District Six Museum Vuselela Ons Luister

A Story of Defiance

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This podcast revolves around John Ernstzen, a ‘deep trade unionist from the university of the workers’ who spent many of his early years in District Six and in Warwick Street, Woodstock.

In the 1980s, John played a major role in unifying the Cape Town Municipal Worker’s Association and its national counterpart - work which was crucial to the formation of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU).

You will hear his stories of defiance and his motivation for spending his life fighting for the betterment of the people.

Guest: John Henry Ernstzen
Story and narration: Lisa Hendricks
Featuring: Ayanda Mpono
Sound Engineer: Ivor Solomons
Music by Zolani Mfihlo

The oral history programme is funded by the Mellon Foundation.
14 Apr 2023 English South Africa History · Documentary

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