South Africa

PSI affiliate, SAMWU, says no more Marikana’s: "the killing of 37 workers, regardless of which Union they belong to, or their demands, or the way that they have conducted their dispute is still a shocking attack on the working class, and especially organised workers."

It was with the deepest shock and dismay that PSI learned, on 16 August, that 34 workers had been shot dead and 78 others injured by the police at the Lonmin Marikana platinum mine in South Africa. PSI has sent a letter to President Jacob Zuma expressing solidarity with all South Africans and comrades around the world who lament this tragic situation. PSI looks forward to justice and answers resulting from the official inquiry which President Zuma has committed to holding into this terrible event.

The Civil Society Days of the annual Global Forum on Migration and Development will be held in Mauritius in November.

Nursing in South Africa has made remarkable strides as a profession since the dawn of democracy. “As a backbone of the healthcare system of South Africa, nurse professionals are compelled to play an active role and actively partake in the refurbishment of the country’s healthcare system”, says Nurse Manager and President of the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA), Dorothy Matebeni.

The city of Durban is hosting the annual UN Conference of the Parties negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Thousands of government delegates from all corners of the planet have turned up once again to see whether agreements can be reached.