The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) and National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) Youth Structure are protesting in Rosebank, Johannesburg today, 24 January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ANCYL and NUM Youth Structure are picketing at the Minerals Council of South Africa “in solidarity against retrenchments and demanding job security.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The picket will take place at 19 Biermann Avenue, Rosebank at 11 am. It will also see an address by ANCYL President Collen Malatji. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sections of the Biermann Avenue will be closed for the protest, with motorists encouraged to find alternative routes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a message to members, Virgin Active said that its Rosebank Gym, located at 15 Biermann Ave, will be closed from 08h00 today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The picket follows a massive jobs bloodbath in South Africa’s mining sector, with Anglo American Platinum, Sibanye Stillwater and Impala Platinum retrenching thousands of workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following a R39 billion loss in 2023 after taking an impairment against its US palladium mine, Sibanye Stillwater laid off 2,600 workers in February 2024 at its local PGM operations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After recording a R37.9 billion loss in 2023 after taking an impairment against its US palladium mine, Sibanye Stillwater laid off 2,600 workers in February 2024 at its South Africa PGM operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, only two months later, Sibanye announced plans to restructure its gold operations and Southern Africa region services functions, potentially leading to 4,000 job cuts in the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Impala Platinum also announced a restructuring in 2024, which could affect close to 4,000 positions at its office and Impala Rustenburg, Impala Bafokeng and Marula operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The group had already cut 1,000 jobs in the second half of 2023. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, after its profit dropped dramatically from R49.2 billion in 2022 to R13 billion in 2023, Anglo American Platinum announced a restructuring that could affect over 4,000 employees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The job losses are not limited to the platinum sector, with South African coal miner Seriti Resources said it plans to cut over 1000 workers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is notable about the picket is that the ANCYL is part of South Africa’s primary political party, as the ANC holds the vast majority of Minister and Deputy Minister roles in the GNU. <\/p>\n\n\n\n