Unions representing black workers were not permitted to affiliate to the Trade Union Council of South Africa (TUCSA), as in order to register with the Government of South Africa, it only admitted unions representing white and "coloured" workers.
Late in 1959, they decided to form their own federation, FOFATUSA.
[1][2] FOFATUSA was linked with the Pan-African Congress, and also affiliated to the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, which funded many of its activities.
[4] That year, TUCSA permitted unions of black workers to affiliate, and FOFATUSA declined.
It was dissolved in 1966, with its remaining affiliates transferring to TUCSA.