As Anglo Platinum’s Mogalakwena Mine in Limpopo continues to rake in billions in profit, the local community of Ga-Molekana remains in squalor, with a high unemployment rate. The community is now calling for the closure of the mine.
Located near Mokopane town, the mine, which has been posting profits of R4 billion for the past two years, is at the centre of anger and anguish being felt by the youth of nearby villages as they battle unemployment. The local community is fed up with what they've described as empty promises and the preference for outsiders over them.
“The mine is not hiring us. We are always applying but we are not getting anywhere,” said Mpho Masingi.
Sello Mashalla echoed these sentiments, adding that people from the North West are being recruited while local people are available. “I've been applying for four years but to this day nothing has happened.
"Permanent jobs are given to people from outside while locals lucky to be employed are given piece jobs that don’t last long,” Mashalla said.
The pair are just a few of the youth who flock to the mine on a daily basis with the hope that their luck will change and they will be employed. They wear overalls and clutch lunch boxes in front of the mine but are left disappointed as days pass with no change in fortunes.
Apart from a lack of jobs, they also bemoan the non-development of their area while the American-owned company rakes in billions which leave the country’s shores.
The government’s new mining charter seeks to address problems like these. Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has proposed that mining companies be compelled to cede a 5% stake to communities where they mine and to give another 5% to their workers.
The move with the new clause comes after former minister Mosebenzi Zwane’s proposal was severely criticised. He had suggested that mining companies be compelled to contribute 1% of their annual turnover to a new community development agency. It was argued, however, that the fund could be abused and that idea has been scrapped.
Driving through the Mogalakwena villages, the communities’ cries are clearly visible with cracked houses the order of the day and streets not tarred. There is no running water and people depend on water tankers to deliver it. When night falls, darkness engulfs the mining town with the street lights installed by the mine resembling lighting from a candle, which doesn’t add any spark to the dark skies.
“There is no development in our area. We don’t have libraries and clinics. Our sick parents have to travel long distances when they are sick to get help,” said Sydney Sebea.
Tumishi Rametlwa lambasted the mine for keeping the only suitably built sports complex to themselves. He said locals don’t use it. “When we ask to host tournaments there we are told no. It’s useless because it doesn’t serve us, the people who truly need it,” he said.
The four all agreed that the mine should close as it does nothing to uplift their lives. They said it was belittling for them to see millions of rand leaving their area while they get nothing in return.
“It will be better if they just shut it down because we are not seeing any economic benefits of having a mine in our area. If you were to compare our villages and those that are around the mines in Rustenburg, you'll see that we are just being taken for granted,” said Masingi.