As the 12-year anniversary of the Marikana massacre approaches, civil bodies are still seeking accountability for the tragedy.
To mourn the 12-year anniversary of the Marikana massacre, The Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI) hosted a commemorative event at the Forge in Braamfontein; where sentiments of lingering injustice and grief came to the forefront.
On August 16, 2012, 34 miners were shot dead in Marikana by state security in what was the deadliest use of force by state security since the Soweto Uprising in 1976. While August 16 was the deadliest day, casualties linked to the strike started on August 13.
Twelve years later, SERI are reviving the call of justice for Marikana and the families haunted by the tragedy.
The event began with performances by jazz pianist and singer Yonela Mnana, and poet Makhafula Vilakazi to mourn the lives lost on August 12. “What is love? Is it free or is it money?” crooned Vilakazi over Mnana’s somber chords.
This was followed by a panel discussion with a panelists Prof. Julian Brown of Wits’ political department (and author of ‘Marikana: A People’s History’), activist Koketso Moeti and SERI attorney Asenati Tukela, who leads the case of the deceased miners’ families.
In the discussion, the panelists lambasted a lack of accountability on the state’s behalf, as no one involved in the massacre has been prosecuted to date. “There are certain individuals who still need to face the music for Marikana!” said Tukela.
“[The states response to the massacre] was abysmal in the immediate aftermath and 12 years after. They’ve done almost done nothing!” added Prof Brown.
In the eyes of Tukela, this lack of justice has translated into unresolved grief which continues to haunt the families, who lost more than just breadwinners but fathers, brothers, sons and husbands.
“I’d describe my reflections [on the Marikana case] through pain and suffering. Not only were fathers and husbands killed. There was significant destruction of the family [unit]”.
Tukela emphasized the importance of highlighting the emotional damage the victims’ families still live with when discussing the Marikana tragedy- they carry the scars of August 12 more than anyone else.
The panel concluded with a discussion of the lessons learnt from Marikana and why it is important to keep the memory of Marikana alive. The tragedy symbolizes the repercussions of when private capital and state security collude and the failures of policing in South Africa.
“We cannot allow private wealth and state security to collude for nothing but profit. We’ve seen the danger of this in Marikana,” said Tukela.
Moeti further added that Marikana is a testament to the reality of labour exploitation in South Africa. “Marikana is not just a call for justice for Marikana but all worker exploitation in South Africa. It is also a reminder of that exploitation.”
However, she does not feel as if any lesson has been learnt from Marikana in this regard, “In 2024 we saw an opposition party [The DA], now part of the coalition government, call for the scrapping of minimum wage. The lesson has not been learnt.”
Friday will mark 12 years since the Marikana massacre. SERI plan to hold further commemorative events.
FEATURED IMAGE: Panelists discuss Marikana and reflect on its lessons. Photo: Kabir Jugram
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