Born in the Bonteheuwel area of Cape Town, Howard was the second-oldest of fourteen children.
From 1986, he worked at South African Container Depots (SACD), where he clandestinely operated as a shop steward for the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU).
He soon became the chair of the shop stewards' committee, and organised events such as long union meetings on Friday, intended to disrupt port activities and encourage employers to engage with the union's demands.
[1] Howard's success led him to win election as chair of the TGWU's Western Cape branch.
[2] He stood down from his union positions in 2009, when he became an advisor to Richard Baloyi, the Minister of Public Services.