National Office Bearers Of NEHAWU

Comrade Patrick Makhafane - First Deputy President Of NEHAWU

Cde. Patrick Babsy Makhafane was born in the North West Province, a town called Lichtenburg at the developing area called Bodibe about 4 and half decades ago!

He then attended the primary education at Makgwe Primary School in Bodibe and later Diphetogo Lower Primary School in Jouberton Location in Klerksorp; later moved to Tshedisehang Public School in Kgotsong Location in Bothaville in the Free State Province where he later matriculated in 1998 in the then Dr. ML. Maile Secondary School!

Post matric he studied Labour Relations Management through UNISA and later Paralegal through Southern Business School and he continues to study through the same institution to date!

Cde. Patrick Babsy Makhafane started working for the Public Service on the 3rd February 2004 at the Provincial Laundry Services, an institution of the Department of Health in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, this institution is also a NEHAWU Branch located in Benji Olifant Region in the North West Province!

Cde. Makhafane immediately joined NEHAWU on the 3rd February 2004 upon resuming employment in the Public Service and remains a member to date!

ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THE UNION AND THE MDM STRUCTURES
He therefore led as the Branch Executive Committee member of the Provincial Laundry Branch and later served as its Branch Secretary. In 2005 he started working at the Tshepong Hospital and was elected as the Branch Executive Committee member in the same Branch!

On the 26th August 2006 he was elected a Regional Secretary of Benji Olifant Region, a position he held until May 2013 (7 Years), an epoch characterised by activism and militancy; this means he served the Region in his capacity as the Regional Office Bearer and the Regional Executive Committee member for seven years and concurrently he served as the NEHAWU Central Executive Committee member since 2006 to date!

In 2013 in May he was elected a Provincial Secretary of NEHAWU in the North West Province, a position he held for eight (8) years leading to November 2021! Effectively post being elected the Provincial Secretary in North West, he concurrently served as the Provincial Executive Committee member of COSATU until November 2021! He led an era (2013 - 2021) characterised by vibrancy; militancy; membership growth and unprecedented level of campaigns in the North West Province!

By virtue of serving as the Provincial Secretary in North West, he concurrently served as the National Executive Committee (NEC) member of NEHAWU while he was already a Central Executive Committee (CEC) member of the Union! This means he served as the CEC member from 2006 to date! During his terms as the ordinary member of the National Executive Committee (NEC), he served in the NEC Sub Committees, Disciplinary Sub-Committee and Procurement Sub Committee as the ordinary Committee member to the two!

He is a member in good standing of the African National Congress serving under Ward 14 Branch in Jouberton Matlosana and similarly a member in good standing of the South African Communist Party in JB Marks District in Matlosana!

In November 2021 he was then elevated by Union members from all nine Provinces to serve as the Unions’ National Office Bearer (NOB), Second (2nd) Deputy President a term resuming immediately after the 12th National Congress right through to the next National Congress!

In June 2026 he was elevated once again to serve as the First (1st) Deputy President of NEHAWU

Cde. Patrick Babsy Makhafane subscribes to and is guided by the motto, “Unity of the Workers is the indomitable Strength of the Workers and the Working Class”

End!

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

Comrade Kgomotso Makhupola - National Treasurer Of NEHAWU

National Treasurer Of NEHAWU THE National Treasurer Of NEHAWU Kgomotso MkhupolaKgomotso Makhupola joined NEHAWU in 1998 when she commenced work at Tara Hospital as a Typist. In the same year, she was elected as the Branch Treasurer. Her commitment to the worker demands saw her being elected as the Branch Chairperson in the next Branch Congress. At that point, she became the Greater Johannesburg REC delegate.

Her fierce outspokenness as a shopsteward earned her the respect and confidence of her fellow comrades in the REC. She was then elected as the Acting Regional Treasurer in 2004. In 2006, in the GJHB 2nd Regional Congress, She was elected as the Regional Secretary.

