Comrade Linda Nthulane - Second Deputy President Of NEHAWU
Linda Tshilidzi Nthulane is an accomplished trade union leader, public servant, labour relations specialist, and community activist with more than 35 years of experience in organised labour, governance, collective bargaining, and public administration. She has built an outstanding career advocating for workers' rights, promoting ethical leadership, and strengthening democratic institutions across local, provincial, and national structures.
Born in Gogobole Village, Sinthumule, within the Makhado Local Municipality in Limpopo, Linda has dedicated her professional life to serving both her community and the broader South African workforce. She began her career in 1988 with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) at Air Force Base Makhado (formerly AFB Louis Trichardt). Her election as a Shop Steward in 1992 marked the beginning of a distinguished leadership journey within the trade union movement.
Over the years, Linda has held numerous senior leadership positions within her union, including Regional Treasurer, Regional Deputy Chairperson, Regional Chairperson, Provincial Deputy Chairperson, Acting Provincial Chairperson, and Provincial Chairperson. She currently serves as the Second Deputy President of the union, providing strategic leadership on labour matters, organisational development, and worker representation.
Her leadership extends beyond the trade union environment. Within the Alliance, she has served as COSATU Makhado Local Secretary, a Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) member, and Provincial Deputy Chairperson. She has also held several leadership roles within the ANC Women's League, including Regional Executive Committee Member, Branch Secretary, Branch Chairperson, and Makhado Sub-Regional Treasurer. In the South African Communist Party (SACP), she has served on the Alpheus Malivha District Committee and currently serves on the Provincial Executive Committee.
Linda possesses extensive expertise in labour relations, dispute resolution, collective bargaining, and organisational governance. She has served as Deputy Chairperson of the GPSSBC Limpopo Council, represented the Department of Defence as a Bargaining Council Negotiator, and later chaired the Bargaining Council, where she successfully facilitated negotiations and promoted constructive labour relations.
Her commitment to public service is further reflected in her tenure as a Proportional Representation (PR) Councillor for Makhado Municipality and later at the Vhembe District Municipality, where she contributed to the Labour Forum Committee and supported initiatives aimed at strengthening local governance and community development.
A firm believer in lifelong learning, Linda has continually invested in her professional development. Her qualifications include a Trade Unionist Development Programme, Women's Leadership Development Programme (University of the Witwatersrand), a Certificate in Economic Development, a Diploma in Municipal Governance, certificates in Legislation, Human Resources, Personnel Management, Financial Management, Ethics and Basic Computer Skills (Technicon Pretoria), and a Certificate in Conflict Management from the University of Venda.
Throughout her career, Linda Tshilidzi Nthulane has earned a reputation as a principled, visionary, and results-driven leader. Her extensive experience in trade unions, labour relations, governance, public administration, and political leadership reflects her unwavering commitment to social justice, worker empowerment, ethical governance, and the advancement of democratic values in South Africa