Emma Mashinini was born on August 21, 1929 and died on July 10, 2017.

She was a South African trade unionist and political leader.

She was living in Johannesburg, her family was forcibly displaced several times during her childhood.

Mashinini started working at age 14 and soon became a union organiser at her garment factory.

Mashinini became active with the African National Congress (ANC) in 1956.

She served for 12 years on the executive board of the National Union of Clothing Workers (NUCW) and founded the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) in 1975.

Mashinini was arrested and detained without charges for six months in 1981–82.

She played several important roles in the transition to ANC rule in the 1980s and 1990s.

Emma Mashinini passed away at 87 years old.