By Comrade Steve Faulkner
A few days ago, a close friend, Kingsley Ofei-Nkansah passed away in Accra very unexpectedly. He will be known to so many in the trade union movement and beyond. I write even as my eyes are stinging.
I suppose it shouldn’t really come as a surprise when you reach what is probably the last decade of your life, that one by one, those who travelled with you should start to tumble off this mortal coil. At times like these, it seems, in the culture I have largely inhabited, that we mostly remain unprepared for what is after all, entirely inevitable, (if not always predictable). We know that none of us last forever. But still we are left bereft. We have loved and so we grieve.
The late Kingsley with Cde Peter Coret, formerly of the Dutch National Trade Union Federation (FNV)
Kingsley was a member of an active friendship circle that I had been a part of with three others for the last 35+ years. The five of us first met in the 80’s drawn from Ghana, Nigeria, The Netherlands/Kenya and the UK/South Africa. We were all deeply committed trade union activists and socialists. We wanted to change the world and still do!
Over the years we forged what was to be an unshakeable friendship through some very tough times indeed, both personal and political.
At various times individual members of the group faced unrelenting victimisation for their refusal to condone corruption in the workers movement, prolonged imprisonment for holding democratic socialist views, a grave illness that would have finished many others, false and poisonous accusations that were an assault on personal integrity, and much more besides. Despite this, I am deeply proud to report that each one has been entirely vindicated.
Members of the group also went through profound changes in their personal lives too, but the group held firm, and at various times, held each of us.
Despite all of these challenges, when we gathered, as we did through thick and thin, over decades, and often in different parts of the globe, there was serious talk about the state of the world, the working class struggle, war and peace. But there was also a rallying to support each of us when faced with difficulties at work or at home. We found time to talk about our children, relationships, health issues, the loss of mutual and loved friends and comrades and much more besides. We shared music, poetry, books, articles, photos. We also often (very often) laughed until our sides ached. Central to this group was our friend who has just passed.
The late Kingsley lived an active life
Kingsley Ofei-Nkansah was a proud Ghanaian and internationalist. Super bright and blessed with an unstoppable curiosity. Far ahead of most when it came to thinking about future strategies for the workers movement, the crisis in the environment, the need to live by the principles we espouse, how the personal and the political were inseparable. He led by example. He could have been successful in one of many fields. He could have entered a highly paid profession, or moved into government. Instead he consciously joined the workers movement, and he was deeply valued. He rose up the ranks of the trade union movement in a sector that had been consistently marginalised, that suffered extreme exploitation. He came in as a young, energetic researcher and organiser, but not once did he seek to exploit his academic qualifications to intimidate workers, or belittle their lived experience. On the contrary, I saw with my own eyes how he was capable of carefully listening to and empowering workers by engaging them as equals, with deep respect and rarely without good humoured encouragement.
He eventually became the General Secretary of the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU). And working amongst some of the most oppressed workers did not dampen his enthusiasm. If anything, it ignited in him a deeper commitment to human liberation and dignity. Always preferring to work collaboratively, he helped build GAWU into one of the most effective agricultural workers unions on the Continent, if not beyond. And like all effective worker leaders, he could also be tough when needed, as many employers and government officials will testify. He was no pushover!
I am sure GAWU and the Ghana TUC and many others will honour our comrade and provide more evidence of his unwavering commitment to the cause of the oppressed. But right now, in this moment, I would like to remember him here, first and foremost as a friend.
Kingsley was quite a few years younger than me although we were both ‘grey panthers’ and so his passing is particularly hard to take. We all expected more of him in our lives. Our close group of friends are still in a state of shock. That someone amongst us who was so vital, so full of enthusiasm for life, so creative and yet so modest could be snatched away so quickly and without warning is almost unfathomable. But we all know, as do his beloved circle of family and friends, that we will come to terms with his passing. We will remember his beguiling eccentricities and infectious laughter, his love of the botanical and political, the value he put on listening and giving voice to those rarely heard.
Farewell young friend. Hamba Kahle Kingsley. Go well our brother. There will always be a space for you in our circle and our hearts. We send love and condolences to your wife Anna and family, and especially your beloved children, your pride and joy. We are sending love to all the heartsore.
It has been an absolute honour to be regarded as your friend and comrade. Oh to hug you one more time dear comrade.
The author currently lives in Johannesburg, South Africa
