We were expecting 60 shop stewards but only 40 attended. This is good looking at the vast area of the Eastern Free State and that its local office is far away from its members.
The only difference here compared to other locals in Johannesburg was that here I conducted the course in Sesotho. Most of the shop stewards were from rural areas like QwaQwa and they battled to read the English but they understood Numsa as their organisation and they like it a lot.
Participation by shop stewards was good and attendance was consistent unlike other locals where I conducted the workshop. This was despite the fact that some were travelling long distances every morning to and from the workshop.
At the assessment on the final day, comrades said presentation was excellent and even though the booklet is written in English they will be able to apply it because it is simplified.
They felt that the course had empowered them and they were confident that they will handle cases more effectively at their workplace in the future.
They made a special appeal for another workshop next year to cover grievance procedure and other labour laws.
Since the workshop, two comrades have phoned me reporting good results from the course. The one said that they have managed to negotiate with their employer and have established an employment equity forum.
The other, that he won the case of a member at appeal level. They both thanked Numsa for empowering them.