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Trade union Solidarity today praised amaMpondo king Zanozuko Sigcau for the leadership he exhibited when he addressed the mineworkers who had participated in last week’s violent strike at Lonmin’s Marikana mine yesterday.

According to Gideon du Plessis, General Secretary of Solidarity, King Sigcau appealed to the workers to return to work and not put their jobs at risk. “The king further said that the unemployment rate was very high and if the workers were to lose their employment at the mine, the level of poverty could be very alarming.” King Sigcau was asked to address the workers, as many of them hail from Mpondoland in the Eastern Cape.

Du Plessis said this type of firm leadership was what was needed at this point, as the striking workers were getting mixed messages. “Those who are urging the illegal strikers not to return to work are uninformed and irresponsible and will have to bear the consequences if the workers lost their work or if similar actions spilled over to other mines.”

Meanwhile, Solidarity has called on Amcu leaders, community leaders and politicians to follow the good example set by King Sigcau.

Solidarity moreover expressed its condolences to the deceased mineworkers’ next of kin who will be attending memorial services for their loved ones today. Representatives of Solidarity will attend today’s memorial service at the Marikana mine.