More job losses...self inflicted though!

You have to love logic...it makes most things in the universe fall into place.
Sadly, logic is not one of the things possessed by many in leadership South Africa.

Last year striking miners made worldwide headline with their confrontation with police, leaving over thirty dead. The unions dragged the strike out and in doing so, damaged the cash flow of the mine. Billions of Rand was lost- not only income to the mine, but to South Africa. But, unions are all about politics and even though the mining companies tried to work compromises, the unions (who's leaders were funnily enough, still receiving an income) stood their ground. This, despite warnings that the high increases they were requesting could not be sustained by the companies involved. Apparently that does not matter to the unions though.
So, the workers received high pay increases, with a warning that it would drain the companies.

Flash forward to 2013. Anglo Platinum has announced that it would close four shafts and have to sell a mine. 14 000 jobs are on the line. Yes, this is shocking and extremely sad. So, how does The Amplats Workers Committee react- they call a strike to bring Anglo 'to it's knees'. Great thinking. The company needs to downsize as it is, so hey, let's damage it further and see how many more we can add to the 14 000 jobs already on the line. Logic at it's best.

Cleverly The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has asked it's members not to strike, while it negotiates with the company to save as many jobs as possible. (NUM was the only large union willing to compromise in last years strikes). The second union, who was the main cause of the earlier never-ending strike, the Association of mineworkers and construction union (Amcu) tell us they will be 'guided by their member's calls'. Also with a bit of prodding I am sure.

This defies logic...but then, so does South Africa in many aspects. Of course, the ANC led government is also threatening to re-look at mining licenses for those mines who are restructuring, giving unmined shafts to 'those who want to mine'-whoever they may be.

This is no isolated case either, wildcat strikes have caused Harmony Gold, Harmony Platinum and Aquarius Platinum to re- look at their operations at some mines, which may lead to further closures.

Considering South Africa was built on mining and remains a mining giant, the government needs to step up and provide leadership. Threatening is not leadership. The government need to have open discussions and understand where the mining companies are coming from. Furthermore, many in government have a financial interest in the mining industry (our future deputy president for example), so they will blow smoke, but tread carefully when it is time for action.

The unions and the government use the lack of education by the masses as a tool for power. The company bosses only care about the bottom line. There has to be a compromise that would work. For the sake of our economy, they need to find it quickly.