The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) mourns the passing of comrade Joe Kokela, the General Secretary of the Federation’s banking and financial sector affiliate, the South African Society of Bank Officials (SASBO). COSATU shares its sincere condolences with his family, friends, comrades and SASBO.
Comrade Joe was a tireless advocate for workers’ rights and a veteran of SASBO and the Federation. He wore his dedication, wisdom and passion for trade unionism with pride.
Cde. Joe will be remembered with his leadership collective for leading SASBO through challenging times when digitisation in the banking industry led to the closure of numerous bank branches and the retrenchment of thousands of workers. With Kokela and SASBO’s team at the helm, our affiliate did not take the situation laying down but waged a brave fight, planned an historic nationwide strike for the sector which was only thwarted by a Labour Court interdict which was subsequently overturned.
During his time, SASBO helped push various financial institutions to improve and set minimum salaries for their lowest paid employees in anticipation and in reaction to the National Minimum Wage and the Companies Amendment Act, which compels listed companies and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to disclose their financial reports to workers and the wage gap between their highest and lowest paid directors and employees to their shareholders.
His legacy will continue to inspire and motivate SASBO and COSATU. The Federation will continue to work with the leadership and members of SASBO to build, strengthen, grow and unite this tried and tested Affiliate and to defend and uplift the working and living conditions of all financial and banking sector workers and their families.
A funeral service for comrade Joe will be held at the AFM Hilltop Restoration Centre, Block K, Soshanguve, starting at 7am to 9am, followed by the burial at Zandfontein Cemetery.
Rest in peace comrade Joe. Hambe kahle nobhala.
Issued by COSATU
Zanele Sabela (COSATU National Spokesperson)
Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639
Email: zan…@cosatu.org.za
