Tragic death of Trade Unionist - April 2010

09 Apr 2010 - Trade Unionist Passes Away. Trade unionist, gender activist and spoksperson for young women workers, Tabisa Sigaba, passed away tragically over the Easter weekend. - on Mywage South Africa.

 

Trade unionist, gender activist and spokesperson for young women workers, Tabisa Sigaba, passed away tragically over the Easter weekend. Tabisa, who was based in Johannesburg, was fatally injured in a car crash while visiting family in her hometown of Umtata in the Eastern Cape.

 

A fulltime shop steward in the JD group for SACCAWU, (South African Commerical, Catering and Allied Workers Union), Tabisa was an outspoken and passionate campaigner for young women workers. She believed in a future where the voices of young women would be heard, where their concerns would be noted, and where they would have the power to make choices in their workplaces, their homes and within their personal spheres.

 

Tabisa was also one of the young women leaders of the Decisions for Life campaign in South Africa. At a recent conference held for Decisions for Life in Maputo, Mozambique, Tabisa called for an international gathering of young women workers. Her proposal was noted by ITUC (International Trade Union Confederation) representative Marieke Koning, who pledged support for such a global conference.

 

It has since been cofirmed that the event will take place in May 2011, and in honour of Tabisa, will carry the name The Tabisa Young Women’s Conference.

 

Tabisa has been described as having "an intoxicating love for life", as being "young, talented and full of confidence", and a "strong woman who lit up a room when she entered." A gifted speaker, she had the power to deliver thought-provoking, moving and often rousing sentiments, always with style and assertiveness.

 

Her spirit, her activism, her passion and her immense joy for life are a great loss to the trade union movement - and to her family and friends.

 

Tabisa leaves behind a five-year-old daughter. 

 

For more on Tabisa, click here. 

 

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