Platinum strike: Never-ending story set to end

Buses are dropping off workers at the Wonderkop Stadium, Marikana, in the morning where hopes are high and hunger is the eyes. As you go towards the stadium you are faced by women carrying babies on their backs and carrying empty containers that they will use if they happen to get a meal.

The singing is quiet and energy is at its lowest since Daily Maverick’s been in Marikana. Community members are in conversation on the sidelines of the stadium. Small groups of men are discussing percentages – what is acceptable and what is not. Views differ, which is very common, but the personal struggles are far more different.

Workers are talking amongst themselves and are saying, “It looks like today it will end. We will be going back to work.” Some are already on their phones with their loved ones telling them of the possibility.

The numbers at AMCU’s mass meeting are not as high as at other rallies. But when people hear there might be a deal the numbers grow. In their faces you can see they can't wait to hear news, which they associate with a paycheck. It’s clear that they want to be told they’re going back to work.

There is one group of about 50 men singing in the scorching winter sun with others just burning in the sun patiently while waiting for AMCU President Joseph Mathunjwa. The workers gather and the mood becomes positive as the word in the street is that the strike is coming to an end.

Workers have had it hard for the past five months, with most of them already queuing in long lines for the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) food vouchers instead of attending the meeting. The relief has been of great help to the workers. Some men who did not want to be named said, “The R450 is better than nothing and it will sustain us for some time.”

Workers have tried different methods to survive, from skipping meals, eating every second day, and some cutting from three meals to one a day. Workers have been waking up around 4am to be first in the Sassa line. Some even said they spent the night at the at the clinic where Sassa set up.

Mathunjwa has been painted as the real force behind the strike at Lonmin, Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), and Impala Platinum (Implats), deepening demands for R12,500 when the mineworkers are suffering. He is taking a mandate from the members, is his response. He’s a leader in a democratic organisation and AMCU would strike as long as the members gave him the mandate. In meetings with members across the platinum belt on Thursday, his claim seems to have been vindicated.

In a joint statement, the three companies announced on Thursday a deal has been reached “in principle”. Reports from inside said some workers had told Mathunjwa it’s time to end the strike.

“AMCU will be discussing these ‘in principle’ undertakings with its members to seek a mandate to accept the offers which, if given, will bring to an end the 21-week long strike,” said the companies’ statement. “The principles that underpin the proposals seek to achieve a sustainable future for the three platinum companies for the benefit of all stakeholders and to afford employees the best possible increase under the current financial circumstances. The companies expect to receive feedback from AMCU on Friday, 13 June. Thereafter, and should an agreement be reached, the companies will be assisting employees to ensure a safe return to a normal working environment.”

Since the strike began, the companies have lost a combined R22.1 billion in earnings and employees R9.8 billion in wages according to platinumwagenegotiations.co.za, which is run by the platinum producers. Government has also felt the pressure, with the strike being the main factor in the recent announcement that GDP had declined by 0.6% quarter-on-quarter. Ratings agencies are set to announce SA’s credit rating on Friday, which could be lowered on the back of the strike and weak growth. An end to the platinum strike would come at the perfect time for President Jacob Zuma, who is set to deliver the State of the Nation address next Tuesday.

Details of the deal are still unknown, but are expected to be released soon. Once a deal is signed, the strike’s post-mortem could spell significant change for mining, labour and politics. AMCU has positioned itself as a vanguard of the working class, challenging the ANC and Tripartite Alliance’s position as representing the left. But if it fails to secure the R12,500 demand, will members stick with the union after such a grueling fight, or will they seek new leadership, dissatisfied with the return on their sacrifices? And how will the mining companies respond to secure themselves from the costs of future industrial action? Will we see mechanisation, the mothballing of mines or job losses?

AMCU’s strike has been the biggest in SA’s history. Its effects will be deep. At the time of writing, AMCU members in Marikana were still waiting to hear from Mathunjwa, who has been traversing the platinum belt discussing the situation with different groups of members. DM

Photo: AMCU's Joseph Mathunjwa (Thapelo Lekgowa).