17 April 2023
The South African Communist Party (SACP) in the Eastern Cape has learnt with great sense of sadness the passing of Comrade Thabile Kunene, the Provincial Chairperson of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU).
Comrade Thabile Kunene succumbed to a short illness on Saturday, 15 April 2023.
The SACP in the Eastern Cape sends its heartfelt condolences to the family of Comrade Kunene, his union, the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU), COSATU and the congress movement at large. We wish strength to all affected by his passing in various ways during this difficult moment.
Comrade Kunene has dedicated his entire adult life to the service of the people and their organisations. He associated himself with the people’s struggle through student activism and later as a worker joined the labour movement.
Comrade Thabile Kunene grew in the structures of the movement and became an astute Marxist scholar. He was an activist of the African National Congress (ANC), the (SACP and the COSATU. His commitment to the service of the teachers through the stewardship of SADTU saw him elected in various structures of SADTU and also served as the Provincial Chairperson.
Comrade Kunene served as the Provincial Chairperson of COSATU in the Eastern Cape. He played a critical role in fostering the unity and cohesion of the revolutionary alliance even during testing times. In his memory, we must ensure the principled functionality of the alliance to be of the best service to the people.
His commitment to the improvement of the socio-economic conditions of the workers and the poor shall always remain in our hearts. As the SACP, we dip our revolutionary banner in honour of the great servant of the workers and the poor.
In his memory, we shall continue fighting shoulder to shoulder with the workers to roll back the neo-liberal policy discourse and the consequent austerity measures.
Issued by the SACP Eastern Cape
Contact:
Simphiwe Thobela
SACP Provincial Spokesperson
Mobile: 0769707101
Email: thobelasimphiwe@gmail.com
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