Where are the unions and the ANC for suffering silicosis victims?

The Mail & Guardian critically examines the historical trajectory of mineworker representation in South Africa, focusing on the pivotal Marikana strike and the evolving role of unions and political allies. The article frames the 2012 strike not merely as a labor dispute but as a profound rebellion against established power structures, including traditional unions like the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and, by extension, the ruling ANC.

It revisits the brutal history of state repression against mineworkers' protests under apartheid, highlighting the expectation that a democratic government, particularly one allied with labor movements, would usher in a new era. However, the Marikana massacre is presented as a stark betrayal of this hope. The article pointedly criticizes Cyril Ramaphosa, then a powerful figure in the ANC and linked to the mining industry, for his role in advocating for a state crackdown rather than dialogue, a decision seen as siding with capital over labor.

From a South African perspective, this narrative is deeply resonant. It speaks to the disillusionment felt by many who believed the post-apartheid government would fundamentally alter the exploitative dynamics inherited from the apartheid era. The article underscores the irony of former revolutionaries now embodying the interests of mining magnates. It raises critical questions about the ANC's commitment to the working class and the ongoing struggle for justice for victims of mining-related illnesses, like silicosis, suggesting that the fight for workers' rights remains far from over, and the traditional alliances may no longer serve their original purpose.

“

The former revolutionaries in union T-shirts are now the men in pinstriped suits, like the mining magnates they once opposed.