The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) successfully convened its Central Committee Meeting from 29 June to 1 July 2026 under the theme, “Consolidate Worker Control to Build a Road Map to Socialism.” More than 400 leaders and members from the union's 11 regions gathered to deliberate on key organisational, national and international issues affecting workers and the labour movement. The meeting concluded with the unanimous adoption of the Central Committee Declaration, reaffirming the union's commitment to defending workers' rights, strengthening organisational unity, advancing social and economic justice, and deepening international solidarity.

Delegates held extensive discussions on the political and socio-economic challenges confronting South Africa, including high unemployment, particularly among young people, and the complexities surrounding migration. They reaffirmed the need for progressive, worker-centred solutions that promote social cohesion, protect the rights of all workers and reject attempts to divide the working class. The meeting also stressed the importance of unity across the labour movement to confront economic inequality, job losses, unsafe working conditions and attacks on collective bargaining, while NUM leaders called for stronger internal unity, direct engagement with members and continued organisational growth.

A highlight of the meeting was a recorded solidarity message from the Building and Wood Workers' International (BWI), delivered by its Regional Representative for Africa and the Middle East. BWI conveyed fraternal greetings to the NUM Central Committee, commended the union's continued leadership in defending workers' rights and advancing social justice, and reaffirmed its solidarity with the NUM and its members. The message also underscored the importance of global trade union unity in responding to precarious employment, inequality, climate change, occupational health and safety risks, and attacks on trade union freedoms.

By adopting the Central Committee Declaration, delegates reaffirmed the NUM's determination to build a strong, democratic and militant organisation capable of defending workers in the mining, construction, energy and metal sectors, while working with progressive allies at home and abroad to advance decent work, equality, social justice and a more inclusive society.