South Africa: bishop negotiates miners' agreement and calls for reconciliation

(Vatican Radio) - South African miners on Thursday returned to work at the Lonmin Platinum mine in Marikana after Lonmin resolved a five-week strike by agreeing to pay raises of up to 22 percent.

34 protesting miners were killed by police in Marikana on August 16, the worst state violence since the apartheid regime was brought down in 1994. A wave of unrest has left at least 46 people dead and many more injured, and protests have spread to a number of other mines.

Anglican Archbishop Jo Seoka, President of the South African Council of Churches was a key mediator in the standoff between the Lonmin management and representatives of the Miners' Trade Unions.

He was the one who informed cheering workers gathered at a stadium near Marikana mine of the deal, which was signed with Lonmin management on Tuesday evening.

Speaking to Vatican Radio's Linda Bordoni, Bishop Seoka described the joy of the miners for having having accepted the offer giving them the possibility to go back to work...

listen to the interview...

Bishop Seoka says, that although no one appeared reluctant to return to work, he doesn't beleive that everybody is happy, "but the majority of the people are very excited that at least they have their jobs back after almost 6 weeks".

Q: Depending on their category the miners are receiving diversified pay increases with the rock-drillers getting the highest increase. Has this solution been satisfactory to all?

A: They got 22 % increase. And that's a very unusual amount for a salary increase. That would be in a normal situation salary adjustment. But that's what they demanded as an increase to their salary. This will make it very difficult for industry in the future, to deal with the demands of the workers outside the bargaining forum.

Q: The miners have always been very instrumental in bringing about change in South Africa. Do you think this unrest will have political repercussions?

A: It has political repercussions in various ways, one of which it changes the legislation of governing the Labour relations of the country. And secondly, the bargaining forum will have to change its processes to accomodate trade union members. So there is a whole redefining of how Labour is to deal with these issues in the future. Another issue is that government Ministers are expected to deliver their services, not just talk! During the strike the Minister of Labour had to be asked to come and talk to the strikers and that was very helpful, and they explained to her what their needs were and asked for her intervention. So that's a very political angle they took. And because some people were saying "this has nothing to do with politics, it has all to do with Labour and wages" - but her involvement was very helpful in explaining how the negotiation process happened through the organised Labour, and because this was outside the organized Labour, a very special intervention was required.

Q: A shadow has been cast over the validity of the Trade Unions themselves in South Africa today, and also the ANC itself - the governing party - which historically is seen as to be on the side of the workers, of the poor. And in a way this standoff appears to have set it apart - against the poor... do you agree with this reading?

A: To some extent: the political landscape of this country was influenced by the Labour Movement, they were part of political movement. And the pressure they put on labour issues necessitated a speedy change to democracy. But there has been a general observation and some leaders have agreed that the leadership has alienated itself from the workers. And so the gap has widened between the rich and the poor. And workers are upset by that. But also for the fact that most of the political leaders were formed by the Labour Movement. the Deputy President for instance was working with the Trade Unions and so was the General Secretary of the ruling party. and so the workers feel they have been let down by their very own people, and that needs to be addressed in future.

Q: it also gives space to people like Julius Malema who is firing up the crowds exploiting their feelings of disatisfaction. Are you worried about this kind of manifestation?

A: Yes it is a concern because we are trying to separate labour issues from political ambitions. And the involvement of politicians does dilute the issues and confuse people, and so one would prefer that politics stay out of labour issues so that the Trade Unions can do what they do better.

Q: What are the living conditions of the miners today?

A: They are really appalling. These conditions are something that shouldn't be there because mines make a lot of money and they could easily improve the housing and needs of the people there. Most of them live in squallor. If you go to Marikana you can see that not far from the community there is a dumping ground for rubbish. And you see children rummaging in the dumping ground. It is very unhealthy.But the whole issue of socio-ecomonic justice is a big challenge in this country, and it cannot be left unattended without serious consequences.

Q: It is the challenge. It is the reason that this whole unrest took place isn't it?

A: It's a combination of things. It's exploitation of labour: low wages for heavy and dangerous work that people are doing. And secondly it's the living conditions that are unacceptable.

Q: Do you known anything about the reported killings on Wednesday at the Anglo American Platinum Mines?

A: I have heard about this but I have not had any confirmation. However I am aware that a woman called Paulina who was a local councillor, shot on Saturday by Police died yesterday.

Q: Surely after the terrible Marikana massacre, police have to be very careful...

A: But it seems they haven't learnt their lesson. They are still very very agressive in engaging with the people. This woman who died yesterday was not even on the street, she was in a local civic society office. How she got shot nobody knows, and nobody is going to admit she was shot by the Police even though everybody knows she was caught in cross-fire.

Q: What do you hope for next?

A: I am hoping that many people will work for peace and reconciliation. I think something very drastic needs to happen there, and that brings people together to talk about the issues that worry them, issues of concern so that together they can build a better future...