BY Obakeng Maje

Rustenburg-Unless the basic structural issues of South African economy are honestly addressed Marikana may be part of a domino that we are not aware what other areas it is connecting to, North West Premier Mme Thandi Modise warned on Tuesday.

Emphasising that she holds no brief to any in-party persuasion in a speech delivered on her behalf for the opening of the 8^th   Biennial International Women Conference in Durban, Premier Modise said that in Marikana we have seen how the interface of poverty, justice, development and good governance can result in a disaster even in conditions where there are systems and processes for democratic engagement.

“In Marikana we have also seen how the absence of a sense of nationhood amongst captains of industry can result in relationships that breed a hostile labour relations environment at the altar of selfish interests by those involved.

We have also seen how a functioning labour relations system like the one we have in South Africa can be undermined by concrete realities facing our people. We have seen how capitalism without a conscience can drive people to conditions where their behaviour is almost tantamount to suicide.

Whilst the story of workers is being told and narrated, there is this story that has not yet being told and will probably never be told;

• the story of the potentially 45 or so widows that have to bring up their children without their father.
• the story of households that have lost breadwinners as a result of the conflict” the Premier asserted.  

She said that the Marikana debacle has exposed the extent to which our new capitalists have been assimilated into a system that does not have respect for the socio-economic condition the workers came from.

“Marikana should however not be seen as a South African problem. It must be theorised and understood as a manifestation of a broader African challenge.

We have been showered with an ideology that dictates to us as Africa to align our policies so that they can attract foreign direct investment. Yes, we know that FDI is one of the key conditions for economic growth or at the least expansion of economic activity. BUT and I mean a big BUT;

• economic growth cannot continue to be watered by the blood of Black workers and Africans in particular
• economic growth cannot continue to be pursued at the expense of a better life for our people,” the Premier underlined.

She said that when calls were made for a review of the structure of the economy and how it benefits the majority and marginalised, our response as a society was to problematize the manner in which these calls were made instead of focussing on issues raised.

Modise said that Marikana has exposed society and in the words of Journalist and political commentator, Justice Malala, the whole of South Africa is a loser.

She said that we are losers because we have amongst others;

• refused to engage when we were told that this economy continues to benefit the few and thus creating one of the unequal societies in the world
• refused to engage with issues raised by our youth in respect of starting a debate on the social face of our new found democracy
• refused to substantively engage with calls for an economic CODESA that speaks to the structural issues of economic management and access such as land restitution, agrarian reform, financial sector restructuring as well as direct state involvement in marshalling the commanding heights of the economy.

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