IN PICS | Marikana massacre: a decade later, still no closure
In 2012 photographer Alon Skuy was alerted to a miners’ strike in Marikana in North West province. He headed to the town, little knowing the tragedy that would unfold in the next few days would be the lowest point in SA’s democratic history.
A man dances in front of fellow miners at the foot of the koppie. (Alon Skuy)
In 2012 photographer Alon Skuy was alerted to a miners’ strike in Marikana in North West province. He headed to the town, little knowing the tragedy that would unfold in the next few days would be the lowest point in SA’s democratic history.
The iconic image of Mgcineni 'Mambush' Noki has become synonymous with the 2012 Marikana strike and massacre. (Leon Sadiki/Gallo Images)
Skuy recalls how shockingly and surreally the scene transformed in seconds on August 16 when 34 miners were killed by police. Skuy has stayed with this story at key moments over the past decade, including the families’ pilgrimage to the scenes of killing and the Farlam Commission hearings.
He returned to Marikana this year in the run-up to the 10th anniversary of the massacre and found that the loved ones of those killed have many unanswered questions and no guarantees for a better life. These images form part of a commemorative book, entitled MARiKANA 2012/2022.
Here are the pictures below:
Crosses commemorating the victims of Marikana, at the foot of the koppie, almost a year after the tragic events of August 16, 2012. (Alon Skuy)
A protestor gestures with a blade during a protest in Marikana. (Alon Skuy)
Woman sing by a fire in Marikana on the morning of a cleansing ceremony held by families (Alon Skuy)
A resident of Wonderkop settlement passes a makeshift archway at the entrance to an incline shaft in Marikana. (Alon Skuy)
Mgcineni Noki, known as Mambush, photographed at the foot of the koppie with fellow strikers. 'Noki was from Twalikhulu in the Eastern Cape. He began working for Lonmin in 2009 and was a leader of the strike. On 16 August 2012 Mambush was killed at scene 1 after being shot numerous times by the police, including in his head, neck, legs, buttock, elbow, calf and thighs. He left behind his wife and five young children, as well as his sister and niece who also depended on him for financial support. (Alon Skuy)
A policeman takes aim and shoots at the front group of men. Police initially opened fire on the miners with rubber bullets and teargas. File photo. (Alon Skuy)
A police officer orders a wounded Mongezeleli Ntenetya to lie down as they try to secure the area. Ntenetya succumbed to his injuries and died on the scene. (Alon Skuy)
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