Jesuit Institute in SA screens documentary on the Marikana massacre

On Wednesday, 11 March, the Jesuit Institute hosted a screening of the multi-award winning documentary “Miners Shot Down”. The documentary follows the events leading up to the Marikana massacre on 16 August, 2012. It includes striking footage from numerous sources, including the South African Police Services, Lonmin security and Al Jezeera. It also presents interviews with key players in the events of Marikana, including deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa, strike leaders, photojournalists and lawyers representing the miners’ families.

Screened in blue-ray definition quality, the event was well received by the 60 or so attendees, some of who included Constitutional Court Justice Edwin Cameron, Archbishop Emeritus of Pretoria George Daniel, members of the Southern African Catholic Bishop’s Conference as well as people from media outlets.

Mzoxolo Magidiwana is a miner who was on site at Marikana during the strike and was himself shot by the police on that fateful day in August. With such an outstanding turnout of both attendees and people involved in the making of this documentary, the discussion which followed the screening was passionate and memorable. The discussion involved such broad topics as the economic situation of miners in South Africa, the accountability of the government and police, the possible outcome of the Marikana Commission and the role of the media in the growth and development of South Africa as a democracy.

With the report from the Marikana Commission to be completed sometime during this month of March and submitted to the President, the Jesuit Institute desired to facilitate this important screening and discussion. Integral to Ignatian spirituality is a faith that does justice. The mission of the Society of Jesus is to serve the Christian faith, recognising that an essential part to this mission is the promotion of justice (32nd General Congregation of the Society of Jesus, Decree 4, Paragraph 2).

This documentary and the discussion, which followed, highlighted important challenges to the economic and social well being of South Africa. The Institute believes responsible Christians and citizens of South Africa need to be conscious of, discuss, raise awareness about, and work towards resolving our societal issues. These challenges include ensuring that reasonable wage levels are paid to workers that enable families to survive, the police force and government are held accountable to citizens and that multi-national corporations are held socially responsible.

The Jesuit Institute, by hosting events such as the screening of “Miners Shot Down”, remains dedicated to facilitating public dialogue on these and other important challenges that South Africa faces. Furthermore, it believes that Catholic Social Teaching can make an effective contribution to the public discourse as South Africa continues to build a solid foundation for its democratic future.

Another screening of “Miners Shot Down” is scheduled for St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Orlando West, Soweto, on 27 April at 15h00.

(Fr. Russell Pollitt, S.J. /r.pollitt@jesuitinstitute.org.za)

e-mail: engafrica@vatiradio.va