Category Archives: Sipho Hlongwane

M&G: Tatane, Macia, Marikana: South Africa’s own #BlackLivesMatter moment is long overdue

Tatane, Macia, Marikana: South Africa’s own #BlackLivesMatter moment is long overdue

Sipho Hlongwane

In 2012, after Florida teenager Trayvon Martin was gunned down in the street by a neighbourhood watch captain who went on to escape criminal sanction, Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi founded the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

It has since grown to dominate the response to police brutality meted out against the African-American community in the United States and has become a powerful political message that has made its way into statements and speeches given by President Barack Obama. Continue reading