Pretoria - The man with the green blanket has been celebrated and immortalised for the role he played during the days leading up to the Marikana massacre.
Mgcineni “Mambush” Noki was one of 34 miners gunned down on August 16, 2012, in a violent confrontation after wage negotiations between mineworkers and Lonmin failed.
Noki spearheaded the protest and featured prominently in the media in the days leading up to the shooting which was described as the most lethal use of force by the country’s police force since the 1960s.
This year’s anniversary will take place against the backdrop of President Jacob Zuma releasing the Farlam Commission report in June.
The report failed to hold anyone accountable for the deaths of the miners; save for national police commissioner General Riah Phiyega, whose fitness to hold office is set to be probed in line with the commission’s recommendations.
Former North West police commissioner Lieutenant-General Zukiswa Mbombo was also implicated.
To commemorate those who lost their lives and their loved ones who were affected, Amandla.mobi took a painting of Noki to various parts of the province, including the Union Buildings and police headquarters in the city on Wednesday.
Amandla.mobi is a community advocacy organisation lobbying support for accountability and action to be taken against those involved in the massacre.
Spokeswoman Koketso Moeti said the initiative was done to raise awareness of the injustices experienced by the families of the 44 people who were killed. Forty miners working for Lonmin were killed, while two security guards and two policemen were also killed.
“What makes this anniversary of the Marikana massacre different is that the Farlam Commission has concluded and the Marikana report has been released. Yet the families of the 44 people who lost their lives are still without justice,” Moeti said.
A further 50 events will be coordinated which include church sermons, screenings of Marikana documentaries, panel discussions and pickets across the country. “If we do not demand accountability now, Marikana risks being lost in the books of history,” said Moeti.
“Marikana Day is more than just mourning lives lost; it’s about stopping the exploitation and brutalisation of our people. We will continue to campaign against the use of R5 massacre rifles by police and demand Lonmin stop exploiting our people and land,” she said.
Pretoria News