JOHANNESBURG: Representatives of the families of mineworkers who lost their lives during the platinum mine strike in Marikana in 2012 say they are disappointed that four years later not much progress has been made by the government to honour those who lost their lives.
The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) president Joseph Mathunjwa, the families’ lawyer, advocate Dali Mpofu, and Bishop Jo Seoka told reporters yesterday efforts to get the government to compensate affected families – as well as requests for a memorial to be built with the names of those who died – had fallen on deaf ears.
They have also urged the government to make August 16 an annual public holiday.
The group was also concerned that the area around the koppie, where the miners spent most of their days during the strike, had not been fenced in so as to preserve it as a key part of history.
This morning mineworkers, Amcu members and the family representatives will hold a commemoration event at the Koppie where the 34 miners were shot by police during the platinum mine strike.
“After tomorrow we will be building up to the fifth commemoration and it would be disgraceful if we get to that event without any movement in terms of looking after the welfare of those who were affected,” said Mpofu.
Because Marikana was a turning point in the history of the country, Seoka said, the time had come for progress and genuine results to come to fruition.
“You are aware that the workers still live in squalid conditions and work under those conditions underground. If you ask what happened since 2012, very little has happened. I call it cosmetic change.”
He also attributed the shift in the ANC’s voter support base for the local government elections in the area around Marikana to the party’s failure to address the needs of the people.
Seoka said it was very clear people were angry and intended on sending a strong message to the ANC.
“I think the elections reflect the anger of the people. They are making a strong statement. We have been waiting for something to be done, but there is very little to show,” said Seoka.
Even though there has been little to show, Mathunjwa said that one positive outcome in the past four years was that his union has been able to change labour relations.
“A number of the workers have joined Amcu and there is no worker that is earning less than R8 000 – if they were still with NUM, they would still be earning R5 500.
“In the past three years these are the strides that were made to enhance the lives of the mineworkers in the platinum sector,” said Mathunjwa.
The Marikana Massacre Amcu Trust Fund has been established in honour of the late miners and will be launched during today’s proceedings, along with the names of those who will direct its operation.
While the fund was initiated in 2014, only Amcu has contributed to it with a R2 million donation, with no contribution from the government and Lonmin.
The group said the fund would be fully operational, with an extensive campaign to raise more money.
Another milestone for the miners will be the launch of the Trust Fund Housing Project, which has already seen a family of one worker benefit.
Mathunjwa could not confirm whether Lonmin workers would receive a day off to attend the commemoration, but said a Lonmin representative would attend.