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The Liberated Metalworkers Union of South Africa mourns the passing away of the struggle veteran, Comrade Eric “Stalin” Mtshali. Comrade Mtshali passed away this morning in the costal province of Kwa-Zulu Natal.
 
Known to many as the “Man of Steel”, Comrade Stalin is best known for his commitment to the festival of the oppressed. He dedicated his whole life to the struggle for the total emancipation of the oppressed. He was an epitome of hope for the working class of this country, the continent and across the world.
 
Comrade Stalin spent most of his life building working class formations across the African continent. He spent most his time building powerful trade union formations such as the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) in the African Continent. He was dedicated and committed to the working-class struggle until his last day.
 
He was a true socialist until his last day of life. He leaves behind the legacy of a revolutionary that has been corrupt or stolen from the poor. He was a disciplined leader and encouraged all those that knew him to never steel from the people.
 
He was really exemplary. He was part of the Luthuli detachment and played a role in many ways and was given many responsibilities. However, what made him exemplary is that he never made demands or made the movement to feel as if it owed him for his contribution unlike what we see from many today. After he came back, he became a ward councillor in eThekwini and later became an ordinary Member of Parliament.
 
He was a true internationalist and nothing without the word internationalism can best define him. He worked in the head quarters of WFTU in 1976 building the trade union movement, fighting against the apartheid regime and uniting workers across the continent.
 
He occupies a special place in the hearts of young people. When the SACP took a decision to rebuild the YCLSA, he was given the task and indeed his work is evident even today. He will forever be a member of the YCLSA as he was given lifetime membership for the role that he played in the life of the league.
 
The General Secretary of LIMUSA stated that “he was a father to many of those that came after him. He was the Che Guevara of the African continent; a man that dedicated his life to the struggles of others. He viewed the struggle of others as his own struggle and always worked towards emancipating the oppressed.”
 
LIMUSA is grateful for the life of this revolutionary giant. He leaves behind a legacy to live for and to continue. He is indeed a true example of a revolutionary raised by the trade union movement and a vanguard party.
 
We dip our banners to honour the life of this revolutionary giant; a true communist to the end; a dedicated servant of the people; in his own right an agent of change; a struggle veteran; a true MK soldier; founder of the military wing of the military wing of both the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the African National Congress, Umkhonto we Sizwe.
 
Farewell to a revolutionary, an intellect, a writer, a soldier and a servant of the people. Once again, the Mass Democratic Movement has lost a great soldier in the front lines of the struggle for social justice. The National Democratic Revolution has lost a champion for a none-racist, none-sexist, prosperous and united society. The NDR has lost a voice against the capitalist brutalities which harbours hunger, poverty and inequality.
 
We send our heartfelt condolences to his family, the South African Communist Party, the trade union movement, the Young Communist League of South Africa, the ANC, MK and the entire Mass Democratic Movement. We are deeply saddened by his passing and commit ourselves to advancing from where he left.
 
Lala ngoxolo Man of Steel.
 
Issued by LIMUSA