Wednesday, 14 October 2026:- The South African Communist Party (SACP) expresses its message of heartfelt condolences to the family of Comrade Mduduzi Mbongwe, the General Secretary of the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) and member of the SACP Central Committee, who died on Tuesday night.
The SACP also conveys its message of solidarity to the membership and leadership of SACCAWU and the entire membership of Cosatu, as well as to the membership of our Party, for the devastating loss.
Born on 9 September 1965 from a revolutionary family in Richmond, Kwazulu-Natal, Comrade Mdu, as he was affectionately known among his comrades and the trade union movement, was a dedicated communist who served the working class and the Party with distinction.
He was a humble and highly disciplined servant of the people who wholeheartedly threw himself into relentless battles against capitalist exploitation of workers and selflessly provided excellent service to workers. Before ascending to the position of General Secretary, he served the union as the union’s Organiser, thereafter as Regional Secretary at Wits Region, and joined the National Secretariat in 1999 as the Deputy General Secretary until 2025 when he was elected as General Secretary. He will be remembered by workers as a revolutionary, an organic negotiator at Nedlac, a true workers’ advocate and internationalist.
Comrade Mdu’s work as a member of the SACP Gauteng Provincial Executive Committee contributed in no small measure to the stabilising of the Party in the province. Having proved his dedication as a member and leader in the Party, he was later co-opted into the SACP Central Committee, where he served till he breathed his last.
In paying tribute to Comrade Mduduzi Mbongwe, the SACP calls for the unity of the working class in the fight towards socialism. His untiring service to the trade union movement and the working class should also inspire his federation, Cosatu, to strengthen itself as it comes out of its 15th National Congress and not allow itself to be divided by short-term battles. Our collective response to exploitation and imperialism must be international working-class solidarity, national sovereignty and a just peaceful world order.
A good negotiator, an excellent organiser, a dedicated and patient educator, and communist till the end!
ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN COMMUNIST PARTY
FOUNDED IN 1921 AS THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF SOUTH AFRICA.
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