Mary Malete

Mary Malete was the president of the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) and the first president of the South African Confederation of Trade Unions (SACOTU). She served on various boards, including the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), LAMOSA (Land Access Movement of South Africa) and the Job Creation Trust.

Malete grew up in Lady Selbourne, Pretoria West. Her father, Jerry Molokwane, was a herdsman in Romtshinyadi in Balobedu, Limpopo and a third-generation descendent of the Modjadji, the Queen Rainmaker. Malete’s mother, Johanna Shabangu, was a garment worker in Johannesburg and belonged to the garment workers union.

At the age of 18, she was convinced by a family member to pursue nursing. From 1959, she trained in general nursing at Glen Cowie Mission Hospital and the Pretoria General Hospital (now the Pretoria Academic Hospital), and midwifery at Baragwanath Hospital, Soweto. She completed various nursing courses and diplomas, culminating in her BCur Degree from the University of South Africa. In 1961,  Malete worked at the Non-European hospital in Johannesburg (now the Hillbrow Hospital). Through her dedication and hard work, she was promoted from senior sister to senior matron, and then as the nursing service manager, second in chief at Hillbrow Hospital.

Mary joined the Health and Other Services Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (HOSPERSA), a hospital workers' trade union. Under the leadership of Frank Sexwale, the chairperson, Malete took over the presidency portfolio of the Black HOSPERSA Congress, which later merged with their white counterparts. She has served as the president of the Catholic Nurses Guild in southern Africa and worked for the Catholic Healthcare Association as a Director. Mary Malete has significantly contributed to this country's labour movement.