History. When speaking about the history of South Africa, all that immediately comes to mind is all the events that took place when the Europeans landed in the South of Africa, Apartheid, civil unrests and all the other historical events that took place in from the 1948 – early 1990s.
This is to no surprise that this is the case in South Africa, as these historical events are displayed everyone and as it should be, because these are of importance in our country. This part of our history is installed in us from a very minor age, from school textbooks, South African historical movies, books, art galleries and museums. Conversations in meetings, conferences and rallies mention parts of our history as often as can be.
Now the question is: How many people know about the Marikana Massacre that took place on 16th August 2012?
While conducting a survey on this question, quite a few young people knew about this event, some knew it happened but not in-depth, and some knew nothing at all. Amongst the interviewed pupils was a journalism student and a politically equipped pupil. The level of knowledge on this issue is to no surprise low, as not enough exposure to the matter was done. As loud as this event was it wasn’t loud enough for the whole country and current generation to know nor hear about it.
The Marikana Massacre, I believe is one of the most traumatic events that took place in our democratic country. A tragic event that I got to hear, watch and write about in this day and age. It is an event that should be part of South Africa’s history and should be as publicized, televised and written more about in our historical books.
16 August 2012, a day that should forever be commemorated nationally, a day that should commemorate all the miners that were killed for what they believed would better their living conditions. Marikana is one of many impoverished communities in South Africa, based in North- West.
“Between 12th and 16th August 2012, a total of forty- seven people died. Among them were thirty- four miners from the Lonmin Platinum mine shot by police” (TheConversation).
Breadwinners, fathers, sons, brothers, friends and leaders died trying to voice out their grievances. The relevance of this blood-filled event will forever continue as it cannot be forgotten.
“To future leaders, it takes hope and in depth understanding of how injustices breaks than building a thoughtful act to step away from the familiar. Lead us better. #AMANDLA” commented a viewer on the live stream of the commemoration event that took place on Tuesday, 16 August 2022.
