“It is time for BASF to recognise that the impact of the Marikana massacre is transgenerational”: Speech by Amina Hassan Fundi

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed shareholders and executives of BASF,

Allow me to paint a picture for you. Imagine a nine-year-old girl, surrounded by her loving family at the dinner table—mom, dad, and older brother. They’re sharing stories and laughter, basking in the warmth of their togetherness. Then, the phone rings, shattering the tranquility. You see, that call brought news of a man—a husband, a father, a hardworking employee—called to duty to serve his employers. But instead of returning home to his family, he met a violent end, killed in cold blood and lit up in flames. His story, once one of love and dedication, was reduced to a footnote—a mere “necessary sacrifice” in the pursuit of profit and production – by Lonmin, by Sibanye-Stillwater, by BASF. Full article

“The Marikana massacre destroyed my whole family”: Speech by Ndikho Jokanisi Bomela

My name is Ndikho Jokanisi Bomela. I was nine-years-old when I became an orphan after my father, Semi Jokanisi, was killed on August 13 2012 in Marikana.

I am a man now. I have been to entabeni, the mountain, to perform the Xhosa cultural initiation rites to become a man. But I am also a man because I have had to grow up fast after my father was killed.

My father died for a wage of R12500, which BASF’s suppliers of platinum, Lonmin, refused to engage with the striking mineworkers about — colluding instead to have the strike resolved by the South African police. Full article

BASF: Civil society initiatives call for protest outside Annual Shareholders’ Meeting

• Association of Ethical Shareholders Germany calls for dividends to be cut instead of future investments and jobs
• Whether in China, South Africa or Brazil: human rights violations and unacceptable living and working conditions not identified by BASF itself
• Outgoing CEO Brudermüller’s inadequate record in protecting the climate, environment and human rights

On the occasion of BASF’s upcoming Annual Meeting on 25 April 2024 in Mannheim, numerous civil society initiatives and organizations are calling for a protest. They are giving the outgoing Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, Martin Brudermüller, an inadequate report card for the measures initiated to protect the climate, environment and human rights and are calling on the designated CEO, Markus Kamieth, to take more effective measures. Full article

Living and working conditions at Sibanye-Stillwater remain degrading

Countermotion to the Annual Meeting of BASF SE 2024 on agenda item 4: Ratification of the actions of the members of the Board of Executive Directors

The Association of Ethical Shareholders Germany proposes that the actions of the members of the Board of Executive Directors for the 2023 financial year not be approved.

Rationale:

BASF’s Board of Executive Directors continues to fail to adequately fulfill its human rights due diligence obligations.

South Africa: Living and working conditions at Sibanye-Stillwater remain degrading

BASF continues to purchase platinum from the South African mining company Sibanye-Stillwater, which took over the platinum company Lonmin. Lonmin was partly responsible for the Marikana massacre in 2012, when 34 striking miners were shot dead. Full article