She held this position until her election as the National Treasurer in June 2014. Her leadership capacity can be traced on how well she managed the sophisticated, dynamic and challenging GJHB Region. Under her stewardship, the Region increased its membership, had programs in line with the CEC P.O.A, united the broadest section of branches and inculcated a culture of professionalism and hard work amongst staff members. As a Gauteng PEC delegate, she contributed to the unity of the NEHAWU in the Province. The re-naming of the GJHB Region remains one of the highlights of her tenure as the Regional Secretary.

As the Regional Secretary, she was known of consistently delivering comprehensive, well-written and high-quality Organizational Reports to the RECs. As an activist, having grown up in Orlando, her revolutionary working-class posture was shaped in struggle in the late 80's. She is currently serving as the ANC Chief Makana Branch Treasurer. She is a member of the SACP in Linda Jabane District.

Since her appointment as a public servant, she has pursued an illustrious academic career, and improved her worth as a worker. She has a Diploma in Public Relations (Allenby), Certificate in Human Resources Management (Damelin), Advanced Computer Literacy Certificate (Pretoria University) and Telephone and Reception Skills (Rosebank College).

She is a product of the NEHAWU-sponsored Women Leadership Course. It is from this programme that she attained the Certificate in Economic Development from the University of the Western Cape.

She was elected at the NEHAWU 11th National Congress held in June 2017 as the National Treasurer. She was further re-elected at the 2021 12th National Congress and later re-elected once again in 2026 at the 13th National Congress to continue serving as the National Treasurer.

Comrade Zola Saphetha - General Secretary Of NEHAWU

Comrade Zola Saphetha - General Secretary Of NEHAWU The General Secretary Of NEHAWU Zola SaphethaHe became active in politics from a young age, when he was involved in Congress of South Africa Students {COSAS}, where he led COSAS at School until he led the Province of the Eastern Cape as a Chairperson. After graduating from COSAS, when he arrived at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University formerly known as Port Elizabeth Technikon College Campus, he joined SASCO. A year later, he served in SASCO as the Regional Chairperson of Port Elizabeth region and year later got elected as the Eastern Cape Provincial Secretary of SASCO. His activism in SASCO saw him being elected to serve in the SRC as Deputy President and later acted as the President of the Port Elizabeth Technikon and served for two terms as the Secretary General of the South African Techinkon Student Union (SATSU). At the time, he served as a council member of the Port Elizabeth and Council of Higher Education Transformation Advisory Board and as a National Coordinator of the merged National Student Unions, namely: South African Student SRC (SAU and SATSU) into Student Federation which culminated to the establishment of South African Union of Students as currently known SAUS.

Due to his activism he got elected as the ANC Political Commissar of Pankie Dobo during the period of 1990 to 1994 and got elected in the ANCYL KwaZakhele Zonal and Regional Executive Committee in PE respectively. In the same period, he got elected as the Regional Deputy Chairperson of the National Education Coordinating Committee (NECC). Comrade Zola’s activism in student and youth politics developed a passion within him on building an alternative education system model towards the transformation of higher education landscape in the country, which would be centred on People's Education for People's Power.

On his first employment, he joined the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) and was elected as a shop steward and later co-opted into the branch executive committee. After the merger of two Universities (University of Natal and Durban Westville) in 2004, he was elected as the Branch Chairperson of the Durban Westiville branch which is the main campus of the University. His activism at UKZN in NEHAWU saw him serve in different committees of the union in the province of KwaZulu-Natal province and that saw him being elected to serve as the Provincial Chairperson of KZN in July 2008.

Whilst being the Chairperson of KZN, after the departure of the then Provincial Secretary who is was the ANC Provincial Secretary of KZN, he was then entrusted with the responsibility of being the Acting Provincial Secretary after the position was vacant in the same year, November 2008. He accepted the responsibility as a disciplined comrade of the union, and acted as Provincial Secretary until he got elected in the position at the Provincial Congress that was held in March 2012. He held that position of Provincial Secretary of KZN until the NEHAWU Special National Congress held in June 2014, where he was elected as the Deputy General Secretary.

In 2019, in the 13th World Congress of the international Trade Union of Public Service and Allied, he was unanimously, as the first African leader elected as the General Secretary and currently serving his second term.

