Rustenberg Platinum Strike

Pain and woe dragged on for five long months. It is the longest strike in South African mining history. The strikers wanted a minimum wage of R12,500, the mine bosses claimed they could not afford it. In the end a compromise was reached. This is the story of an African strike.
The Platinum Mineworkers Strike Back
January 23 saw the start of the longest strike to hit the country since the Rand Revolt of 1922, when striking white miners fought soldiers through the streets of Johannesburg over plans to replace them with cheaper black miners. Nearly a century later, three of South Africa’s top platinum producers switched off their lights and generators and ran their smelters cold. The companies -Angloplats, Implat and Lonmin – near Rustenbergy, 120 kilometers from Johannesburg - responsible for producing 40% of the world’s platinum. They would not produce another ounce again for five months; the cost - a crippling R24 billion to the economy. A stones throw from the silent shafts of Lonmin, 70,000 workers roared in the Wonderkop stadium. This gathering was a kilometer from the Marikana Koppie where 34 miners were shot down by police during wild cat strikes a year and a half ago. The mining bosses remained adamant that they could not fulfil the basic wage demand.

Relief and Back to Work
25 June – Workers returning to their first shifts at 6am are met by managers who have set up welcome back banners and Christmas lights. The mood is festive.

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