Industrial and Commercial Workers Union is founded under Clements Kadalie

Date: 7 Jan 1919
Updated: 6 Jan 2020

The Industrial and Commercial Union later renamed the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) was founded by Clements Kadalie, a young Nyassalander who spoke no Black South African language but used English to spread the message of worker unity. Formed in the stormy years after World War I with a membership of only twenty-four, the Industrial and Commercial Union made its first powerful impact when the Cape Town dock workers went on strike. From small beginnings as a union of dock workers it quickly spread across the country, enrolling about 100,000 members, and pushed the more conservative African National Congress (ANC) into the background during the 1920s. This provoked a serious backlash by the White government and politicians, who feared a national uprising and caused them to proceed carefully in their relations with the ICU.

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How we know this

01Karis, T. & Carter, G.M. (eds.) (1973). From Protest to Challenge: a documentary history of African politics in South Africa. Stanford: Hoover Institution, v. 1, p.154-155.
02Potgieter, D.J. et al. (eds) (1970). Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa, Cape Town: NASOU, v. 1, p. 60.
03Reader's Digest. (1988). Illustrated History of South Africa: the real story, New York: Reader's Digest Association, pp. 310; 320.

Last updated · 6 Jan 2020

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Industrial and Commercial Workers Union is founded under Clements Kadalie. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011406

South African History Online (2011) 'Industrial and Commercial Workers Union is founded under Clements Kadalie', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011406 (Accessed: 17 August 2026).

South African History Online, Industrial and Commercial Workers Union is founded under Clements Kadalie [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011406, (accessed 17 August 2026).

"Industrial and Commercial Workers Union is founded under Clements Kadalie." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011406. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

South African History Online. "Industrial and Commercial Workers Union is founded under Clements Kadalie." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011406.