Dlamini was speaking in Durban, at the 21st anniversary celebration of the South African Student's Congress (Sasco).

Former ANC Youth League (ANCYL) leader Julius Malema in August called for a “mining revolution” across South Africa - in the wake of the Marikana killings.

“We will run these mines ungovernable until the boers come to the table,” Malema told miners at Aurora’s Gootvlei mine.

Dlamini said it would be impossible for miners to find work at ungovernable mines.

"You can't call for the ungovernability of the mining sector and hope that the miners will keep their jobs."

Meanwhile, acting ANCYL president Ronald Lamola, who also spoke at the gathering, said it was worrying that Sasco was no longer a non-racial movement like it was 21 years ago, when whites and Indians also participated in the struggle for freedom.

He questioned why only black miners died while fighting for a salary increase during protests at Lonmin’s Marikana mine in the North West.

Lamola said the ongoing inequality in the economy was preventing the country from becoming a true rainbow nation, adding that white males still controlled large businesses. 

The acting youth president also welcomed the judicial commission of inquiry into the Marikana shooting, but emphasised it should investigate the degree of Lonmin's profit.

Lamola also spoke of the nationalisation, urging delegates to "study hard" so they’re adequately skilled to carry out the strategy of nationalising the country's mines.

Earlier, Young Communist League (YCL) secretary Buti Manamela said the reasons behind the protest should be investigated.

Miners will enter week four of their strike next week, and have vowed to stay away from work until Lonmin management agrees to pay them a monthly salary of R12, 500.

Their protest for a higher pay has claimed a total of 44 lives, including the 34 miners killed during clashes with police deployed to the mining town.

Union rivalry was initially blamed for the start of violence.

(Edited by Thato Motaung)