A decolonial exploration of the experiences of trauma, and pathways to healing among mineworkers and the community of Marikana

In this article, we explore the lived experiences of trauma among male mineworkers and the possibilities for healing and transformation after the Marikana massacre. Twelve in-depth interviews were conducted with mineworkers who participated in or witnessed the 2012 Marikana strike. Participants described enduring trauma after police killed 34 and injured many mineworkers, with traumatic memories, recurring nightmares, and ongoing fear continuing to affect their lives. They emphasised the need for healing through culturally meaningful and collective practices, including traditional healing rituals, communication with the spirits of the deceased, and the acknowledgement of the dead as ancestors. Participants also highlighted the importance of commemorating the massacre and preserving the koppie as a memorial site to honour those who died. In addition, they viewed an apology and acknowledgement of wrongdoing from the ANC-led government as central to healing and closure. The article argues that trauma in Marikana must be understood through a decolonial trauma lens that recognises historical violence, structural inequality, spirituality, communal memory, and culturally appropriate forms of healing.