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Leading trade unionist honoured by Unisa

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It was a celebration befitting a leading labour leader as Unisa conferred the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (honoris causa) on James Thokoana Motlatsi. The Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Hall erupted in struggle song chants to celebrate as the icon was called to the stage.

Prof Mandla Makhanya (Principal and VC, Unisa) congratulates Dr James Thokoana Motlatsi on his Doctor of Philosophy (honoris causa) degree.

Motlatsi was born on 5 June 1951 in Morifi Village in Mohale’s Hoek in the mountain kingdom of Lesotho. In 1969, he completed his standard 6 at Mohale’s Hoek Controlled Higher Primary School. Instead of continuing a protracted schooling career with inferior education, he prioritised the workers’ struggle in the mining sector. Having humbly begun as a mine labourer at Welkom Gold mine’s no 1 shaft in 1970, his singular efforts as a trade union leader brought the labour migrant system to an end. A dedicated leader, he continuously learned and taught mine workers by the praxis of dialectical struggle. This duly earned him an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Social Sciences from The National University of Lesotho.

In 1982, Motlatsi became the first President of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa, who also attended the graduation ceremony. Motlatsi has been, in equal measures, revolutionary and influential, leading as he did 11 regions to foster worker solidarity. He innovatively opened a dedicated office with a staff complement in every region to ensure access of its services to members across the country and sectors.

Taking to the podium for his acceptance speech, Motlatsi said, “I receive this degree with a measure of humility and gratitude…The University of South Africa played a momentous role in affording an education to many acclaimed political figures in this very country and throughout our beautiful continent. This includes the present President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, former Presidents of the African National Congress, Oliver Tambo, Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, to mention a few.” Motlatsi praised the university. He noted how Unisa through its open distance learning (ODL) service played an important role in providing leaders of his time with necessary skills that helped them in the fight against apartheid. “I am proud to be associated with an institution that has not diverted its cause for over 100 years,” he affirmed.

Motlatsi is also a recipient of the Lesotho Most Loyal Order of Ramatseatsana. This was in recognition of his work associated with the establishment of the Vaal Reefs Disaster Trust Fund, among many others. Unisa is proud to honour Motlatsi with the highest degree that the university offers on meritorious grounds.

*By Tshimangadzo Mphaphuli, Senior Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement

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Publish date: 2020/11/11

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