Messages of hope

The theme of this year’s memorial, delivering shared value, speaks profoundly to the journey we are walking together. It is a testament to the fact that even in the shadow of great sorrow, we can and indeed must find ways to build a future that is better for all and that our ability to do that depends on our shared humanity. It speaks of hope, resilience and transformation in action.

Hope does not dismiss the reality of our pain, nor does it erase our sorrow. We acknowledge that many families still face emotional and economic hardship and that justice remains incomplete. Rather, hope is the courage to acknowledge darkness while actively choosing the path towards light.

In these challenging and uncertain times, both globally and within our own beloved country, we must steadfastly choose hope, unity and make the choice to continue building because this is our mission.

Of course, I’m a cleric and will quote a scripture. Isaiah 58 says, “Is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen: To lose the chains of injustice and to untie the chords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and provide the poor wanderer with shelter; when you see the naked, to clothe them and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”.

The genesis Marikana has not been easy, but meaningful journeys rarely are. Through programmes like the renewal programme, we have witnessed first-hand what responsible mining can achieve, even in irresponsible times.

We have seen businesses, communities and individuals come together to create value that benefits not just a few. We know that there is always more to do, more yokes to break and more food to share.

I come from a mining world, where my father travelled to mines in my youth and I’ve seen the impacts of it in all of its different facets.

I still say that mining, as long as it is carried out with integrity and guided by a moral compass, holds tremendous potential. It has the capacity to uplift communities, restore dignity and provide lasting economic opportunity. When mining is pursued with authentic commitment to human dignity, environmental sustainability and social responsibility, it becomes a force for good – an example of the ethical leadership our world so desperately needs today.

As we lament the profound losses we suffered at Marikana, we simultaneously honour the determination and strength of the families and communities affected. We recognise the dignity of labour and the rights of workers to advocate for fair conditions to share in the value of the earth through their efforts. We also recognise how far we have come, not to diminish the grief, but to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that the future is brighter than our past as we construct bridges of understanding, trust and mutual respect – ensuring that every step we take is one of progress.

When I talk about ‘we’, I am talking about the small interventions we started after the Marikana tragedy. These include courageous conversations that are held here at Bishops court by the mining CEOs, trade unions and faith communities – to hold each other accountable for what happened in Marikana and in the mining community in general.

Friends, while the past cannot be changed, the future remains ours to shape. Together, let us continue to hold hope in our hearts, purpose in our actions and unity in our efforts. Let the legacy of Marikana not be defined solely by tragedy but also by the compassion, courage and collaboration it has inspired among us.

Please take a moment to remember those whose lives were lost, to think about those left behind and to dream of what our future might be. May we remain steadfast in delivering shared value through responsible stewardship and care for one another, and may our collective efforts lead to lasting peace, prosperity and dignity for all touched by Marikana.

Thank you and God bless you all.