B.F Boshielo 25 - 04 - 06

 

Passing of BF Boshielo

It is with great sadness that COSATU and NUMSA announce the death of Comrade Frank (BF) Boshielo. He passed away during the early hours of 22 April 2006. He survived a major stroke two years ago and has been sick since then.

BF Boshielo was a NUMSA stalwart, who fought in almost all the workers' battles in Mpumalanga. He played a central role in the introduction into the region of first MAWU (one of the unions that merged to form NUMSA), then NUMSA. Residing in Highveld Steel's hostel, he was instrumental in recruiting workers not just from his own workplace but other plants around as well. He worked tirelessly and fearlessly to build solid organisation in a workplace and an area that was wracked with racism and where putting your head above the rest could get you fired.

Boshielo served as a NUMSA shop steward, an organiser for the union and then the first regional secretary for the new Highveld region (now called Mpumalanga).

In recognition of his long years of service to NUMSA, the Union's Mpumalanga region named its new office building after him.

Together with JJ Mabena, Bheki Ntshalintshali, Joe Nkosi, Crosby Moni, Gwede Mantashe, Leslie Nhlapo and many more, BF Boshielo was one of the founders of COSATU in Mpumalanga.

There will be a memorial service on 26 April in Witbank, at the Thanduxolo Special School, opposite the Town Council building, starting at 16h00.

The funeral service will be held on 28 April, starting at 7h00 at Masanteng, which is + 30 km from Groblersdal, + 10 km from Leeufontein, opposite the Frank Boshielo Dam, leaving for the cemetery at 9h00.

May his soul rest in peace.

For further information please phone Eric Linda, NUMSA Regional Secretary, on 013 656 6732/3 or 083 626 6358