THABO OWEN MOKWENA | Rio Phila Nolutshungu led change for the municipal workforce in democracy

On September 5, dark clouds descended and the heavens called on our brother Rio Phila Nolutshungu, leaving us shattered.

A pioneer who possessed the requisite knowledge and expertise to propel developmental local government has departed our midst.

In June 2002, I had the privilege of an encounter with Nolutshungu in the corridors of the South African Local Government Association (Salga). He was joining the ranks of the local government sphere.

Back then his demeanour was rather demure, though a little birdie whispered to me he was very pronounced in his social escapades. Of course with the passing of time, I got to appreciate his personality of being reserved, yet calculating and resolute.

Fond memories of Nolutshungu bring to mind Joe Cocker’s classic “N'oubliez jamais (never forget) every generation has its way”. Cocker, with his raspy voice, commands a clear message that “every generation has a song and a dance”.

In the decade of the 2000s, Nolutshungu was part of a formidable, capable and seasoned brigade of local government pioneers. He was in the midst of visionary architects of the developmental local state. Lest we forget, that generation had a song and a dance.

Nolutshungu was in his early 30s when he appended his signature to Salga, only to face the might of a municipal workforce of 500,000 and its organised labour. He was armed with the necessary professional qualifications, requisite experience and, most importantly, a desire to contribute to changing the landscape of local government.

Unbeknown to Nolutshungu, he was in for a baptism of fire. In the same month he joined Salga, the South African Municipal Workers Union was preparing a nationwide strike which turned out to be the longest and most violent strike in the history of local government.

Nolutshungu's priority was securing the principal mandate given by municipalities.

He said: “Mr CEO, let's first safeguard the municipal fiscus and service delivery, and for that I am prepared to take the fall.”

Salga leadership, inclusive of the sterling work by Nolutshungu, emerged out of the impasse with a historic first multi-year agreement. A major victory was also secured in further engagements on the conditions of service, and in laying a solid foundation for the future dispensation of local government bargaining.

The legacy began.

One might ask what necessitates a public tribute to Nolutshungu? His contribution was at a significant historic juncture, setting up post-apartheid local government systems. He was a key player in restructuring and redesigning the conditions of service for more than 500,000 workers serving municipalities across South Africa.

It is therefore undeniable that he directly and indirectly touched the lives of municipal workers, their families and the communities they serve.

It is that deep-seated comprehension of the impact of his role on the lives of people that ignited his passion to uplifting humanity.

Local government was at a turning point when Nolutshungu joined its ranks. The new architectural design of a developmental local government system had recently been legislated, with the redemarcated boundaries affected and council structures elected in 2000.

At the onset of 2002 a momentous transformation agenda was set for Nolutshungu. He had to hit the ground running. Chief among priorities was the harmonisation of conditions of service, primarily to review old order conditions and benefits and introduce a new dispensation. The old order conditions were onerous to municipalities and racially skewed.

Another priority was an initiative by Salga to restructure municipal pension funds. The funds had hundreds of billions in assets under management. This was the task that gave Nolutshungu sleepless nights. The vested interests were entrenched and toxic. He gave it his best shot, and to date it remains unfinished business.

He blended well with key leaders and role players in the sector. His humility earned him respect and recognition by unions, councillors, managers, workers and the private sector servicing local government.

His leadership style encapsulated what psychologists call “postural congruence”. For him to understand and appreciate the plight of municipal workers, he ought to have employed postural echoing manoeuvres.

The task of developing post-apartheid local government systems and structures was daunting, and Nolutshungu was not one to shy away from the challenge.

At the time of his departure from this world, it would be 22 years since he joined the ranks of local government, and 24 years since the promulgation of the post-apartheid municipal systems and structures.

How far did we go and where are we now? Why are there recurrent, chronic and endemic challenges bedevilling municipalities? Was the foundation solid?

This we must ponder. Failure to do so would betray the legacy of Nolutshungu's brigade who led and served with utmost dedication.

In the years I had the privilege of working with him, the man was literally living from a suitcase. He criss-crossed the country, attending to municipal labour issues and capacity building. At times he would be in three provinces in one day. Such was the dedication and working spirit of Nolutshungu.

Paraphrasing Franz Kafka, the essence and core meaning of life is that it start and stops somewhere. Though short lived, Nolutshungu was true to the meaning of life and the natural order of things.

Former president Thabo Mbeki once said: “We, who have the gift of knowledge, know that the mortal frame will depart our midst, because had it not, it would not have been faithful to the natural order of things.”

Mbeki also reminded: “All mortal life that is without end turns into a curse.”

The great son, umzukulwana woMavela oZotsho no Gcwanini uyophumla nezinyanya zakhe. Mkhululeni has joined his ancestors in eternal rest.

• Thabo Owen Mokwena, a former CEO of Salga, writes in his personal capacity.