Failure to act and provide leadership led to those furthering their political careers taking over.

Expelled ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema has been the face of the strike. In the absence of the government and the ruling party, the international media had to listen to Malema's diatribes.

His comments were heard all over the world.

In his speech in parliament yesterday, Zuma drew a line.

"There [are] activities that are not acceptable and, as the government, we have been looking at them," he said.

"I have engaged with the ministers concerned to discuss how we deal with this issue, and very soon we will be able to let the public know."

Zuma and his administration should act without fear or favour to save our golden goose.

Politics, especially those within the ANC, should for once take a back seat.

The survival of the republic is bigger than political parties and the illegal strikes should spur the government into securing our interests.

The plight of the miners, whose living conditions and remuneration are appalling, should be looked at urgently.

It is a disgrace that super profits are paid to shareholders while those who risk their lives digging out the precious metals receive small change.

The Marikana tragedy should bring about changes in the mining sector.

Those who are given licences to mine should be forced to invest part of their profits in the surrounding communities.

Labour unions in this sector should rebuild the workers' trust they have lost.

South Africa cannot afford to have the unrest in the mining sector continue unabated.