Business
Major Protest Shuts Down Rosebank as Youth Groups Demand Job Security in Mining Sector

Today, 24 January, the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) Youth Structure are leading a protest in Rosebank, Johannesburg.
The demonstration, aimed at opposing retrenchments and demanding job security, is taking place at the Minerals Council of South Africa, located at 19 Biermann Avenue, Rosebank, at 11 am.
Businesses Affected
The protest has led to significant disruptions in Rosebank’s business district:
- Virgin Active‘s Rosebank Gym at 15 Biermann Avenue is closed from 08h00.
- Redefine Properties, headquartered in the same building, has shut its doors from 08h30.
Motorists are advised to avoid sections of Biermann Avenue, as road closures are in effect.
The Mining Sector in Crisis
The picket comes amid widespread job losses in South Africa’s mining sector:
- Sibanye Stillwater cut 2,600 jobs in February 2024, following a R39 billion loss in 2023. The company may cut an additional 4,000 jobs in its gold operations and services functions.
- Impala Platinum announced a restructuring plan that could affect nearly 4,000 positions in 2024, following 1,000 job cuts in late 2023.
- Anglo American Platinum reported a profit drop from R49.2 billion in 2022 to R13 billion in 2023 and plans to restructure over 4,000 positions.
- Seriti Resources, a coal mining company, plans to cut over 1,000 workers.
These job cuts have devastated workers and their families, prompting today’s protest as a call for greater accountability and reforms.
ANCYL President to Address Protest
ANCYL President Collen Malatji will address the gathering, reiterating the league’s stance on job security and economic reforms.
Political and Economic Implications
The ANCYL’s involvement in the protest highlights tensions within the ruling African National Congress (ANC). While part of the government, the ANCYL is voicing dissatisfaction with how the mining crisis has been handled.
Ahead of the 2024 election, Sibanye Stillwater CEO Neal Froneman criticized South Africa’s leadership, calling for more business-friendly policies to attract investors and prevent further industry decline.
The ongoing debate around issues like expropriation without compensation and mine nationalization continues to create uncertainty, deterring investment and fueling unemployment.
As today’s protest unfolds, the spotlight remains on South Africa’s struggling mining sector and the urgent need for economic reforms. The outcome of the picket may influence public sentiment ahead of the 2024 elections, shaping the future of the country’s economy and labor landscape.
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