MARIKANA, North West — As the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) prepares for the 14th Marikana massacre commemoration, the union’s newly formed Labour Party (LP) is taking centre stage ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
The political wing, officially registered with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in March 2024, has quickly moved from concept to electoral action. Just nine months after its registration, the party secured its first major victory by winning a local government by-election in the Thabazimbi Local Municipality in Limpopo.
The decision to enter the political arena was finalized during AMCU’s special national congress in 2023, culminating years of internal deliberations regarding the broader socio-economic challenges facing South Africans.
Joseph Mathunjwa, AMCU president and the Labour Party’s interim leader, explained the union’s political pivot during last year’s commemorative events. “It is because of this clear failure of the political system and that of the opposition political parties that made AMCU take a resolution to establish a Labour Party of South Africa,” Mathunjwa stated.
He emphasized that the party was “born out of working-class struggle, understanding the pain of Marikana and the struggle of all workers and their families in the quest for a living wage.” Promising to replicate the union’s success in securing the 12,500 living wage mandate in the political sphere, he added, “We are taking the shaft to the community. What we have been able to change at the workplace, we are going to change in the community.”
Locals in Marikana share this optimism. Many residents view the political extension as a potential catalyst for job creation and community development, noting that the area has suffered economically since the mining company’s restructuring. One resident expressed hope that the Labour Party will build on AMCU’s legacy, noting visible differences in the area since 2015 and expressing belief that the new political wing will drive further positive changes in the years to come.
However, political analysts urge a measured outlook regarding the party’s national ambitions. Professor Andre Duvenhage, a political analyst, suggested that while the Labour Party may find localized success, its broader impact will likely be minimal.
“They can win a seat, maybe a few seats here and there, but I’m not seeing them as a party that can successfully compete on a broader provincial level, for example, in North West, or on a national level,” Duvenhage noted. He added that their localized influence is largely an exception defined by AMCU’s stronghold and influence as a trade union.
The Marikana massacre, where 34 miners were fatally shot by police on August 16, 2012, has historically served as a potent backdrop for political mobilization. The tragedy directly catalyzed the formation of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in July 2013 under the leadership of Julius Malema. During the early commemorations, Marikana became a primary rallying ground for various political figures seeking to align themselves with the working-class struggle.
At one of the initial memorial events, Malema declared the area foundational to his movement. “Marikana is the home of the EFF. We do not relate with you today because it is fashionable to do so… we are here today to say thank you for voting for the EFF and we are going to make sure that our people in this world get houses, water, and electricity,” Malema told the crowd.
Similarly, opposition leader Mmusi Maimane used the platform to demand accountability, stating, “We are not going backwards. We are saying the compensation fund must come from the South African government so that we can talk about true justice for the people.”
Yet, Mathunjwa points out that the political landscape in Marikana has shifted dramatically in recent years, with many politicians abandoning the community once the initial media spotlight faded. “You remember how many political parties were here previously? They were saying many slogans. Today when I look at the back, I don’t see any of them. It’s only comrade Dal who is still standing,” Mathunjwa observed.
Having led AMCU since its inception over two decades ago, Mathunjwa is now tasked with steering the Labour Party through its inaugural local government elections this November, hoping to transform the working-class struggles of the past into tangible municipal governance.