Why am I a shop steward? A case of South African Shop stewards.

The article investigates the motivations behind South African employees becoming shop stewards—trade union representatives—28 years after the end of apartheid, focusing on members from the National Education, Health, and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). Using qualitative interviews, the study identifies three main reasons: altruistic representation of fellow employees, holding employers accountable for workplace injustices, and pursuing personal political or career ambitions. The findings highlight a division between selfless shop stewards, who seek workplace harmony and justice, and selfish ones, who use the role for power or advancement, reflecting the enduring socio-political legacy of apartheid in employment relations. The article suggests trade unions should promote selfless stewardship through careful selection and training to enhance workplace peace and effective representation.