ANC slammed for congratulating Marikana doccie's Emmy win

25 November 2015 - 17:03 By Times LIVE
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Impoverished Lonmin mineworkers demand higher wages, just days before police would open fire on them at Marikana. File photo.
Impoverished Lonmin mineworkers demand higher wages, just days before police would open fire on them at Marikana. File photo.
Image: ALON SKUY

The ruling party took to social media to heap praises on Rehad Desai's 'Miners Shot Down' for winning an international Emmy but was slammed for failing to sympathise with the deceased miners and their families when the fatal shooting happened three years ago.

In what is seen as a dismal attempt by the ANC to connect with its social media fans and followers regarding the arts - the ruling party expressed its kudos to Desai for clinching an Emmy award at the weekend.

The post read in part: "The African National Congress congratulates the South African produced and directed, Miners Shot Down Documentary for winning an Emmy Award. The documentary tells of the tragic story of the 44 of our people who died in Marikana in August 2012. As we congratulate and celebrate this historic victory, the ANC encourages South African voices to continue telling the story of South Africa, as difficult as some episodes of it may be and with all its trials and tribulations.

"It is our strong belief that the Arts, and the Film industry in particular, is an important voice in the definition of a South African narrative by South Africans themselves."

"The ANC extends its compliments to all cast members of the Documentary for their hard work and determination which resulted to this achievement. "

 

In response to the post, Thabo Mokoena commented he was amazed by how the ANC had not contacted or assisted the widows of the fallen miners.

"Please don't try to be politically correct at the expense of the poor workers..instead this documentary is exposing the ANC led government who brutally murdered people to world and you celebrating that..."

 

Screenshot from the documentary

More comments from Facebook users

Heaven Nemaungane: if you really value that documentary why was it never televised on SABC,ohh i forgot you don want the nation to find out the truth on how brutal your system

Mncedi Mgcantasana: I love anc but this is wrong u should be mobilising people to go and strike and put pressure on NPA to charge all police officers who shot at our country men in that manner not be excited over awards, we should be focusing on the issue portrayed in the film not the achievements of this film

Siphesihle Mkhize: Your ANC should be even ashamed such a documentary exists, and it even hypocritical that you are congratulating it's directors yet you didn't want your SABC to show it

Simsima Twala: Another ANC stunt which proves how hypocritical our ruling party is. They ban this Doccie in SA and when it wins an award they are quick to attach themselves to it.

David Kwinda: so quick to wanna take credit on certain situations that don't even allow you as the organisation to. Very ironic how you now salute such a documentary,yet,It's your government responsible for this tragic event,or was that the plan?

Roshan Parhboo: You are congratulating the directors but u cannot even mention his name? U have a strong belief in arts and film industry in particular yet u cannot lobby the state owned media corporation to air this film. It's a key component of building a united nation but it appears u wish to shield your people from a film which may help them learn from past mistakes.

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