Starting this past Friday, activists across the country, and politicians from Botshabelo in the Free State to UCT in Cape Town, have held events to remember the mineworkers slain at Marikana, in the North West, three years ago.
Launching a mobile-friendly website, they appealed to South Africans and others, near and far, to choose an event with which to commemorate those who were killed, in the hope that August 16 will one day be known as “Marikana Day”.
Here’s what’s happening today in your city or town:
Joburg
A picket outside the Joburg Central Police Station in Commissioner Street, Marshalltown, will be held from 10am to noon.
Miners Shot Down, the documentary directed by Rehad Desai, will be screened at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre from 9 to 10.30am.
It offers chilling, blow-by-blow footage of the days leading up to, and the day of, the Marikana massacre.
Another screening of the documentary will be held at Constitutional Hill (free of charge) at 11am.
At 12.30 to 2pm, a People’s Assembly will be held, again at Sci Bono Discovery Centre, Newtown.
Several prayers services will be held in Mamelodi and Hammanskraal.
The Church of the Nazarene in Mamelodi East, Khalambazo, will hold a prayer service for Marikana.
The Ramotse, Hammanskraal Church of the Nazarene will hold a prayer service, as will the Garankuwa, Zone 6 (close to Medunsa and Hospital) Church of the Nazarene.
Itsoteng Women’s Centre, Orange Farm, will hold a gathering of standing in solidarity with the massacre’s widows and families.
At 1 to 4pm, the community of Diepkloof will stand in solidarity with Marikana – see the website given below, for the address.
Cape Town
The progressive Central Methodist Church on Greenmarket Square, will host the hanging of a Marikana banner, following their 10am service.
The Trinity Methodist Church in Nyanga East will hold a Remembering Marikana service.
The Africa Jam Centre, corner of Landsdown Road and Spine Road, Khayelitsha, will also host a remembrance event.
At noon, the UCT Health and Science Faculty will put up a banner, read a statement, and screen Miners Shot Down.
Durban
The Durban City Hall will host a remembrance ceremony, at which all the names of the miners slain on August 16 will be read.
It will be held from noon to 2pm.
From 1 to 4pm, Abantu base Inanda bakhumnula iMarikana (Inanda Commemorates Marikana) will take place - venue to be confirmed.
For details and directions, consult the mobi-site
www.amandla.mobi/marikanaday
Sunday Independent