29/03/2026
Publication: SWF
Author: Ivy Noluvuyo Magida
SWF member Ivy Noluvuyo Magida looks back on her years as an SWF activis.
I joined the Simunye Workers Forum in 2019. The struggles that I faced as a worker was, I've been working for Mr. Sweet, which is now called Premier, for 39 years. I am going on pension in August 2026.
I joined the Simunye Workers Forum because we wanted to be helped to get a living wage. So when we went there, we were organised by comrade Jacob.
Simunye Workers Forum means power, protection. By that I mean at work, they know we have a home, where we get help, where we feel free to discuss our working issues.
Simunye Workers Forum has learnt how to fight labour brokers and give casual workers permanent jobs. They know how to organize and workers trust the Simunye Workers Forum. And when we come to the office, we'll always find friendly people to assist with our struggles at the workplace.
The highlights of the last ten years for me was our strike at Mister Sweet. We were never hungry when we were at the picketing line. Simunye Workers Forum provided us with food and transport money for the whole 11 weeks that we have been on strike. I gained the most important lesson.
They also helped individuals. Like a worker has a son who is on drugs. The Simunye Workers Forum have organised rehab and assisted his mother to get help. When it comes to the Simunye Workers Forum, we are always happy because we know we are at home.
For the future, I want to see Simunye Workers Forum grow, get the registration certificate as a union, and continue to fight for the poor workers.
