The launch of the South Africa Country Project, held in Johannesburg from 9 to 12 March 2026, marked a significant milestone in politically anchoring and strategically initiating a transformative 2026 implementation cycle. The mission brought together a delegation from Union-to-Union (UtoU), represented by General Secretary Lennart Reinius and Programme Officer Reuben Wågman; the Swedish Electricians' Union (SEF), represented by Swedish affiliate Jonas Eriksson; the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) regional staff; and its two affiliates, the National Mineworkers Union (NUM) and the Building Construction and Allied Workers Union (BCAWU).

The engagements explored the shifting political, economic, and labour landscape defining South Africa and confirmed the joint project objectives to be pursued in conjunction with the global union federations Public Services International (PSI) and the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Associations (IUF). Overall, the project is geared toward strengthening union structures, functions, and capacity, while actively promoting women and youth into leadership roles and participation. We finalized governance and financial arrangemen efficient administrative processes.

In addition to the discussions, BWI, NUM, UtoU, and SEF conducted a site visit to the AfriSam Roodepoort Cement Plant. The delegation took note of the signed collective bargaining agreement between NUM and company management, as well as ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions in line with government targets. The visit was particularly impressive, offering a firsthand look at the sophisticated operations of one of the region’s oldest and most significant industrial hubs. Beyond the technical aspects, the engagement highlighted a mature and robust working relationship between NUM and management. This collaborative spirit served as a practical testament to the project’s core values of social dialogue and mutual respect, demonstrating that strong union-employer relations are not only possible but essential for industrial stability.

The week-long engagement concluded with a delegation wrap-up and a final summary of decisions, transitioning the project from a strategic framework into an active operational reality. These closing sessions confirmed responsibilities and timelines for the months ahead.

With the formal launch set for the final week of March through April 2026, the project now moves forward with full administrative and political alignment, ready to deliver measurable results for workers across South Africa’s construction and related sectors through a unified, multi-sectoral approach.