Four years later and there is still no justice for the fallen miners of Marikana. As we remember, tributes have flooded in on social media and news outlets commemorating the day on which 34 lives were lost, few of us actually know the names of those who lost their lives.
Business Day’s Franny Rabkin points out that “when people are gunned down in the US. We can name Michael Brown and Trayvon Martin. But how many of us can name any of those who died in Marikana?”
As she prods us, let us remember them by name.
“Tembelakhe Mati, Hendrick Tsietsi Monene, Sello Lepaaku, Hassan Fundi, Frans Mabelane, Thapelo Eric Mabebe, Semi Jokanisi, Phumzile Sokanyile, Isaiah Twala, Julius Langa, Molefi Ntsoele, Modisaotsile van Wyk Sagalala, Nkosiyabo Xalabile, Babalo Mtshazi, John Kutlwano Ledingoane, Bongani Cebisile, Yawa Mongezeleli Ntenetya, Henry Mvuyisi Pato, Ntandazo Nokamba, Bongani Mdze, Bonginkosi Yona, Makhosandile Mkhonjwa, Stelega Gadlela, Telang Mohai, Janeveke Raphael Liau, Fezile Saphendu, Anele Mdizeni, Mzukisi Sompeta, Thabiso Johannes Thelejane, Mphangeli Thukuza, Thobile Mpumza, Mgcineni Noki, Thobisile Zimbambele, Thabiso Mosebetsane, Andries Motlapula Ntsenyeho, Patrick Akhona Jijase, Michael Ngweyi, Julius Tokoti Mancotywa, Jackson Lehupa, Khanare Monesa, Mpumzeni Ngxande, Thembinkosi Gwelani, Dumisani Mthinti and Mafolisi Mabiya.
Hundreds of people gathered in Marikana on Tuesday to commemorate the shooting of the mine workers. And around the country, tributes have been delivered.
We start with Mangosuthu University Of Technology.
Khulekani Shezi, who is part of the Marikana Commemorations held by the Mangosuthu University Of Technology (MUT) outsourced workers, spoke to The Daily Vox about why they are honouring the miners. “The fact that we are commemorating Marikana, we are actually in solidarity with the people that have lost their lives while fighting for their working lives,” he said.
As part of the commemorations, the outsourced workers marched to MUT and are handing over a memorandum to the university management. “The workers are fighting for their lives; they are fighting for a living wage and to be employed by the university and not an outside company,” said Shezi.
MUT outsourced workers commemorate Marikana Massacre. @thedailyvox @TheMercurySA @DailyNewsSA @SABCNewsOnline pic.twitter.com/rIh7BgUwCr
— #DecoloniseUKZN (@UKZNFMF) August 16, 2016
Right2Know has also been commemorating the day by sending some of their own to Marikana.
4 years later we #RememberMarikana. R2K joins AMCU commemorations at Marikana. #WeAreAllMarikana pic.twitter.com/vEbi2XWnH3
— Right2Know (@r2kcampaign) August 16, 2016
While at UCT, students are commemorating the fallen miners with a documentary screening, graffiti across the campus and assembly around an installation representing the miners.
Overall, the tributes have been nothing short of touching.
People lost their husbands,brothers,sons, friends and fathers killed by those who are meant to protect us #RememberMarikana #TrendingSA
— Lunga Tshabalala (@lungarh_Chagwe) August 16, 2016
All they wanted was a decent living wage. Police brutally murdered them. #RememberMarikana pic.twitter.com/BUKaGcs593
— mandilakhe (@Igqalanqa) August 16, 2016
Lucky are those blacks that only #RememberMarikana on the 16th of August and on the 17th its back to their “happy” realities
— I am An African (@Uncle_JayB) August 16, 2016
Today is a remembrance of one of the darkest days in the new South Africa. We lost lives in the hands of the police #RememberMarikana
— Motsei Mothoagae (@MotseiMothoagae) August 16, 2016
