Mine says it delivered its promises to the widows of Marikana

On Friday, Sibanye-Stillwater which took over Lonmin platinum mine in Marikana, Rustenburg said it was fulfilling the promises that Lonmin made to the widows of the slain mineworkers.

In August 2012, 34 miners were shot dead during a wage-related strike.

CEO of Sibanye, Neal Froneman gave a virtual public lecture ahead of Sunday’s eight-year commemoration of the day when police opened fire on the striking mineworkers, killing 34 and leaving 279 injured or behind bars.

On 16 August, 44 people were recorded dead as a result of the shooting.

Former public protector, Thuli Madonsela also delivered the keynote address during the public lecture.

Froneman said when the company took over Lonmin in 2019, it was fully aware that they were “inheriting the legacy of the 2012 tragedy”.

Since they acquired the mine, Froneman said, they have been able to make some good achievements in helping some of the widows of the slain miners.

Six houses had been handed over to the widows on August 10 but Covid-19 hampered the progress.

Froneman said they would deliver 19 more houses before the end of the year.

It also gave employment to a single family member of each of the deceased.

“This process was started by Lonmin because they wanted to ensure that the families continued to receive a sustainable income,” Froneman said.

Sibanye also continued giving educational support to the children of the miners and, in some cases, siblings of the miners.

Froneman said this was achieved through the 1608 Trust, established in honour of the mineworkers.

“To date the trust has provided funding to 141 beneficiaries at a total cost of R32m,” Froneman said.

“This weekend, will be unveiling a memorial wall which will recognise and honour those who died,” Froneman added.

Froneman also added that the lecture was necessary to “reconcile with the past in order to collaborate for the future”.

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