Protesters from Youth Affected by Mining United in Action make their way through the streets of Rosebank as part of their bike protest. Photo: Ihsaan Haffejee
They hopped on bicycles and cycled to various mining companies in Johannesburg to voice grievances about the conduct of the companies and to raise public awareness of their communities’ plight.“With this bike ride we will be taking the protest to the doorsteps of these companies. The CEOs are not based in our communities, seeing the effects of their mining activities, they are here in the suburbs,” said Jonas.
“The number one issue for youth in these communities is unemployment. These companies don’t hire young people from the areas which they are exploiting. There is no transfer of skills. There needs to be a fundamental shift in the way the mining and extractive sector operates,” said Jonas.