Messages of hope

We reflect solemnly on the 10 years that has passed since the tragedy at Marikana

While Sibanye-Stillwater had not even been formed at that time, these events and their impact were cause for reflection in our industry, and our country then, as they are today.

Since Sibanye-Stillwater acquired the assets of Lonmin, it has been our intention to walk a path of healing and renewal.

We have been grateful for the leadership of His Grace, Archbishop Makgoba in leading us on this journey, and to the many other stakeholders who have been there from the beginning or who have joined us since.

We embarked on and support the process of renewal, not because we want to forget the past, but because we want to honour it. We want to ensure that we promote and enable healing, and find meaning and constructive positive outcomes for the future – for the people lost at Marikana, for the people who bore witness, and for the new generations that live and work here, today and tomorrow.

When we talk about the Marikana Renewal process, we started with the three key themes: honour; engage and create. These three key themes are now reflected on your screen as honour, engage and renewal which has replaced create. Lets discuss what the intention is behind each of these words. First of all:

Honour: we acknowledge families who lost loved ones, and the injured employees whose lives were forever changed, and their generosity to opening constructive dialogue.

Engage: we will engage with our stakeholder, as partners, as the process of healing and renewal is not something we can do alone.

Renewal: we will build on the foundations of the past, and create new opportunities, and new horizons for opportunity, security and fulfilment.

As a business, we see ourselves as an integral role player in the regions in which we operate. We have a long-term vision for the Marikana region, and have significant investments underway. We are confident that that mining can create opportunities that change lives.

But, this is – as I have alluded to before – not something that we can do alone or in isolation. We – like all other role players – are inter-dependent on one another. Our success will generate success in the region. Regional success will influence the success of our business.

Through this Pitso and beyond, I invite and appeal to all stakeholders to walk the journey with us, and I appeal to leaders in all walks of life – in large and small companies, in mining and beyond, in government and NGOs, and in communities themselves – to join this road to renewal. Be a partner in guiding the process. Be an active collaborator in its success. Be constructive.

In closing, I wish you constructive engagements and collaboration over the two days, and I am looking forward to learning of its outcomes, and seeing how we can play a part in making ideas a reality.

Thank you very much.