Abstract:
On 16 August 2012, striking miners in Marikana, South Africa were fired
upon by the South African Police Service, resulting in the death of 44
mineworkers. For many the incident has signalled a turning point for the
country. This paper suggests that rather than a turning point, the
tragedy at Marikana is perhaps only the newest instalment in a centurylong
cycle of industrial action and government violence in South Africa's
labour history. Marikana is thus not a turning point, but rather a restatement
of the ineffectiveness of law. The article then attempts a theoretical
analysis of these events, as well as the matter of whether Marikana is a
true event that brings about political and social change. Although many
consider Marikana a "founding myth" for a popular uprising in South
Africa, the article cautiously suggests that it is in fact just "business as
usual".
