CAPE TOWN - A Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) seminar on Marikana on Friday heard the poor feel alienated, mainly due to the lack of transformation in the mining sector.
Speakers at the conference dissected the industrial action at Lonmin's platinum mine in the North West Province.
At least 45 people were killed in violent clashes at the mine.
On August 16, police opened fire on demonstrators resulting in the death of 34 people.
On Tuesday, the six-week-long violent mass action ended in a wage deal between employers and workers.
HSRC Professor Ivan Turok said the conflict was multidimensional.
He said it was a labour dispute at heart, but the events that played out in Marikana showed that people felt alienated.
“The lack of transformation symbolises the persistence of the old labour migrant system.”
The chairperson for Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, Jay Naidoo, said leaders should not be looking for agitators.
He said government should rather deal with the genuine concerns raised by communities.
A report handed over to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources this week, highlighted the social and economic problems faced by residents in the platinum belt.
(Edited by Tamsin Wort)