The federation was established on 27 August 1972, on the initiative of the South African Students' Organisation.
It argued for an independent trade union movement of and led by black workers.
[1][2][3] Membership of BAWU's affiliated unions grew from 2,000 in 1974 to 6,000 in 1976, but then struggled as most of its leaders were banned in 1977.
In 1978, many members in Durban and East London split to form the South African Allied Workers' Union.
[2][3] Despite the splits, BAWU claimed 51,000 members in 1981, organised in fifteen affiliates:[2] The federation moved into a loose alliance with the Inkatha Freedom Party, and in 1986 it was replaced by the United Workers' Union of South Africa.