Marikana haunts us

Amassacre. Nine years later, no one has been held accountable for the deaths of 44 people in Marikana. Many South Africans have forgotten about the week that changed us. Others have chosen not to hear the pleas anymore.

Yet dozens of families and those who still toil underground remember the week vividly. Their lives were altered that week, and the wounds are deep. Every year, we commemorate this week. Every year, promises are made but the situation on the platinum belt doesn’t change.

The pigs, goats and people still use the same muddy streets. Shiny new shacks glisten in the distance from the koppie. The widows still grieve.

They have jobs now, some cleaning up after the mine workers, others digging the platinum their husbands used to mine.

None of the perpetrators is behind bars. Instead, trials are postponed. The closest to justice anyone has come is when a judge in the North West high court in Mahikeng acquitted four officers for failing to report the death of one of the mine workers who died in custody.

Devastated, with no closure, the son of the mine worker who died in police custody still doesn’t know where his father died and therefore he can’t fetch his spirit. He sees his father in his dreams, asking to be laid to rest. But he can’t obey, because the police will not tell the truth about what happened that week.

Only those left behind are haunted and continue to beg for closure and justice. Take a moment to remember these names and their families: Andries Motlapula Ntshenyeho, Anele Mdizeni,

Babalo Mtshazi,

Bongani Mdze,

Bongani Nqongophele,

Bonginkosi Yona,

Cebisile Yawa,

Fezile David Saphendu,

Hassan Duncan Fundi,

Hendrick Tsietsi Monene,

Isaiah Twala,

Jackson Lehupa,

Janeveke Raphael Liau,

John Kutlwano “Papi” Ledingoane, Julius Langa,

Julius Tokoti Mancotywa,

Khanare Elias Monesa,

Mafolisi Mabiya,

Makhosandile Mkhonjwa, Matlhomola Mabelane,

Mgcineni “Mambush” Noki,

Michael Ngweyi,

Modisaotsile Van Wyk Segalala, Molefi Osiel Ntsoele,

Mongezeleli Ntenetya,

Mphangeli Thukuza,

Mpumzeni Ngxande,

Mvuyisi Henry Pato,

Mzukisi Sompeta,

Nkosiyabo Xalabile,

Ntandazo Nokamba,

Patrick Akhona Jijase,

Pumzile Sokanyile,

Sello Lepaaku,

Semi Jokanisi,

Stelega Gadlela,

Telang Vitalis Mohai,

Thapelo Eric Mabebe,

Thobile Mpumza,

Thabiso Johannes Thelejane, Thabiso Mosebetsane,

Thembinkosi Gwelani,

Thembalakhe Sabelo Mati and Thobisile Zibambele.