Joseph Mathunjwa

Joseph Mathunjwa is a South African trade union leader who serves as president of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU). He is a prominent figure in South Africa's mining sector labour movement, known for his advocacy on behalf of mineworkers' rights and safety. Mathunjwa rose to national prominence during the 2012 Marikana strike, where AMCU represented platinum miners demanding higher wages. He has been a vocal critic of what he describes as exploitative working conditions in South Africa's mining industry, particularly in the platinum belt of North West province. Under his leadership, AMCU has positioned itself as a militant alternative to the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), challenging the latter's dominance in the sector. Mathunjwa has led several protracted strikes in the platinum mining industry, including a five-month stoppage in 2014 that significantly affected production at major producers. He recurs in coverage of mining labour disputes, wage negotiations and workplace safety incidents in South Africa's extractive industries. His leadership style emphasises direct action and rank-and-file mobilisation. Before founding AMCU in 1998, Mathunjwa worked as a mineworker and was involved in earlier union organising efforts in the sector.