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Marikana mine: South African clerics mediate in conflict Marikana mine conflict: South African clerics mediate
(40 minutes later)
Religious leaders have launched efforts to mediate an end to the conflict at South Africa's Marikana mine following deadly clashes last week.Religious leaders have launched efforts to mediate an end to the conflict at South Africa's Marikana mine following deadly clashes last week.
A faith-based group said it had arranged "very cordial" talks between mining giant Lonmin and striking workers demanding higher pay.A faith-based group said it had arranged "very cordial" talks between mining giant Lonmin and striking workers demanding higher pay.
Workers at another platinum mine also embarked on a strike on Wednesday.Workers at another platinum mine also embarked on a strike on Wednesday.
Police killed 34 miners at Marikana last week after accusing them of instigating violence.Police killed 34 miners at Marikana last week after accusing them of instigating violence.
South Africa's Nobel Peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu accused the police of carrying out a "massacre".South Africa's Nobel Peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu accused the police of carrying out a "massacre".
The Bench Marks Foundation, a faith-based group which monitors corporate performance, said talks between Lonmin and worker representatives have been taking place since Monday.The Bench Marks Foundation, a faith-based group which monitors corporate performance, said talks between Lonmin and worker representatives have been taking place since Monday.
"So far the process was very cordial and both parties listened to each other," the organisation's chairman, Jo Seoka, said."So far the process was very cordial and both parties listened to each other," the organisation's chairman, Jo Seoka, said.
"Negotiations started... to give the workers a platform to present their grievances and demands.""Negotiations started... to give the workers a platform to present their grievances and demands."
'Reminiscent of apartheid''Reminiscent of apartheid'
The miners, who are currently earning between 4,000 and 5,000 rand ($484-$605) a month, say they want their salary increased to 12,500 rand ($1,512).The miners, who are currently earning between 4,000 and 5,000 rand ($484-$605) a month, say they want their salary increased to 12,500 rand ($1,512).
Mining has made South Africa the biggest economy on the African continent. But for many black South Africans the industry is a symbol of inequality and a legacy of the old system of racial segregation, or apartheid.Mining has made South Africa the biggest economy on the African continent. But for many black South Africans the industry is a symbol of inequality and a legacy of the old system of racial segregation, or apartheid.
Most of the poorly paid miners are black and live in squalid housing. They see their richer compatriots - both black and white - enjoying a luxurious lifestyle they can only dream of.Most of the poorly paid miners are black and live in squalid housing. They see their richer compatriots - both black and white - enjoying a luxurious lifestyle they can only dream of.
The World Bank describes South Africa as one of the most unequal countries in the world and some say inequality has actually increased since the end of white rule in 1994.The World Bank describes South Africa as one of the most unequal countries in the world and some say inequality has actually increased since the end of white rule in 1994.
That is why the populist South African politician, Julius Malema, drew applause from miners when he described the situation at the Marikana mine as a fight between capitalists and exploited workers. And it is why, beyond the tragic deaths, Marikana matters in South African politics.That is why the populist South African politician, Julius Malema, drew applause from miners when he described the situation at the Marikana mine as a fight between capitalists and exploited workers. And it is why, beyond the tragic deaths, Marikana matters in South African politics.
On Wednesday, about 600 workers at the nearby Royal Bafokeng Platinum Mine in North West province also embarked on a strike to demand higher wages.On Wednesday, about 600 workers at the nearby Royal Bafokeng Platinum Mine in North West province also embarked on a strike to demand higher wages.
Rock drill operators, who led the Lonmin strike, gathered peacefully at the mine to demand a wage increase as a handful of police stood by, AFP news agency reports.Rock drill operators, who led the Lonmin strike, gathered peacefully at the mine to demand a wage increase as a handful of police stood by, AFP news agency reports.
The strike at Marikana, which began on 10 August, was declared illegal by Lonmin, the world's third-largest platinum producer, and the mine was shut.The strike at Marikana, which began on 10 August, was declared illegal by Lonmin, the world's third-largest platinum producer, and the mine was shut.
Clashes between strikers, some holding clubs and machetes, and police culminated on Thursday when officers armed with automatic rifles and pistols fired dozens of shots.Clashes between strikers, some holding clubs and machetes, and police culminated on Thursday when officers armed with automatic rifles and pistols fired dozens of shots.
Archbishop Tutu, in a column in South Africa's Business Report newspaper, said the violence reminded him of police behaviour during apartheid.Archbishop Tutu, in a column in South Africa's Business Report newspaper, said the violence reminded him of police behaviour during apartheid.
"When we consigned apartheid to history, we said never again would it happen that our police and our soldiers would massacre our people," he said."When we consigned apartheid to history, we said never again would it happen that our police and our soldiers would massacre our people," he said.
However, he acknowledged that police faced a difficult job, as protests often turned violent.However, he acknowledged that police faced a difficult job, as protests often turned violent.
"When we march, we demand, we destroy and we loot. We care not whether our demands are reasonable, or what actions we take," Archbishop Tutu said."When we march, we demand, we destroy and we loot. We care not whether our demands are reasonable, or what actions we take," Archbishop Tutu said.
South Africa's President Jacob Zuma has promised to appoint a commission of inquiry into events that led to the killings.South Africa's President Jacob Zuma has promised to appoint a commission of inquiry into events that led to the killings.
Countrywide memorial services are due to take place on Thursday for the victims, after Mr Zuma declared a week of national mourning.Countrywide memorial services are due to take place on Thursday for the victims, after Mr Zuma declared a week of national mourning.
Are you in the area? What do you think of the strike? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in the area? What do you think of the strike? Send us your comments using the form below.