Hlaganani Basebenzi
SAHA T-shirt archive, photographed for Common, curated by Khanya Mashabela for Common, 6 May–26 July 2023. Image courtesy of A4 Arts Foundation.
Title
Hlaganani Basebenzi
Date
1980s
Type
Archival garment
Associated organisations
Garment and Allied Workers' Union of South Africa (GAWU)
Dimensions
58 x 67 cm
HLANGANANI BASEBENZI An injury to one is an injury to all (front)
The Garment and Allied Workers' Union of South Africa (GAWU) originated from the Transvaal section of the Black Allied Workers' Union. In 1980, Rita Ndzanga and Mary Ntsike factionalised the union, leading to the creation of GAWU. GAWU, a non-racial union, was made up of mine workers, cleaners, scooter drivers, and petrol and transport workers.
By 1985, the union had 19,076 members and became a founding affiliate of the Congress of South African Trade Unions. In 1987, it merged with the Health and Allied Workers' Union and the South African Allied Workers' Union to form the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union.
