It's been eleven years since 34 miners were shot dead and 78 others injured in Marikana, North West, during a protest over wage increase at Lonmin Platinum Mine. The widows and survivors of the tragedy that happened on 16 August 2012 say nothing has been done to wipe off their tears. 

Former African National Congress member Carl Niehaus has called for the arrest of Cyril Ramaphosa for the role he played in the massacre. "Of course, that criminal should have been arrested long ago for the Marikana massacre. He should have been charged and instead of sitting on the West Wing of the Union Buildings, he should have been at Kgosi Mampuru Maximum Security prison."

One of the survivors who was struck by a bullet on his head Lungisani Madwantsi said there has been no change in any of the survivors' lives since the incident in 2012. Madwantsi said he is unfit to work because of the shooting. "Eleven years later, we still don't have electricity, we still don't have house and no apology from Ramaphosa. We want this day to be declared a public holiday to remember the lives of the fallen miners," he said. Sibanye Stillwater held a memorial lecture today in commemoration of the massacre and promised to take care of the widows and children of the deceased.

Neal Froneman, representing Sibanye-Stillwater, emphasised their commitment as a company and spoke about the company's road to healing the wounds left by the Marikana tragedy. "We are in support of the widows and are assisting them in securing homes and enabling children's educational progress. We see youth's efforts in seizing opportunities and recognise the importance of mutual understanding among stakeholders," he said. Froneman also said that honouring the ones that lost their lives and healing their loved ones should extend beyond financial compensation. The EFF which was formed in Marikana in 2013 said in a statement: "Only the EFF government will implement justice and arrest the murderers responsible for killing these revolutionary workers and those that have been murdered at the hands of the state violence." Malema also said that when they visited Marikana two days after the tragedy, they demonstrated a deep understanding and appreciation of the true meaning of economic freedom and death.