[Civsoc-mw] Stewart Nkolokosa, Veteran Unionist and Freedom Fighter

[Paliani]

2018 WORKERS’ (MAY) DAY SUPPLEMENT: Stewart Nkolokosa, Veteran Trade Unionist and Freedom Fighter!

One of the illuminating accounts in the history of Malawi that is seldom talked about and appreciated accordingly even within the labour movement, is the active and vibrant participation of workers and trade unionists in the struggles for freedom, human rights and political reforms both during the colonial regime and the one-party dictatorship.


Among these trade unionists who were jailed along side other nationalists following the declaration of the state of emergency, was Comrade Stewart Nkolokosa.

In June 1956, Comrade Stewart Nkolokosa was one of the founding fathers of the fore-runner of Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU) called the Trade Union Congress of Nyasaland (TUCN).

Following the declaration of a state of emergency in March 1959, Comrade Stewart Nkolokosa was among a few unionists who were arrested on suspicion that as trade union leaders they had agitated the workers to rise against the colonial government in support of the nationalist cause.

He was sent to Kanjedza prison where he met with other nationalists such as Willie Chokani, Bwanausi brothers, David Rubadiri among others.
 In 1962, Comrade Stewart Nkolokosa became the President of Nyasaland Trade Union Congress (NTUC). The following year at a congress, he was elected the Secretary General of NTUC.In 1964, a delegation of trade unionists led by the then Secretary General of Nyasaland Trade Union Congress Comrade Stewart Nkolokosa met one of the ex-ministers-Masauko Chipembere at his residence in Blantyre to present a trade union statement in support of their cause.
For this action, he was declared the enemy of the state and had to flee to exile.
For a full story, visit this link:http://www.aihnews.com/2018-workers-may-day-supplement-stewart-nkolokosa-veteran-trade-unionist-and-freedom-fighter/
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