Masotsha Ndlovu

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Masotsha Ndlovu (1890-1982) was a black labour union leader in Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. He was active in that country's section of the Industrial and Commercial Workers' Union (ICU).

Early life[]

He was born at Saba village in Matabeleland.[1] He worked in Bulawayo from 1910 as a messenger, before moving to South Africa to improve his education.[2] In South Africa he was exposed to the African National Congress, the South African Communist Party and the ICU, as well as the ideas of Marcus Garvey.

Career[]

In 1927, the ICU was founded in Southern Rhodesia, and in 1928, Ndlovu became one of its leaders in Bulawayo, serving as its secretary-general. The union faced repression, and Ndlovu was jailed in 1933. Following his release, he cut all ties to the union.[2] In the 1940s, he again was involved with unions, working with Benjamin Burombo of the African Workers Voice Association, and the nationalist Southern Rhodesia African National Congress. He was repeatedly jailed/interned from 1959-1971. His family was supported by the Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU) in the 1970s. He identified with ZAPU in the transition to Zimbabwe and the first all-race national elections.[3] He died in 1982, was named a national hero. He was buried at National Heroes Acre (Zimbabwe) in Harare, and has several roads named in his honour.

References[]

  1. ^ "Masotsha Sergeant Ndlovu: A Biography," Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  2. ^ a b Mashingaidze, Terence M. (2012-02-02). "Ndlovu, Masotsha (1890–1982)". In Akyeampong, Emmanuel Kwaku (ed.). Dictionary of African Biography. OUP USA. pp. 421–423. ISBN 9780195382075.
  3. ^ Pathisa Nyathi, 1998, In Search of Freedom: Masotsha Ndlovu, Harare: Longman
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