Amandla! is free here, but we welcome donations.
Amandla! introduces a new column: Economics for people. In this column we demystify basic economic processes, concepts and debates so that activists are able to participate better in the struggles over the nature and direction of economic policy. One of the factors...
South Africa is by all accounts the world's richest country in terms of the value of its mineral resources. In 2010 these were valued at $2.5–$4.5 trillion. Mining is a lucrative business opportunity right now. The demand for commodities for the growing economies of...
Amandla (A!): Is platinum the new gold for the South African economy and how has the global crisis impacted on the industry? GC: Platinum has historically been a relatively marginal metal in the world economy. South Africa has 88 percent of the world's known reserves...
More than two weeks have passed since the savage 16 August massacre at Marikana massacre and much has been said by government, the mine, the unions, and some civil society organisations. But we have heard little directly from the Marikana strikers, and almost nothing...
by Shawn Hattingh The sight of policemen gunning down striking workers at Marikana was truly galling. Reports too have now emerged that on the day of the shooting some workers may have been executed far from the view of the press’s cameras; and allegations have also...
Marikana has left the nation in shock. Everyone hopes that the judicial commission of enquiry set up by President Zuma will shed light on what led to the police killing of 34 workers on the 16 August 2012. Lest we forget, eight workers and two policemen were killed...
Amandla (A!): Some labour experts insist that the platinum mines, which you call the wealthiest in the world, cannot accede to miners' wage demands and pay for corporations' social responsibility to affected communities. To what extent is labour broking affecting...
President Jacob Zuma's nonprofit rural development project is diversifying into mining, just as the country faces a conjuncture in its extractive practices. A well-placed source has told Amandla! that the extended Zuma family is using the R2 bn Masibambisane Rural...
A Mining company can uproot an entire community for the meager sum of R600: a prospecting permit from the Department of Mineral Resources costs only R500 and a mining permit is R100. In contrast, tribal, cultural and community structures in rural areas have been...