21/03/2026
Publication: SWF
Author: Goffen Motlhoding
On the SWF 10th anniversary on Saturday 21st March 2026, SWF activist Goffen Motlhoding says organising through Simunye Workers Forum improved wages and confidence.
Workers at Core Group (technology and computer sales) say organising through the Simunye Workers Forum (SWF) has helped them improve wages, learn labour rights and gain the confidence to negotiate with their employer over the past several years.
Goffen Motlhoding, representing Core Group workers, said the group joined the organisation in December 2018 after receiving a pamphlet from organisers encouraging workers to visit the SWF office and raise workplace concerns.
At the time, many of the workers were employed through an agent called Paladin. SWF organisers supported the workers to open a case.
“We were given a platform to raise our issues,” Comrade Motlhoding said. “The office assisted us to open a case against the employer demanding permanent positions and also to raise issues like the provident fund and wage increases.”
Through collective action and negotiations, some of those issues were placed on the agenda with the company. “Our lives have already become better,” he said. “We can say we earn better salaries because of the work we have done together.”
ACHIEVEMENTS OVER THE PAST DECADE
Reflecting on the past years with the organisation, Motogeng said the experience has shown workers the value of collective organisation.
“For the past eight years knowing SWF, we recommend it because it works better than other unions we know,” he said. He added that the organisation has consistently supported workers in negotiations with their employer.
“Since we organised under SWF we have never lost any case or any negotiation with the company,” he said. “For us as workers, that is a big achievement.”
