Solidarity
Solidarity is a South African trade union representing primarily skilled workers, professionals and white-collar employees across various sectors. The union is headquartered in Centurion, Gauteng, and operates throughout South Africa. Solidarity evolved from the Mineworkersunion (MWU) and has historically represented Afrikaans-speaking workers, though its membership base has broadened over time. The union has about 150 000 members and is known for its focus on workplace rights, labour relations and advocacy on behalf of its members. Solidarity is not affiliated with the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and operates independently. The union frequently engages in litigation and public campaigns on issues affecting its members, including employment equity, language rights and access to public services. It has established a range of affiliated institutions, including the Solidarity Research Institute, the Solidarity Helping Hand fund and training centres. Solidarity is led by a general secretary and an elected leadership structure. The union was established in its current form in 2002, building on the legacy of earlier mineworker organisations dating back to the early twentieth century.
Solidarity Updates
Daily Podcast – October 29, 2026
By: Thabi Shomolekae 29th October 2026 Making headlines: Cachalia seeks Cabinet approval to appoint Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as new Hawks head; Solidarity heads to US again to ‘protect Agoa,... →
Solidarity heads to US again to ‘protect Agoa, jobs’
By: Thabi Shomolekae 29th October 2026 Trade union Solidarity has dispatched a delegation to the US in an urgent attempt to mitigate what it says is a severe diplomatic fallout and... →
Incapacity dismissals: Why dismissal must always be the last resort
19th October 2026 Dismissals based on ill-health or incapacity present some of the most sensitive challenges in employment law. Unlike misconduct dismissals,... →
High Court overturns government's Black empowerment code for legal sector 
By: Reuters 8th October 2026 A South African court has overturned a Black economic empowerment code for the legal sector, ruling the government failed to properly exercise its... →
SA could be out of AGOA before Christmas
30th September 2026 Solidarity says the possibility of South Africa being removed from AGOA before Christmas is growing by the day. The White House is currently... →
Solidarity Movement announces its five answers to US asks
29th September 2026 The Solidarity Movement, which includes AfriForum and Solidarity, today announced five proposed answers to the five asks of the US. Last year, the... →
Premier of the Western Cape Government and Another v Speaker of the National Assembly and Others; City of Cape Town and Others v Speaker of the National Assembly and Others (CCT 103/25; CCT 144/25) [2026] ZACC 37
18th September 2026 Click here to read the full judgment on Saflii [1] These are two applications brought in terms of section 167(4)(e) of the Constitution for... →
ConCourt victory blocks state procurement capture
18th September 2026 Sakeliga welcomes today’s Constitutional Court victory over the Public Procurement Act by the Premier of the Western Cape, the City of Cape Town,... →
Solidarity Movement: Urgent solutions needed to resolve diplomatic crisis with the US
16th September 2026 The Solidarity Movement, which includes AfriForum and Solidarity, says the latest statement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio makes it clear... →
Solidarity presents ‘race-free by 2030’ roadmap to European, Dutch Parliaments
By: Thabi Shomolekae 9th September 2026 Trade union Solidarity has submitted a comprehensive report proposing a roadmap for a race-free South Africa by 2030 to the Dutch Parliament. The... →
