South Africa’s political economy temperature is rising

SOUTH AFRICA - In Brief 16 Aug 2023 by Iraj Abedian

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This week South Africa is abuzz with much political noise. To begin with today is the anniversary of the Marikana Massacre 11 years ago where 34 mine workers were mowed down by the police at Lonmin platinum mine, partly owned by President Ramaphosa, who then was a high profile and influential member of the ANC’s National Executive Committee. Ramaphosa used his influence to pressure the Minister of Police and the National Commissioner of Police to confront the striking workers who had disrupted operations demanding R12500 per month as a minimum wage. The tragedy that unfolded was reminiscent of Apartheid-style of violent treatment of labour unrest. Ever since, the Marikana massacre is synonymous with Ramaphosa despite his denial that he had no intention of encouraging police brutality. Every year the labour unions commemorate the event appealing for justice to be done and reminding the now-President Ramaphosa that he never made good on his promise to go on site and meet with the workers and the families of the victims of the massacre. Today, also, a number of opposition parties used the day to launch a 2-day conference entitled the Moonshot Pact Convention at the Kempton Park Convention Centre, near Johannesburg. The venue is of historic significance in that 30 years ago the then political parties of South Africa of all orientations gathered together to hammer out a pathway transitioning the country into a democratic order. Today’s gathering is intended to culminate in a Moonshot Pact among the potential coalition members of a government to unseat the ANC in the next year national elections. As we have consistently highlighted over the past year or so, the country’s 202...