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The Socialist Revolutionary Workers Party joins together with our comrades of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) in mourning the passing of comrade Vusimuzi Cibane KwaZulu-Natal Regional Chairperson, and a dedicated cadre of SRWP.

Comrade Cibane died last night, Thursday 14 January 2021, at his family home in KwaNdengezi, outside Pinetown, after a short illness.

We lower our revolutionary banners in honour of comrade Cibane and his outstanding work and commitment both, within Numsa and SRWP. He was unbending and generous in his service to the working class, in particular as a dedicated Numsa shop steward and Chairperson. His dedication was not limited to just rhetoric and words, but was put into practice over the many years he led the Numsa Pinetown Local, and then later as Chairperson for Numsa KZN. Comrade Cibane constantly struggled for the improvement of conditions of workers on the shop floor.

We take this time to remember that despite Comrade Cibane’s unwavering dedication to the trade union he served within, he did not limit his political work to only dealing with shop floor issues. He understood all too well that the true work of a revolutionary was to build working class power, and be in solidarity with the broader daily struggles of the working class throughout society, and in light of this, he was vital in the building of the Socialist Revolutionary Workers Party.

In honour and memory of comrade Cibane, SRWP would like to join together with Numsa, and other like-minded working class formations to reaffirm our constant commitment to fight against capitalism, and the oppression and exploitation it imposes on our society, especially on the working class and poor.

We extend our deepest condolences to his family, relatives, comrades and friends.

His death is a painful reminder to us all that what is alive today will soon disappear. We will make sure that the memory and legacy of comrade Cibane does not die, and that he receives the full honour deserved by such a committed working class comrade and leader.

In Solidarity,

Motebang Oupa Ralake

Issued by The Socialist Revolutionary Workers Party