The Marikana massacre was a tragic event that occurred on 16 August 2012, when 34 striking mineworkers were killed by the South African Police Service at the Lonmin platinum mine near Rustenburg. The miners were demanding a wage increase and better living and working conditions. At the time, Ramaphosa was a non executive director at Lonmin and was accused of using inflammatory language to urge the police to take action against the strikers. He was later cleared of any wrongdoing by the Farlam Commission, which investigated the incident.
Ramaphosa, who became the president of South Africa in 2018, has repeatedly expressed his regret and sorrow for the Marikana massacre and has promised to visit the area and apologize to the widows and families of the deceased. However, he has not yet fulfilled his promise, despite making it at Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s funeral in 2018. He has faced criticism from various groups, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), who have questioned his sincerity and credibility. Ramaphosa has said that he is committed to visiting Marikana and that he is waiting for the right time and conditions to do so.
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https://twitter.com/AfricaisBlack/status/1691542369114431489?s=19
The Marikana massacre remains a controversial and painful topic in South Africa’s history and politics. It has exposed the deep inequalities and injustices that persist in the country’s mining sector and society at large. It has also challenged the role and responsibility of the government, the police, the unions, and the corporations in ensuring the rights and dignity of workers and citizens. The Marikana massacre is not only a matter of accountability and apology, but also of healing and reconciliation.
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