EFF marks the 10th anniversary of the Marikana Massacre
16 August 2022
The Economic Freedom Fighter's (EFF) observes the 10th anniversary, of the most brutal onslaught on Africans in South Africa post-1994, the Marikana Massacre. On this day, 34-mineworkers, who engaged in protest action to demand a living wage of RI 2 500, were mercilessly shot down by a democratic State, in defence of the profits of Lonmin mine. The miners, who had on this day decided that they would leave the Koppie which was the centre of their strike action, were fenced in with barb wire, and trapped as police plotted to murder them.
The premeditated murder was confirmed, when several hearses arrived on the scene in Marikana, instead of ambulances. This remains the most chilling confirmation that the ANC-government had no intention of dispersing the protesting miners, but had decided that African blood must spill and there must be no survivors.
As the EFF we will never forget that it was Cyril Ramaphosa, who characterised mineworkers as "dastardly criminals", and called for concomitant action against them. This puppet of the mining-cartel, has been rewarded for his role in killing African people, with a position of being the President of South Africa. Cyril Ramaphosa has blood on his hands, and the blood of the workers of Marikana must haunt him to his grave. He must be removed because he sacrificed the lives of African people, to ensure that he becomes a President. The path to Ramaphosa's Presidency is bloody, and he continues his torturous ways even while in Office.
The Marikana Massacre has permanently scarred South Africa, and those who were on the receiving end of the blatant disregard for human life, leaving behind widows and children, who after 10-years have not seen justice.
We dip our banner in honour of the 34-miners, who were fearless, resilient and shook the perverted collaboration of the State and White Monopoly Capital to its core.
The EFF reaffirms it's commitment to fight for the nationalisation of mines. To ensure that the mineral wealth of Africa benefits the people of Africa. As an organisation born out of the grassroots demands for a political alternative, after the painful Marikana moment, we pledge to never forget our brothers, who died for this revolution for Economic Emancipation to be born. We call for justice for the workers of Marikana and compensation for the widows and children of those whose lives were lost on this painful day.
The mines across the platinum belt must build houses, schools, clinics and infrastructure, particularly in Marikana, to atone for the sins committed since 1652, of land theft and mineral exploitation in South Africa.
We reiterate our call for the 16th of August to be a Public Holiday, so that future generations may always know what happened on this day, and that a democratic state killed people in defence of profit.
The spirit of Mgcineni "Mambush" Noki must live in all of us, and we must never allow the intimidation of death which fell upon our African brothers 10-years ago, to make us fearful today. All progressive forces in South Africa must intensify the demand for justice for the Marikana Workers. Without this justice, the spirit of those whose lives were lost will never rest, and this nation will never know peace.
May we forever be inspired by the defiance of Marikana, and never betray the generational mission they formed part of, of fighting for dignity and the wealth of their forefathers.
Long Live the Spirit of Marikana!
Issued by Sinawo Thambo, National Spokesperson, EFF, 16 August 2022
