“It’s better to die for an idea that will live forever than to live for the one that will eventually die or perish,” by Bantu Biko.

Wandile Sithole

by Wandile Sithole

With that opening statement, I greet a dear reader with common brotherly love.

My name is Wandile Sithole, an ordinary young man whose dwelling is in the bushveld of Marikana. This place claims the title of my home away from home, a place that once witnessed both remarkable and painful incidents of 2012, named the “Marikana massacre.” It was during that fateful day that instigated very few activists to confront this uncaring, inhumane, and, significantly, the unjust stunts pulled by the shadowy exploiters in the name of government. One of those activists is a lady I have come to respect and treasure, a lady named Lerato Lekabe. She is the one who inspired and fueled my activism.

Marikana is surrounded by mining companies and farms, but still suffers an unemployment rate that is sky high, which to me appears as a politically flawed strategy that seeks to destroy our future slowly but surely. I say this because we have educated people beyond matric level, but they are either unemployed or working for a low-wage job. Another issue I felt demanded my attention is the poor infrastructure we are surviving under, which threatens our health, the dusty roads and sewerage that you find anywhere even in our health institution at the local clinic the lack of supporting in community led initiatives and most importantly the failure to invest in an enhancement of our education and it is overwhelming.

Part of enhancing our education I think, must focus on providing skills that are mine related so that we can qualify to occupy vacancies with no doubts, these companies must by all means prioritise us who are likely or directly affected by their chemicals in our water sources, the water we use to irrigate our backyard gardens and our cattle drink.

These calamities and more that we in Marikana are faced with are beyond endurance and above tolerance but I know that this claim can be backed up by courageous actions considering the need to internalise this phenomenon to my people particularly the youth a group that is hypnotized and thrilled by entertainment a sad age group that obliviously sacrifice their future with momentary pleasures.

Since those long-gone days forever swallowed by the events of time when I finished my Matric in the year 2019, I set up a mission for myself to make an impact to challenge these unfavorable and uncomfortable situations, and obsession has always orbited around the axis of education, targeting the young ones who will be responsible for the future.

My attempt to bring is:

• To revive the interest in education in the hearts of many scholars, but often assist them with their curriculum.
• My friend Jerry organised a soccer team, understanding that discipline is a moral that loses its value.
• Joining one of the progressive organisations, Ikemeleng Environmental Development and Justice, has opened many doors to equip my momentum.

I drew my strength for activism through the continuing struggle that we are subjected to. I also drew my strength from those like me who have decided to embark on this journey and those who partook in the struggle of their time in the hope that their efforts will eventually bear fruit in the future, and organisations that share the same objectives.

“It always seems impossible until it’s done” by Rolihlahla Mandela. With this statement, I would like to conclude my alert, and thanks for your respected attention.