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Gauteng Premier David Makhura has learnt with great sadness of the passing of Emma Mashinini, a South African trade unionist, political leader and respected human rights activist.

Mrs Mashinini died on Monday 10 July in Johannesburg at the age of 87.

Mrs Mashinini was a tireless activist for peace and justice and the overall betterment of lives of all South Africans, especially those who had suffered decades of oppression under the apartheid rule.

Emma Mashinini was dubbed the doyenne of the South African trade union movement for the pioneering role she played in trade unionism after having been forced to seek employment at a young age.  She served in various leadership roles in the National Union of Clothing Workers and the Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union of South Africa (CCAWUSA), which she founded. 

She fought for the inclusion of women leaders during the founding of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) in 1985, and helped ensure their logo included the image of a woman with a baby.

“On behalf of the Gauteng Provincial Government and the Gauteng residents I would like to extend heartfelt condolences to the Mashinini family and friends. Mme Mashinini dedicated a great deal of her life to the fight against apartheid and championed the rights of the working class,” said Premier Makhura.

Issued by the Gauteng Provincial Government