ANC, DA commemorate Marikana massacre

Police gunned down 34 striking mineworkers at Lonmin’s Marikana platinum mine in North West on 16 August 2012.

An estimated 78 mineworkers were wounded on the day.

The African National Congress (ANC) says as the country commemorates the day, it should serve as a reminder that the country cannot afford a repeat of the events of that day.  

The ANC's Zizi Kodwa says the country should use the Marikana tragedy to recommit to the constitution of the country.

"We must use the occasion of this commemoration to heal the wound of the bereaved families," says Kodwa.

He has urged the government to implement the recommendations of the Farlam Commission of Inquiry as a matter of urgency.

He says the government should address the issue of wage gaps between managers at the mines and the workers. 

 "We must make sure we address the conditions of mining communities to make sure, so some of the issues that gave rise to the mining strikes and other strikes can be addressed amicably."

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The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for August 16 to be declared as Marikana Memorial Day.

"For it be commemorated every day in honour of the workers who were killed six years ago," says DA leader Mmusi Maimane’s spokesperson, Portia Adams.

The DA says it made this call on former president Jacob Zuma and now they are urging Ramaphosa to use his privileges to declare the day as a public holiday.

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