re-election,’ Nyasahnu went on, ‘does not mean that I am clever or courageous than all of you, but it simply means together we will emancipate ourselves from the employer subjugation.’

Patrick Gambiza was elected the 1^st Vice President while Owen Mwale got the 2^nd Vice President position with Brighton Musariri elected the Treasurer General while Elvis Nduku, Lindiwe Charimeyi and Simon Njanike being appointed as trustees thereby completing the National Office Bearers of the Nyashanu led executive.

The NUMAIZ congress was presided over by the Chairperson of Industriall Global Union Zimbabwean affiliate, Joseph Tanyanyiwa, who is also General Secretary of National Union of the Clothing Industry.

Tanyanyiwa told congress delegates that the clothing sector is in the process of merging and this, they are doing under the supervision of Henry Tarumbira Secretary General of NUMAIZ.     

Princess Chachoka, General Secretary of the National Employment Council for the Ferro Alloy Industry graced the occasion flanked by her Designated Agent Caith Kurehwa. Patience Kavuru the National Employment Council for the Electronics Industry’ General Secretary also attended the congress.

 Prior to the main congress NUMAIZ had held its Young Workers and Women Advisory Council (WAC) conferences at its head office in Harare.

The Young Workers Conference presided by Tafadzwa Chidhindi of Zimbabwe Chemicals and Plastics Workers Union saw Obey Svinurai of ZIMSCO being elected the young workers’ chairperson taking over from Nelson Tito.

Chidhidhi told the participating youth that there is a lot of rewards and benefits particularly for being a trade union activist,

‘I traveled a lot of countries through trade unionism and this is applicable to yourselves only if you participate in trade union programs,’ Chidhindi said. 

 Fungai Musiyiwa of Monachrome (Pvt) Limited of Chegutu was appointed WAC chairperson taking over from Nyasha Benza who left the metal industry.

The WAC Conference was presided over by the president of National Union of the Clothing Industry Miriam Katumba who is also a ZCTU General Council member. Katumba like Chidhindi before her, urged women to participate in trade union activities.

‘Women remain the minority in trade union activism, this marginalization of women is attributed to a number of factors which need a whole day to explain,’ Katumba said.

‘Despite our minority as women, I would like to urge you to continuously participate in both NUMAIZ and ZCTU activities, starting with attending workers’ day preparatory meetings,’ she added.

NUMAIZ is a merger of two unions Zimbabwe Metal Energy and Allied Workers Union (ZMEAWU) and Motor Vehicle Manufacturing Workers Union of Zimbabwe (MVMWUZ).

It is critically important to note that ZMEAWU was on its own right a merger of four unions which were Automotive and allied workers’ union of Zimbabwe (AAWUZ), Electronics Communications Radio and TV Manufacturing and Allied Industry Workers Union (Radio & TV), Zimbabwe Ferro Alloy Workers Union (ZIFAWU) and Iron and Steel Workers Union of Zimbabwe.

NUMAIZ’ appetizing background makes Nyashanu’ ascendancy to power sweeter   considering that he is arguably the undisputed President of all the Zimbabwean Metal Workers for the next five years.