In paying tribute to the 44 mineworkers killed at Marikana on August 16, 2012, labour union the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) will host its ninth commemorative event this week.

The events will include a memorial lecture on August 11 and the main commemorative event on August 16 at a venue yet to be confirmed.

Every year since the Marikana incident – an incident associated with strike action at the Lonmin platinum mine – Amcu has commemorated the event along with various dignitaries, guests, leaders and members of the nearby communities.

However, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s event, as was the case in 2020, will be hosted with small physical gatherings of 50% capacity, coupled with remote participation through online platforms.

The memorial lecture will take place at the Capital Hotel in Sandton, with the keynote to be delivered by Xolani Dube of the Xubera Institute. Advocate Dali Mpofu will be the guest speaker and Amcu has also invited the Lonmin mine’s current owner Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Neal Froneman, to give a message of support.

Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa says the memorial lecture has become an important item on the union’s calendar. “We look forward to prominent voices in our country reflecting on the events of August 16, 2012, and the challenges that remain after nine years.”

He adds that most of the victims of the incident have not yet experienced closure and healing.

Meanwhile, Amcu also plans to commemorate women during Women’s Month, highlighting their role in the struggle for political and economic emancipation.

“As August is Women’s Month, we also use these events to pay homage to the significant role played by women in our struggle for dignity for the majority of South Africans,” says Mathunjwa.

In this regard, he notes that the Marikana incident was also an “indictment” for how women suffer. “Their wounds will remain raw due to losing their loved ones during that time, for protesting against their poor living and working conditions.”

During the month of August, and through Amcu’s commemoration events, the union will celebrate the women of South Africa for their role in the political and economic struggles, says Mathunjwa.