The ruling African National Congress (ANC) said on Monday that the events that unfolded at Marikana will always remain a dark spot  in South Africa’s democratic society, as it remembers the lives lost on August 16, 2012.

The ANC saai what happened in Marikana was a constant reminder of the need to build an economically inclusive, equal and just society.

“The ANC stands with every widow, mother, father, son and daughter, brother and sister who lost a loved one during that entire period. We shall endeavour never to forget their memories.  As the governing party, we acknowledge that the fateful events of Marikana occurred on our watch,” it said.

The ANC said while South Africans could not undo what happened, they had a responsibility to draw valuable lessons from August 16, 2012.

The party went on to say that since the tragic events, industrial relations in the mining sector continued to improve.

The party urged South Africans to pledge to never allow another Marikana.

It reiterated its call to government to move quickly to implement programmes to help alleviate the plight of affected families and to ensure that conditions that led to the events were addressed.