The koppie where the workers were gathering on that fateful Friday afternoon where the police indiscriminately fired live ammunition at the striking miners is the backdrop of Tuesday’s event.
The organising union, Amcu, was hoping to amass over 25,000 people to observe the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Marikana Massacre but at the moment, the crowd is far from that target.
Two labour unions which 10 years ago were cutthroat rivals in the mining sector have vowed to continue working together in the best interest of their members.
Ten years after the massacre of 34 people protesting over pay and conditions at their place of work, the government still has not delivered on its promise of housing for the community of Marikana, says Amnesty International SA and the Centre for Applied Legal Studies.
Marikana has come alive with those gathered seemingly in a jovial mood as they harmonise struggle songs. Those with entrepreneurial zeal have set up stalls trading items including snacks, chicken feet, cold drinks and even alcohol.