Marikana is not like Sharpeville

IN HIS sobering column “Do we no longer want a just society?” (The Mercury, September 10), Mosibudi Mangena poses a tricky question: Is Marikana different from Sharpeville or Boipatong? If so, how?

My humble answer is yes, there is a vast difference.

In a justified condemnation of the brutal, apartheid-style murders of the 34 protesting miners by police, we tend to overlook events preceding the fateful day. We tend to regard as insignificant the cold-blooded murders of the eight mineworkers (plus two policemen) who were mercilessly hacked to death for daring to go to work against the wishes of their rampaging colleagues. Is the pain of the 10 people’s deaths less severe to their loved ones than those of the 34?

The vast difference between Marikana and Sharpeville is that the latter symbolises martyrdom by people whose sacrifices played a major role in taking our nation to where it is today.

At the time of their deaths, the Sharpeville protesters were marching peacefully, were unarmed and had caused no death to anyone perceived to be opposed to their cause.

The same cannot be said of the 34 Marikana carnage victims. Since when has a downing of tools in demand of higher wages have to involve carrying weapons, killing of dissenters and use of witch doctors for “invisibility”? Events leading to the Marikana mass killings and their aftermath are characteristic of the violent nation we have become.

Intimidation, looting and destruction of property have become the most trusted weapons in pursuance of our demands. ZINGISILE MAPAZI Joburg