In the year 2022 in 18th World Congress of World Trade Unions held in Rome, Italy he got elected as a member of the Presidential Council of the World Federation of Trade Unions – WFTU.

In 2026, Cde Zola Saphetha was re-elected as the General Secretary of NEHAWU unopposed.

First Deputy General Secretary Comrade Welcome Mnisi

The election of Cde Welcome Thulani Mnisi is not merely a personal achievement—but it is a victory for the workers, the people of Mpumalanga, and the entire working class of South Africa. It is a clear affirmation that revolutionary discipline, consistent service, humility, and principled leadership remain the defining qualities of those entrusted to lead our mighty union.

Cde Welcome Thulani Mnisi's revolutionary journey is deeply rooted in the struggles of ordinary workers. His activism began at Mpumalanga College of Nursing, where he emerged as a student leader wherein he served as SRC Deputy Secretary, Interim Chairperson in 2008 and subsequently elected as the SRC President for two consecutive terms in 2009 and 2010 defending the interests of student Nurses and workers as a Student Leader and a Shopsteward.

Cde Mnisi joined NEHAWU upon his commencement as a Student Nurse in 2008 at Mpumalanga College of Nursing and he was elected a NEHAWU Shopsteward 2009 while being a Student Nurse when Mpumalanga College of Nursing as a workplace was still under Themba Hospital Branch.His activism within NEHAWU got strengthened in Themba Hospital Branch where he was practicing as a Student Nurse between 2008 and 2011. Between 2009/2010 he also contributed towards the establishment of Mpumalanga College of Nursing as a stand alone NEHAWU Branch from Themba Hospital Branch working with the Shopstewards from both institutions.

Cde Welcome Mnisi joined the workforce and Public Service in Ermelo Hospital as a Community Service and Professional Nurse in April 2012 .It was during the same year in 2012 wherein he was elected as the Branch Secretary for Ermelo Hospital Branch and subsequently a Branch Chairperson in the year 2014 , and served as NEHAWU Gert Sibande Regional Executive Committee member .He was then placed in MN Cindi Clinic in Msukaligwa Subdistrict upon completing his Community Service in 2013 where is trade union movement activism was more strengthened while leading as the Branch Chairperson for Ermelo Hospital Branch which was clustered with Msukaligwa Subdistrict Department of Health and the 11 Clinics which fell under Msukaligwa Subdistrict.

Cde Mnisi was also assigned with the responsibility of Coordinating the Regional Health Subcommittee for NEHAWU Gert Sibande in the year 2013 to 2015.

His love,passion and keen interest on NEHAWU started when he was attending the interviews for Student Nurses in February 2008 at Mpumalanga College of Nursing when a the late Cde Michael Machanic Nkosi ,a NEHAWU Shopsteward being accompanied by Cde Bonginkosi Nkosi a NEHAWU Shopsteward who was representing Student Nurses in the NEHAWU Themba Hospital Branch Executive Committee entered the Boardroom and chanted a slogan while greeting and reassuring all the interviewees who had attended the recruitment process for the Student Nurses Intake.

Cde Welcome Thulani Mnisi's passion on the struggle for the proletariat, marginalized and the entire working class was more broadened when affiliates of COSATU in Msukaligwa elected him as Ermelo Local Secretary in the year 2013 and he was further appointed by COSATU Mpumalanga Provincial Executive Committee as COSATU Gert Sibande Regional Coordinator in the year 2013 wherein he was coordinating all COSATU Affiliates in the Region, which also earned him a position in the ANC Regional List Committee representing COSATU.He also served as the SACP Gert Sibande District Executive Committee for two terms.

His unwavering commitment to organisational building and workers' struggles earned him the confidence of members to serve as the Gert Sibande Regional Secretary in the year 2015 who then served as NEHAWU PEC and CEC member. During his tenure as the Regional Secretary, he became a unifying force, strengthening the region and advancing the struggles of members and workers throughout Gert Sibande. The confidence that the region placed in him was later echoed by all four Regions of NEHAWU in Mpumalanga Province, which elected him as NEHAWU Mpumalanga Provincial Secretay in the year 2016 and served for three consecutive terms and uncontested.He served as NEHAWU National Executive Committee member since the year 2016 ro date . He also served as COSATU Mpumalanga Provincial Executive Committee Member for a period of 10 years and executed his tasks with due diligence since since 2016 to June 2026.

