Black mineworkers were involved in gold mining in Johannesburg from 1886, but were excluded from the white miner’s union for many years, and it was only in 1982 that the NUM was formed. The first leader of the National Union Mineworkers was Cyril Ramaphosa, under whom the union grew rapidly.
Andrew Lindsay was behind numerous union-related creative projects over the years. His first deep work with the unions was with DITSELA, a trade union education project.and then extensive work with the development agency of the NUM. Stephen Faulkner, a long-time union worker in Johannesburg, wrote as follows on the ‘Remembering Drew’ WhatsApp Group (1 Feb 2022): “I have records of 42 union projects of varying degrees over the years in which Andrew Lindsay played a pivotal role, including international trade union work!”
Several mosaic murals and installed on various walls at NUM (National Union of Mineworkers). The mosaics were created for NUM, with words on one mural stating: "DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF ALL WORKERS THAT HAVE DIED WORKING IN THE MINING, ENERGY, CONSTRUCTION SECTORS"
Black mineworkers were involved in gold mining in Johannesburg from 1886, but were excluded from the white miner’s union for many years, and it was only in 1982 that the NUM was formed. The first leader of the National Union Mineworkers was Cyril Ramaphosa, under whom the union grew rapidly.
Andrew Lindsay was behind numerous union-related creative projects over the years. His first deep work with the unions was with DITSELA, a trade union education project.and then extensive work with the development agency of the NUM. Stephen Faulkner, a long-time union worker in Johannesburg, wrote as follows on the ‘Remembering Drew’ WhatsApp Group (1 Feb 2022): “I have records of 42 union projects of varying degrees over the years in which Andrew Lindsay played a pivotal role, including international trade union work!”
A culmination of research gathered over many years, the Online Johannesburg Heritage Register is being launched on Nelson Mandela Day 18 July 2025.
Among the many heritage sites featured is Chancellor House, the downtown offices of Mandela and Tambo Attorneys in the 1950s. After having been vacant and shuttered for more than a decade, this iconic building is being revived and brought to life once again as offices for the Community Development Department, which oversees the City’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Services.
