The document argues that the marikana commission report is a fair and balanced. The south african states official inquiry into the killing of 34 striking miners in 2012 has provoked shock and disbelief, rehad desai. The early press coverage of the marikana massacre provides a case study of how reporting can become systemmaintaining, by failing to take workers voices seriously. Violence erupts at lonmins marikana mine sparked by a protest by 3,000 rockdrill operators over wages. The events at lonmin mine in marikana in the north west province were a tragic stain on the history of post apartheid south africa. The marikana mine killings may show that south africas problems are no longer specific to the apartheid legacy, but about more global issues of poverty and inequality. This article examines the context in which the massacre occurred, the manner in which it was policed, and draws conclusions. The shootings have been described as a massacre in the south african media and have been compared to the sharpeville massacre in 1960. The killings on the 16th august the marikana massacre were preceded by a number of other.
In these strikes, miners managed to secure higher pay outside of the established collective bargaining system. Aug 15, 20 marikana lies on south africas platinum belt, where the worlds richest deposits of the metal are located. The world was shocked by tv images last week of striking south african miners being mowed down by. A historical overview of the labour unrest in the mining sector in south africa chitja twala university of the free state, south africa introduction and historical background this article is aimed at explaining and interpreting the events, causes, and the aftermath of the.
On august, three days before the massacre, he offered a chilling premonition about marikana. Three gamechangers led to the deaths of 34 striking miners at the hands of police on august 16 2012, the farlam commission of inquiry into the marikana disaster has heard. Timeline of the marikana massacre 2012 20 the events at lonmin mine in marikana in the north west province were a tragic stain on the history of post apartheid south africa. On the surface this appeared to be a noble gesture that could be celebrated as the middleclass public finally seeing things from the workingclass perspective. Lonmin mining massacre shocks investors with flashback to apartheid south africa violent clashes at lonmins marikana platinum mine, brutally.
Documentary on marikana massacre in 2012 during strike at lonmin mines. Marikana is the companys biggest south african mine. The marikana massacre, the rule of law and south africas. Colonial tropes and the media coverage of the marikana massacre. On 21 august, defense minister nosiviwe noluthando. Nkepile mabuse reports on the legacy of a massacre of striking miners shot dead by south african police during a protest. This silencing of workers voices contributed to the disempowerment of the one social force capable of disrupting exploitation in one of the most strategic industries of the. On august 16 of last year, 34 miners on strike at the lonmin platinum mine in marikana, south africa, were killed by police. The national union of mineworkers num represented most of the workers at marikana. On monday, two north west crime scene experts led retired judge ian farlam and his team. The marikana massacre, which took place on 16 august 2012, was the most lethal use of force by south african security forces against civilians since 1976. The conflict has many dimensions but the chief factors that led to it are being analysed in a very thorough way by the media, numerous political entities and ngos. The end of south african exceptionalism the atlantic.
Marikana platinum mine, near rustenburg, south africa, employed thousands of workers, composed mostly of migrants working for low wages. The marikana commission of inquiry was set up to investigate the massacre of miners at marikana. Lonmin mining massacre shocks investors with flashback to. A report from south africa the marikana massacre an event that changed nation a bbc documentary on the massacre in marikana by police on striking mine workers, but takes a broader look on other issues as well. Oct 21, 2012 professor philip frankel, the author of the first book to emerge on the marikana massacre, mining and modern south africa, says the shootings that shocked the world have been 20 years in the making. Jan 23, 20 the marikana mine massacre and south africas volatile labor market. This analysis aims to expose or make visible the scopic regimes at work when interpreting the event. Today, april 29, in germany they are gathered for their annual shareholder meeting. A view from the mountain and a case to answer reports that analysis of news coverage in south africa after the massacre showed that the voices of the workers were simply not getting through. In february 20, a mozambican taxi driver died in the johannesburg. The marikana mine massacre and south africas volatile labor. The marikana massacre ruptured the south african sociopolitical horizon in august 2012.
We remember the marikana massacre 2012 20 consciousness. Farlam inquiry concludes marikana hills inspection 01 oct 2012 18. Pdf the marikana massacre ruptured the south african sociopolitical. From south africa to the united states, alternative facts proliferate. In telling their own storyso contrary to the official narrativeand sharing it widely, the affected families and communities regained ownership over the marikana massacre. South africa police lied to us, says marikana massacre. The marikana massacre in the words of the victims the. The fate of the families supplement on the anniversary of the marikana massacre by. Apr 30, 2016 basf is a huge corporate that gives lonmin a lot of business. This timeline chronicles the events that unfolded prior and post the 16 august marikana shooting and the subsequent aftermath.
The massacre of 34 people by police in marikana, south africa last week shocked not only locals, but the world. Marikana miners strike for better wages, 2012 global. Causes of the massacre and events leading up the massacre the events which lead to the marikana massacre were caused by violent, unprotected strikes at neighbouring mines. Facts not straight always, but thats from liberal bias. Professor philip frankel, the author of the first book to emerge on the marikana massacre, mining and modern south africa, says the shootings that. From those first live visuals of protesting mineworkers on nkaneng hill, and up until the moment police opened fire, enca takes you behindthelens. Their ability to bring the truth home has shaped south africas collective memory of the tragedy and disrupted the states attempt at a perverse historical.
