The National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) bids farewell to ZCTU Secretary General Wellington Taylor Chibebe who was unanimously elected to the position of Deputy Secretary General of the global trade union body International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) General Council in Brussels.
He is due to take up the post in August this year. Cde Chibebe, a firebrand trade union activist who took over as Secretary General for the labour union, ZCTU in 1999 leading it with distinction and thus his appointment to the ITUC. He has received global awards for his outstanding commitment towards the welfare and rights of workers.
The veteran trade unionist and fierce -critic of ZANU PF’s misrule faced brutal beatings, arrests as he participated in the struggles for the emancipation of the working class people’s rights and for the democratisation of Zimbabwe.
The multi-talented union leader is a powerful orator; gifted singer who mesmerises crowds at most gatherings he addresses with his captivating, inspiring songs and oratory skills.
A key figure who participated in the formation of the National Constitutional Assembly in 1997, a vibrant movement which started advocating and pressurising the government for the writing of a new democratic and people driven constitution. Since then he has remain a permanent member in the NCA National Taskforce representing ZCTU up until this day.
As the NCA we take this opportunity to salute the revolutionary leadership exhibited by Cde Chibebe, his President Lovemore Matombo and the entire ZCTU leadership for upholding the resolutions of the National Working People’s Convention of 1999 on the issue of the writing of the country’s constitution.
That resolution is that the writing of the constitution should not be led by politicians but an independent commission comprising appointed at an all stakeholders conference, a message he consistently preached whenever given the opportunity to talk about constitutional matters.
He was one of the pillars of the Take Charge Campaign, a campaign launched by the NCA, ZCTU and ZINASU in resisting the current constitutional making exercise being done by the select committee of parliamentarians.
Though he is leaving the country we do hope that Cde Chibebe would continue the struggle of the working class people that is better working conditions, good remuneration and all in all a democratic society.
Your works will surely be missed here at the NCA, the ZCTU and the rest of the nation Zimbabwe, continue raising the flag of Zimbabwe and remain a shining star.
Madock Chivasa, NCA National Spokesperson
