Tears of joy and jubilation were the order of the day as Newcastle Municipality Mayor, Xolani Dube, alongside Deputy Mayor Musa ‘Sugar’ Thwala, Speaker Thengi Zulu and Chief Whip Nelisiwe Mthabela officially welcomed back the 223 municipal employees who were previously dismissed.
Things came full circle for the employees on Monday, 3 October, when their reinstatement was officiated at the Newcastle Show Hall, the same place where the protest action, which led to their dismissal, had taken place. Beaming with excitement, Jabu Mokoena lauded the efforts of the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) and the leadership of Newcastle under the stewardship of Mayor Dube. Mokoena thanked the council for displaying profound leadership traits. “As the regional secretary for SAMWU and also as one of the previously dismissed employees, I identify with the hardships, pain and pressure that came with the 2019 tragedy. Today, we are alleviated from the shackles of hopelessness and poverty because of the leadership of Newcastle,” she said.
Mayor Dube also reiterated that the return of the employees was over and above a sign of Ubuntu and the right thing to do. “Today, we have indeed made history. I trust that, moving forward, we will work tirelessly for the betterment of the people of our town. Your return marks the beginning of something great and it will restore Newcastle to its former glory of being the cleanest city,” he said. The Newcastle Municipality will also be conducting psychological and emotional counselling for the reinstated employees.
