THE impoverished community of Marikana in North West says although government's gesture to build them dignified houses will not replace the lost lives of their friends and colleagues, it will at least act as a peacemaker.
Yesterday, about 1000 people gathered at the Wonderkop Stadium where Premier Supra Mahumapelo launched the reconciliation, healing and renewal programme.
The aim of the programme is to reconcile and heal the people of North West working towards peace, service delivery and economic prosperity. The programme includes political parties, faith-based organisations, non- governmental organisations and community members.
Marikana gained notoriety after police shot and killed 34 striking mineworkers on August 16 2012.
A further 10 people, including security guards, police and non-striking workers were killed by miners during the same period.
Since then the area has become a political battleground with attitudes towards the government turning sour and residents, made up mostly of mineworkers and their families, embracing the opposition.
Yesterday, Mahumapelo said government, together with affected municipalities, will build 2500 houses and 252 flats in Marikana as a reconciliation gesture.
According to Mahumapelo, more than 2000 houses will also be electrified, roads will be constructed and R3-million has been set aside to develop small businesses.
Jeanette Ntsoko from Nkaneng informal settlement lost her job at Lonmin mine because of the five months long strike that claimed 34 lives of striking miners. "What happened here in 2012 is a pain that can never be erased. But we have to move on. I hope these coming new houses will be able to heal people around here, especially the families of the killed miners," she said.
Andisiwe Mangali from Wonderkop said what Mahumapelo promised was not going to replace the lives of people who died during the massacre but it will act as a catalyst for reconciliation.
"My mother was injured while coming home from work, things were bad and we are still not feeling fully safe. But this announcement might change the situation for the better," she said.
Mahumapelo said the launch was held in Marikana because government wanted to show the world that Marikana was part of South Africa and the North West.
tshehleb@sowetan.co.za
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
Premier launches healing programme for Marikana
THE impoverished community of Marikana in North West says although government's gesture to build them dignified houses will not replace the lost lives of their friends and colleagues, it will at least act as a peacemaker.
Yesterday, about 1000 people gathered at the Wonderkop Stadium where Premier Supra Mahumapelo launched the reconciliation, healing and renewal programme.
The aim of the programme is to reconcile and heal the people of North West working towards peace, service delivery and economic prosperity. The programme includes political parties, faith-based organisations, non- governmental organisations and community members.
Marikana gained notoriety after police shot and killed 34 striking mineworkers on August 16 2012.
A further 10 people, including security guards, police and non-striking workers were killed by miners during the same period.
Since then the area has become a political battleground with attitudes towards the government turning sour and residents, made up mostly of mineworkers and their families, embracing the opposition.
Yesterday, Mahumapelo said government, together with affected municipalities, will build 2500 houses and 252 flats in Marikana as a reconciliation gesture.
According to Mahumapelo, more than 2000 houses will also be electrified, roads will be constructed and R3-million has been set aside to develop small businesses.
Jeanette Ntsoko from Nkaneng informal settlement lost her job at Lonmin mine because of the five months long strike that claimed 34 lives of striking miners. "What happened here in 2012 is a pain that can never be erased. But we have to move on. I hope these coming new houses will be able to heal people around here, especially the families of the killed miners," she said.
Andisiwe Mangali from Wonderkop said what Mahumapelo promised was not going to replace the lives of people who died during the massacre but it will act as a catalyst for reconciliation.
"My mother was injured while coming home from work, things were bad and we are still not feeling fully safe. But this announcement might change the situation for the better," she said.
Mahumapelo said the launch was held in Marikana because government wanted to show the world that Marikana was part of South Africa and the North West.
tshehleb@sowetan.co.za
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
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