South Africa marks Marikana massacre anniversary with calls for better conditions

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - A mining trade union in South Africa called on mining executives Monday to consider bettering the plight of workers as the country commemorates nine years after 34 mineworkers were brutally gunned down by police at the Lonmin platinum mine in North West province.

On Aug. 16, 2012, police opened fire on hundreds of mineworkers in the small mining town of Marikana while they were striking to demand a monthly minimum wage of 12,500 South African rand ($842) from their employer, British mining giant Lonmin. They also wanted better living conditions.

Ten people were also killed a week prior to the strike, bringing the total number of those who lost their lives in Marikana to 44. More than 70 others were injured during the incident, which sparked national outrage since it was broadcast live on television.

“The Marikina massacre was a direct attack on the vision of economic emancipation and a living wage – it was a symbolic killing of the struggle of mine workers,” Joseph Mathunjwa, president of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), said at the Marikana memorial lecture in Johannesburg on Monday.

He said mineworkers continue to earn “peanuts” as top executives take home millions in bonuses and salaries.

“South Africa is one of the most unequal societies in the world. The monthly pension fund contributions of some executives is what a rock drill operator earns for a full year,” said Mathunjwa, whose association has been at the forefront of advocating for miners’ rights.

He said it was sad that an executive of one gold mining company takes home 150 million rand (over $10 million) in bonuses per annum but still has the audacity to offer only 250 rand ($17) for wage negotiations in the gold sector for the year 2021.

“Today, the platinum price is over $1,024 per ounce [around 15,200 rand]. Mineworkers were demanding by then (2012) a minimum wage of 12,500 rand [around $1,500 at the time]. How many ounces do these workers produce per day, week, month or year?’’ Mathunjwa said.

He said they produce thousands of ounces of platinum but yet are paid less than one ounce per month in wages.

“Mining communities continue to remain poor, yet they have vast mineral resources around them, and yet the condition of workers is still bad,” he said, calling on the government to ensure that companies that apply for mining licenses are required to first build schools, hospitals and universities and offer training and jobs in communities where they intend to operate.

“We should remember as South Africans, especially Blacks, that we are on our own. Foreign direct investment directors are here to make money. Africa has been raped for its minerals. It’s not a generational curse. We should wake up!’’ he said.

Mathunjwa said that during their previous Marikana commemoration in 2016, they marched to the seat of government in Pretoria and suggested that 60% of South Africa’s mineral resources should be exported and the remaining 40% remain home for local beneficiation.

He said exporting all mineral resources meant that the country was exporting its jobs to the West, in turn leaving its people unemployed.

“Unemployment in South Africa is by design. To address it, economic policies in the country must be radically transformed. Our resources are plundered due to our open economic policies, and we can’t protect local industries as long as we still have such policies,” he added.