Convenient Amnesia

South Africans are consistently inconsistent. An innocuous statement, I know, but one I repeat often as the phenomenon manifests itself daily. On this day, the 16th of August, we commemorate the lives lost at the hands of the so-called “Black government” in the mining town of Marikana in the North West province of South Africa. Instead of condemning and demanding the prosecution of all those involved in the Marikana Massacre, some are more inclined to paint their enemies/rivals as the solitary villain, while exonerating their favourites of any culpability in this most gruesome chapter of post- apartheid South African history. One of these days someone must guide me through the thought process that results in Cyril Ramaphosa, who was not even in government at the time, being held solely responsible for what happened in Marikana; while Jacob Zuma, who was the head of state, is somehow absolved. A most astonishing display of mental gymnastics…

Note: Objective neutrality is key.

During the heated internal contestations for control of the ANC in 2007, there were rumblings here and there from Zuma as well as his allies pertaining to the nationalisation of mines, banks and other strategic sectors of the South African economy. On the back of these and other fork-tongued promises, Jacob Zuma would emerge victorious in the battle for the ANC presidency by a landslide, and was subsequently inaugurated as state president on 9 May 2009. The murmurings about nationalisation continued immediately following his election, although nothing concrete ever came of it. At the ANC’s National General Council of 2010, it started to become clear that Zuma, like his predecessors, intended to moonwalk away from all that talk of nationalisation and socialist policies all the way to the right wing of free markets, de-regulation and more neoliberal mumbo jumbo. By 2012 it was routine for ANC heavyweights ranging from ministers (current & former) to members of the NEC (the highest decision making structure between Elective Conferences of ANC), led by their president of course, to “allay the fears” of the markets by renouncing all talk of nationalisation, “nationalisation is not ANC policy” was the soundtrack of sellouts — but fate however is awash with irony.

The protracted strikes would hit the platinum belt in 2012, which is when things really came to a head, and the internal contradictions of the aptly named “broad-church party” who speak out of both sides of their mouths became more evident. According to data from the Department of Labour more than 100 000 workers participated in the various platinum sector strikes of 2012, which began that January at the Implala Platinum mines in Rustenburg. The sporadic strikes spread throughout the platinum mining sector and into most other sectors, affecting most if not all mining houses including but not limited to Anglo American Platinum, AngloGold Ashanti, Kumba Iron Ore and Lonmin to name a few. Throughout the destruction and devastation left in the wake of these strikes, Zuma (and other ANC heavyweights) were unmoved, going as far as increasing the volume on the sellout soundtrack and putting that banger on three-repeat! Jacob Zuma even doubled-down on the ANC’s commitments to appease former colonisers, who underwent a successful rebrand post ‘94 and are now referred to as investors. When quizzed about the uncertainty surrounding the nationalisation of mines in Parliament the man had this to say: ”we’re very clear. It is not our policy. We’ve been saying this inside the country, outside the country. It cannot be.”

In August of 2012 nearly all 28000 mine workers at Lonmin in Marikana went on strike demanding increased wages, better working conditions as well as improved living conditions in their settlements and hostels. The wildcat strikes would continue for over a week, littered with incidences of violence and the deaths of six mine workers, two security officials and two members of the South African Police Service — this is important to note. On the 16th day of August the police converged on the koppie (a hill) known as Wonderkop, where the protesting mine workers would gather, and requested that the miners disperse. The situation was already tense, and then inexplicably, with the whole world watching, the police, armed to the teeth, opened fire on the miners, immediately killing 34 and leaving another 78 wounded.
This criminal colony called South Africa has a long and bloody history of violence, but the brutality and wanton disregard for Black lives on display in those moments… the very same Blavk bodies whom they had sworn to protect and serve, to provide a better life for, the very people who voted for these ANC charlatans to on the back of the promise of a dignified existence… a government that promised that they too would reap the rewards of this hard fought democracy.

Those tasked with resolving the impasse, particularly the resources minister Susan Shabangu, the police minister Nathi Mthethwa and police commisioner Riah Phiyega, and I’ll even include the finance minister Pravin Gordhan — were all appointed by the state president, one Jacob Zuma. The line of march from government in the immediate aftermath of the Marikana Massacre was clear… “why don’t you mention those killed in the days before; those miners had weapons; police lives were under threat…” Not one word of acknowledgment for the massacre of innocent people, nor a sincere offer of condolences was forthcoming from the ‘government of the people’. President Zuma would subsequently appoint the Farlam (Marikana) Commission; and then oversaw a government that failed to implement many of the inquiry’s recommendations…
To date, not a single leader from the government, nor a single policeman has been held accountable for the premeditated murder of thirty four (34) human beings.

Lastly, seeing as I’m focusing on Jacob Zuma’s numerous faux pas… Was it or was it not Jacob Zuma that brought Cyril Ramaphosa back from political hibernation or his deployment to the business sector or wherever? Oh and by the way, this happened after the Marikana Massacre! But as Rebecca Malope says: “birds of a flock, they fly together.” Mr concomitant action must be held accountable no doubt, however, the “father of RET” also has blood on his hands…

Collective accountability and whatnot.

Or Convenient Amnesia, because, South Africans are consistently inconsistent.

Peace and Black Power.