Blackwell Reference Online

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Moses Mayekiso (Moses Jongizizwe Mayekiso, Moss Mayekiso) was born on October 21, 1948 in Askeaton, Cala District, Transkei, South Africa. He was the eldest of 12 children. His father, Betwell Mayekiso, worked as a migrant miner, and later as a general laborer. His mother, Nokudama Mayekiso, ran the household in her husband's absence. Mayekiso left school early to find work, and in 1973 made his way to Alexandra Township, Johannesburg. After three years of working as a general laborer for a number of construction companies, Mayekiso eventually secured a job at the Toyota factory, where he joined the Metal Allied Workers' Union (MAWU), linked to the Trade Union Advisory Coordinating Council, and later the Federation of South African Unions (FOSATU), formed in 1979. Mayekiso played an active part in building the young union, and was elected shop steward. Along with other MAWU shop stewards, Mayekiso was dismissed in 1979 after the union led a series of strikes for recognition. Mayekiso continued his trade union activities by volunteering at the union. He was employed as an organizer for the eastern Witwatersrand, and in 1981 he became branch secretary of MAWU's Transvaal Region. The eastern Witwatersrand was a hotbed of African worker militancy during the early 1980s. Mayekiso was not only involved in the strike waves that engulfed the metal industry, he also assisted with the establishment ... log in or subscribe to read full text