Obituary: Mthuthuzeli Tom: Pioneer unionist and Numsa leader

He was born in the village of Mpongo outside East London on September 7 1959, one of eight children. His mother was a domestic worker and his father a factory worker at a battery assembling plant in East London.

Tom was exposed to the union movement at a young age through his father, an active member of the SA Allied Workers Union .

While a pupil at Khulani Commercial High he attended union meetings and took part in strategising sessions.

After matriculating in 1980 he trained as a welder and got his first job at Mercedes-Benz. He joined the SA Allied Workers Union and National Allied Workers Union, became involved as an organiser on the factory floor and was elected as a shop steward.

He also became active in community organisations and the United Democratic Front.

Tom was involved in talks that led to the creation of the Congress of SA Trade Unions in 1985, and led his union in talks with other metal unions to form Numsa in 1987.

He became deputy chairman of Cosatu in 1988 and president of Numsa in 1992. He held this position until his retirement due to ill health in 2008.

Tom, who died of lung cancer, is survived by his wife Ntombikayise and two children.