Social movement learning: COSATU shop stewards constructing knowledge through social activism

Abstract

This study sought to investigate how shop stewards within Cosatu Western Cape construct knowledge through social activism. The study employed a qualitative research design, using a multiple case study method, where shop stewards and activists were invited to offer their narrative accounts of what type of knowledge is constructed in Cosatu as a social movement. Secondly, the study investigated how shop stewards construct knowledge within this movement and what shop stewards’ lived experiences are while constructing this knowledge. Purposive sampling was used to select participants for this study and thematic analysis was performed to interpret the collected data. Working through a social constructivist paradigm lens, that used Community of Practice as its theoretical framework revealed interesting outcomes within this study. These results highlighted important insights into how shop stewards understand the importance of their role within this social movement and why they prefer to construct knowledge in and through Cosatu. It also highlighted the types of learning that occur and how this learning is absorbed through lived experiences. The most significant outcome of this study was that knowledge construction by shop stewards does indeed take place on various levels and in different settings within Cosatu. Shop stewards within this federation indeed view Cosatu as a social movement due to the varied issues that they address within the labour, political, health and education sectors. It is within this social movement space that shop stewards feel a sense of belonging and nurturing when it comes to learning within this social movement. The results of this study may inform, among other possibilities, the modification of the existing educational programmes provided by Cosatu and the formal recognition of shop stewards' roles and responsibilities within this learning space: To invest in further research, collaborating and exchanging knowledge across social movements while investing in a formalised mentorship programme provided by veteran shop stewards.