Timeline of a massacre the bureau of investigative. President jacob zuma confirms that he will leave the. Three gamechangers that caused the marikana massacre. A memorial service has been held in south africa on wednesday to remember the victims of the marikana massacre five years ago, in which 34 miners who were on strike were shot and killed by police. The marikana massacre, which took place on 16 august 2012, was the most lethal use of force. The incident took place on the 25year anniversary of a. May 14, 20 on august, three days before the massacre, he offered a chilling premonition about marikana. Along with the usual shareholders who attend these meetings therell be some less familiar faces, two of the women made widows by the marikana massacre. Marikana the causes and wider implications and lessons for. On 16 august 2102, 34 striking miners were killed by the south african police service at a platinum mine in marikana in the northwest of south africa.
Nov 16, 2015 on 16 august 2102, 34 striking miners were killed by the south african police service at a platinum mine in marikana in the northwest of south africa. Marikana lies on south africas platinum belt, where the worlds richest deposits of the metal are located. This article examines the early press coverage of the police massacre of striking mineworkers in marikana, south africa, on the 16th of august 2012. Violence erupts at lonmins marikana mine sparked by a protest by 3,000 rock drill operators over wages. Zukile cristopher mbobo and sk makhanya met in april 2012 and discussed their issues. Within 15 months of the massacre, executives from britishowned lonmin, which counts the church of england commissioners and several uk borough councils among its shareholders, have not yet been called to appear before the official commission of inquiry into the massacre.
Sudafrikanischer bergarbeiterstreik 2012 wikipedia. Marikanas long wait for justice, nkululeko nene, iol news 14 august 2018. The august 2012 wildcat strike by workers at a lonmin mine in the marikana area in south africa resulted in a confrontation between miners and police leading to the killing of at least 47 miners. Basf is a huge corporate that gives lonmin a lot of business. The term massacre is therefore an appropriate term to use in relation to killings by members of the saps at marikana on the 16 th august 2012. Interactive timeline of key points in the lead up to the marikana massacre. The incident took place on the 25year anniversary of a nationwide south african miners strike. Aug 27, 2012 the marikana mine killings may show that south africas problems are no longer specific to the apartheid legacy, but about more global issues of poverty and inequality. Marikana massacre 16 august 2012 south african history online.
The press coverage of the august 2012 marikana shootings. The commissions first seating was on 1 october 2012, its final sitting was on 14 november 2014, and its report was submitted by president zuma on 31 march 2015. Together with russia, south africa produces 90% of the worlds platinum demand. Aug 17, 2012 lonmin mining massacre shocks investors with flashback to apartheid south africa violent clashes at lonmins marikana platinum mine, brutally put down by the police, have left another 34 dead and. Now is the time for displays of real solidarity with the miners and a full exposure of the truth behind this awful crime. It is still too early in the investigation to establish the real facts around this tragedy. Oct 01, 2014 miners shot down is a powerful but politically flawed documentary about the marikana massacre in august 2012 in which 34 platinum miners were shot dead and 78 wounded by south african police. The lengthy 2012 strike at amplats, following the marikana massacre, started in the same way.
The marikana mine massacre and south africas volatile labor market. According to the researchers of the book, nearly a third of those quoted in the press were business sources, 14% were managers and owners of mines. Three gamechangers that caused the marikana massacre the. Highlights of this document some of the highlights of this document include that. Nov 24, 2015 the reporting of the marikana massacre was characterised by embedded journalism, sensationalism and polarisation of views. This massacre highlights the degeneration of the dream of postapartheid south africa into a nightmare of capital, patronage, corruption, and repression. Summary and analysis of the report of the marikana commission. Miners shot down is a powerful but politically flawed documentary about the marikana massacre in august 2012 in which 34 platinum miners were shot dead and 78.
An exclusive documentary that attempts to shed light on the tragedy known as the marikana massacre. Summary and analysis of the report of the marikana. South african journalism and the marikana massacre. The reporting of the marikana massacre was characterised by embedded journalism, sensationalism and polarisation of views. Nov 19, 2012 nkepile mabuse reports on the legacy of a massacre of striking miners shot dead by south african police during a protest. The document argues that the term massacre is an appropriate term for describing the killings by the police of 34 strikers on the 16th of august paragraph 10.
The massacre recalled the kind of violence that was supposed to have disappeared with the end of apartheid in 1994. South africa the marikana massacre that changed nation bbc. Aug 16, 2016 the lengthy 2012 strike at amplats, following the marikana massacre, started in the same way. Where the facts before the commission constitute sufficient evidence. Through the lens the morning of august 16, 20 part i duration. Nov 12, 2014 three gamechangers led to the deaths of 34 striking miners at the hands of police on august 16 2012, the farlam commission of inquiry into the marikana disaster has heard. This thesis examines the press narrative of the marikana strike and the workers. South africa remembers marikana miners killed by police. Marikana massacre 16 august 2012 south african history. Who owns the story of south africas marikana massacre. The country is divided as to whether business tycoon cyril ramaphosa committed the ultimate betrayal of the workers on whose shoulders he rose. Aug 16, 2012 the marikana commission of inquiry was set up to investigate the massacre of miners at marikana.
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