Striking Miners at Marikana

Business Report

South Africa is in mourning over a terrible tragedy that went on for about two weeks at a local mine (the Marikana mine). Miners have been on strike for better pay for what seems like forever now . It came to light during the strike that many were living in “”abject poverty”, earning approximately $1250p/m. Don’t worry I’m also still trying to figure out what the definition of abject poverty is if this amount falls under that description. 

The horror of this event though was the amount of violence involved and the way people got killed. Police are alleged to have gone on a rampage and people dropped dead or injured everywhere. Before the police opened fire, 10 had been hacked to death by the striking minors themselves and by the time the police were finished that number had increased to 44. 

I can’t imagine the pain and anger of those who lost their loved ones on both sides (miners and police). My heart goes out to them and I pray that God help them through this time of suffering. 

Mining is a cold, heartless business that cares only about the bottom line.  And I’m still asking myself, was this demand for an increase worth even one of those lives? Now political hyenas are using this tragedy to meet their own needs. Pointing fingers at whoever is in opposition, fuelling the fire to meet their own agendas. Not in the least bit concerned with helping resolve things.  It’s all been made into a travesty of ridiculous proportions. God help us.

The other things that really irked me today was reading an article from one of the local newspapers. I wasn’t irritated by the covering of the strike, I just  wish people wouldn't sensationalize unsubstantiated statements".

South Africa remains possibly the most unequal society in the world,- the black majority still faces a life of poverty and toil, if they are lucky enough to even find work; while the still largely white elite, enjoy a life more familiar to the suburbs of Atlanta or Los Angeles, than a country in which over the half the country’s citizens live below the poverty line, without access to basic services. Amandla Pub.

 South Africa is not "possibly the most unequal country in the world”. Does this writer person know how big and unequal the world is. Have they stepped foot just north of our country. Our neighbors both near and far don’t even bother to raise their voices because they know in their position they mean nothing to no one. Have they heard of places like India who are living far below the breadline, etc. I don't condone what has happened by any means but I just wish some of these journalists wouldn’t give the world the impression that you can't get worse than South Africa. When in fact we are a beautiful country that is working on its social ills like any other. That is simply malicious.