Siphelele Nketo
AN Umzimvubu Local Municipality employee and union representative for the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) Nande Nkonzo has been elected as the deputy chairperson of the SAMWU in the OR Tambo region, Eastern Cape.
He was elected during the union’s virtual regional executive committee meeting on March 4.
He has been the chairperson of SAMWU in the Umzimvubu Local Municipality, actively involved in labour representation and workplace governance within the municipality for several years. It has been stated that he will remain the chairperson for the workers union in the Umzimvubu Local Municipality.
His election to the regional leadership structure reflects both his commitment to organised labour and the confidence placed in him by union members across the OR Tambo region.
In the Umzimvubu Local Municipality, he holds several key responsibilities that place him at the forefront of labour relations and employee welfare.
In addition to leading the local SAMWU structure, he serves as the deputy chairperson of the Local Labour Forum where management and organised labour engage on workplace matters affecting municipal employees. He also sits on the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Committee, contributing to initiatives aimed at ensuring safe and healthy working conditions for municipal workers.
Nkonzo forms part of the municipality’s Placement Committee – a body responsible for processes related to staff placement and organisational restructuring.
Through these roles, he has gained extensive experience in labour relations, employee representation and institutional governance.
His new responsibilities as deputy chairperson for SAMWU in the OR Tambo region include strengthening the union’s leadership as it continues to advocate for the rights, welfare and fair treatment of municipal workers.
The union members have described him as one of the most dedicated and principled leaders who has consistently demonstrated commitment to improve working conditions and promote constructive dialogue between workers and municipal management.
