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Bishop Jo Seoka at Marikana. Pic: PUXLEY MAKGATHO 28/08/2012.

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South Africa is a country at war with itself, claiming to promote dialogue, but instead stifles those who do not march to the prescribed drum beat, said Rt Rev Dr Bishop Jo Seoka at the Just World Conference in Kempton Park today.

“We won our democratic character through negotiations where people came together to talk and discuss a way towards a solution for the common good for all, but we have forgotten how to do this. We have forgotten how we arrived at where we are today”.

He was speaking at the start of the two-day conference hosted by The Bench Marks Foundation, in collaboration with the Norwegian Church Aid. A copy of his speech was released in a statement to media.

In his address, Seoka said that the country now waits too long before embarking on negotiations.

“There is an African proverb that says that things are corrected through talking. People are encouraged to talk about their differences instead of resorting to fighting,” says Seoka.

“Unfortunately in my experience, we have resorted to fighting.

“In Marikana, mine management could have done things differently. The workers had asked them to create space for discussions but they ignored this request. Talking would have alleviated the tension from the start and the carnage we saw happen on that fateful day in August, would not have occurred.

“It took far too long before negotiations started, and too many lives were lost because of this.

“We need to find ways to create that space that our mineworkers are so desperate to attain, to reduce the level of violence, and to address the flaws in our democratic society."

Seoka said that representatives from a wide variety of sectors are attending today's conference — academics, policy makers, NGOs, representatives of local communities, traditional leaders, as well as mining companies — thereby ensuring that as many voices are heard as is possible. “We will discuss and explore the impacts of extractive industries on local communities and different models for ownership of natural resources. In addition, we will discuss how minerals can bring about development”.

“If we learn nothing else from the Marikana and Lonmin catastrophe, we should at least recognise that to ignore the root causes of discontent would be inviting another ‘Marikana’.

“We need to ensure that there is democratic participation in decision making. We need to remember that community and stakeholder relations are essential,” he said.

Background:

Bench Marks Foundation is an independent non-governmental organisation mandated by churches to monitor the practices of multi-national corporations to ensure they respect human rights; protect the environment; ensure that profit-making is not done at the expense of other interest groups; and ensure that those most negatively impacted upon are heard, protected and accommodated within the business plans of the corporations.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu launched the Foundation in 2001 and the Rt Rev Dr Jo Seoka chairs the organisation.

Comments

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Wed May 22 20:22:30 SAST 2013 ::

Oct 29, 2012

-Cl!ck-

I agree 100%.. This country needs serious intervention.. I mean with headlines like these.."'Have sex or die!' - Gunman holds Prosper, Tina hostage..".. One can't help but wonder what the future holds for us..

I blame Jam Alley, Zone 14, Jub-Jub, Zizo Beda, the word "Kasi", Izikhothane, Dickies, Ny@ope, Taverns, All you need is love etc.. *sad*



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Oct 29, 2012

Mrazane

I think the population is frustrated with the lack of meaningful change in the country, soon after 94 there appeared to be some changes but corruption has stalled all of that and people are tired of watching the minority enriching themselves at the expense of the majority.

Leaders whether in government or private sector lack integrity and believe they are not accountable to the masses, this leads to arrogance and intransingent positions, which ultimately lead to the nasty confrontation we saw. Each individual who wants change must introspect, am I living the values I confess to believe in? Am I serving my personal interests only or do I consider that there is a greater interest that must always be considered?

We have a very long road ahead, unfortunately we have chosen to ignore lessons from other African countries, instead w are intent on repeating the same mistakes. However I do appreciate the existence of institutions such as these, they give us hope, I also appreciate the few leaders who are willing to speak and hold leaders in all institutions whether public or private, accountable.
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Oct 29, 2012

P4T

Baba uMfundisi you are so correct. In fact most African and International commentators were shocked with the Marikana situtation. Most of them were actually lost for words because South Africans are renowned for settling their disputes through Codesa type of dialogues. That one of the Codesa negotiators was involved in this unfortunate turn of events is an indictment for us. In fact the scary part is that the same Codesa negotiators (leadership in business, government and labour unions) do not seem to understand that their refusal to admit the root cause of the Marikana tragedy is what makes the whole scenario dangerous because it is likely to repeat itself and perhaps at a larger social scale.
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Oct 29, 2012

Ramatlhale1

And the scary part is that its only the begining,

Either you belong somewhere or you are just mere collateral damage.....!!!

It's Intellectuals vs Politicians;
Businesspeople vs Unhappy labourers;
greedy, immoral tycoons vs self righteous human rights activists;
Religious god-fearing people vs Everyone and finally........
Juju vs Showerhead

It appears that nowadays one's success is measured by how many careers, lives you've destroyed instead of how many you've nurtured, saved & guided!!!
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Oct 29, 2012

Moffdat

@Click
Click you are being unreasonable. There is nothing wrong with Izikhotane... i am very fond of ultra mel and apparently these kids have it by the bucket load.
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And nyaope is cool
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Oct 29, 2012

Mrazane

@ Ramatlhlale1 very true.

@ Moffdat you may be fond of ultra mel mara izikhotane are wasting it baba how can you just chuck iUltra Mel like that enhlabatini nogal? - wish I could gryps it from them
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Oct 29, 2012

-Cl!ck-

@ Moffdat

During apartheid, bl'acks only drank custard made from powder milk.. I don't know who gave these Izikhothane permission to just waste it that this.. Indeed, our country needs serious intervention!!

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Oct 29, 2012

Dubul'Amanzi

@Mrazane akwande, kubhedere sibarithe abathswenyako.
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Oct 29, 2012

Papage

If only we can get The Leadership right, I mean we the Country need a sober President, we dont have one at the moment. A home with no Leader end up in shambles.
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Oct 29, 2012

The-Vince

Cl!ck-
I agree 100%.. This country needs serious intervention.. I mean with headlines like these.."'Have sex or die!' - Gunman holds Prosper, Tina hostage..".. One can't help but wonder what the future holds for us..

I blame Jam Alley, Zone 14, Jub-Jub, Zizo Beda, the word "Kasi", Izikhothane, Dickies, Ny@ope, Taverns, All you need is love etc.. *sad*
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ha ha ha ha ha lol @cl!ck, thats just crazy, worst Zizo Beda!!! like seriously bro, she is the finest thing ever. How can you forget Generations, and Akhona. lol dude. that was just helarious.
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