30/08/2019
We announce with deep sorrow, the untimely death of the former ZEWU President, Comrade Angeline Chitambo who passed on during the morning of 29 August 2019. Noone expected of this sudden death as she had no history of ill-health. On behalf of ZEWU family we convey our sincere and heartfelt condolences and hereby request God the Almighty to grant Chitambo family strength at this difficult moment.
Cde Angeline Chitambo is a well known cadre who fought immensely for the workers’ rights nationally, regionally and internationally. Her priceless contributions in the labour fraternity will be greatly missed not only by the ZEWU family but by the labour movement as a whole.
Chitambo joined ZEWU at its formation in 1987. In the same year, she became a member of the workers’ committee and rose to become Harare branch executive member. In 1990, she was elected into ZEWU women’s structure as a secretary of National Women Advisry Council (NWAC). Chitambo ascended to the high post of Acting Vice President in 2000, which position she held up to year 2003 wherein she became a substantive vice President. She was elected to the post of the President in 2006 thereby becoming the 3rd woman president in ZEWU until January 2017.
During her lifetime in ZEWU, Cde Chitambo was a firebrand trade unionist who made trail blazing change in the organization. She managed to put in place ZEWU structures in terms of the Constitution of the organization and different committees were put in place including the Education and Training committee which saw the training of ZEWU members at different levels.
Under her leadership, ZEWU grew from strength to strength through membership organising and training. To date, ZEWU established its representation to many companies in the energy sector and draws its membership from the following companies ZESA Holdings and its subsidiary companies, Rural Electrification Agency, Petrozimline , Petrotrade, National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabawe, Zimbabwe National Water Authority, Zambezi River Authority, Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority, Companiado Pipeline Mozambique Zimbabwe (CPMZ), Greenfuels and Aggrekko.
During her tenure of office, ZEWU managed to acquire a 7000 sqm stand in the low density area of Meyrick Park, Malbereign, Harare with the view of developing it into a Labour Training College. A fleet of vehicles was also acquired during that period. A cell phone and laptop project was enrolled which offered these items on credit to our members.
Under her leadership, ZEWU facilitated successful commemorations of all recognized labour days which include workers day, women’s day, youth day, Health and Safety day.
Cde Chitambo was respected as a staunch trade unionist nationally, regionally and internationally who pushed for the unconditional recognition of workers’ rights at the workplace. She did not compromise when it comes to workers’ issues. She networked with different trade unions in the region and beyond and this enabled ZEWU to share critical ideas and experiences for the benefit of membership.
During the same period ZEWU joined International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers Unions (ICEM) which then amalgamated with other Global Union Federations in to form IndustriAll Global union in June 2012. Chitambo was elected to the position of executive member and co-chairperson of the IndustriAll Sub-Saharan Africa Region.
ZEWU also joined other international federations, including Building and Wood Workers International (BWI) and World Federation of Trade Union (WFTU). She also signed a bilateral agreement with ACV CSC BIE of Belgium with the interest of advancing the interest of the working class in 2014. She also secured a project with IGBCE of Germany for the purpose of training women. At the time of her death, she was a Board member for Zimbabwe Labour Centre where our members are being trained in labour issues.
ZEWU appreciates the legacy left by cde Chitambo. She will always be remember. May her soul rest in eternal peace!
Marti Chikuni
GENERAL SECRETARY - ZEWU