This is a testament to a cadre who has remained rooted among workers, consistent in principle, courageous in struggle, and unwavering in defending the rights and dignity of public and private sector workers.

Beyond NEHAWU, Cde Mnisi continues to serve the broader Mass Democratic Movement and currently he is serving as the ANC Branch Treasurer for Ward 08 in Chief Albert Luthuli Subregion , a former Branch Chairperson before the amalgamation of the Branch in 2018. Currently he is serving as a Provincial Executive Committee member of the South African Communist Party (SACP) in Mpumalanga demonstrating his unwavering commitment to advancing the National Democratic Revolution and the cause of the working class.

We are confident that this collective leadership will strengthen organisational unity, deepen worker control, defend collective bargaining, and intensify the struggle for quality public services, decent work, and the complete emancipation of the working class.

His election as NEHAWU 1st Deputy General Secretary is the demonstration for the triumph of revolutionary values over personal ambition. Cde Welcome Mnisi has never sought positions for prestige; he has earned every responsibility through hard work, sacrifice, organisational discipline, and unwavering loyalty to the workers.

He believes in Unity, Collectivism,Problem Solving ,Conflict Management and that matters affecting members should be resolved expeditiously in enhancing service delivery as well as ensuring that there is labour peace in the workplace and society at large.

He carries with him the aspirations and voices of all the category of workers in both the Public and the Private Sector, as well as int eh Parastatals where NEHAWU organizes who are perpetually and continously working under some difficulty conditions. He remains a fearless voice of the voiceless, a disciplined soldier of the movement, and a servant of the working class.

Cde Welcome Mnisi has an understanding on the integration of the Workplace and Community Struggles,as well as the transformative agenda, hence he is currently serving as the Deputy Chairperson for Ermelo English Primary School Governing Body .

His election strengthens our resolve to Close Ranks, Defend the Base Campaign which remains.our organizing strategy.

Second Deputy General Secretary Comrade Baxolise Mali

Cde. Baxolise Moses Mali was born in the Eastern Cape, a town called Whittlesea in small township of Ekuphumleni often referred to Dongwe in early 80s.

Having attended early schooling in Bongolwethu Primary School, Empumelelweni Higher Primary School then matriculated in Funda High School, a school named after a prominent military and transit facility which was operated by the then ANC military wing (MK) in Angola.

He then studied in the University of Fort Hare, Alice Campus where he graduated in Geographic Information Systems and Computer Science leading to him joining the then Land Affairs as a Survey Officer where he then progressed to become a Survey Technician having passed the exams for the professional registration by the South African Council for Professional and Technical Surveyors which has now transitioned into South African Geomatics Council.

PARTICIPATION IN THE UNION AND MDM STRUCTURES

Cde. Mali having joined Land Affairs Mowbray was elected as Branch Chairperson whilst on probation contributing in building a militant branch which fought against racism, abuse of authority, and victimisation as a result of the branch militancy leading to him being unfairly suspensed alone without pay for leading an office shutdown for 4 days which the employer classified as unprotected strike action in 2013 which was overturned by the Bargaining Council.

He was elected as Ikapa South Regional Secretary in the 2nd Regional Congress held in 2015, and then again in the 3rd Regional Congress held in 2020.

In the year 2021, Cde Mali was elected as Western Cape Provincial Secretary in the 16th Provincial Congress and then again in the 17th Provincial Congress in 2025 a post he occupied until he was elected as the 2nd Deputy General Secretary in the 13th National Congress held in June 2026.

He has served in various structures of the PYA in early 2000s in the Eastern Cape, and is currently serving as a Provincial Working Committee (PWC) member of SACP in Western Cape whilst being a member of AMC Gaby Shapiro branch in Dullah Omar Region.