Programme Director:  Cllr Sibongile Makushe,

Mayor of City of Mbombela Local Municipality

Ms Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane, Premier of Mpumalanga Province

Dr Reginah Mhaule, Deputy Minister of Basic Education

Mr Bonakele Majuba, MEC for Education, Mpumalanga Province                           

Prince K. Nkosi, Chief of Emjindini Traditional Council

Cllr Jesta Sidell, Mayor of Ehlanzeni District Municipality

Mr Loots, CEO of Pan African Resources

Mr G Moss, General Manager of Barberton Mines

Representatives of the School Governing Body, teachers, and learners

Members of the Community

Members of the Media

Ladies and gentlemen

 

It is an honour and a great privilege that I handover the new SHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL AND NGWANE SECONDARY SCHOOL to the Department of Basic Education, but most importantly, to the community of Emjindini.

Worth noting is that this momentous occasion has been made possible by the implementation of the Social and Labour Plan (SLP) by Barbeton Mines.  

This is the beginning of a new era for the community, educators, and learners. We are starting a new era of hope wherein the people of this area get to meaningfully benefit from the natural resources that our country is endowed with.

Mining has for decades been the dominant feature of the South African political and socio-economic landscape, whereas most mining communities and labour sending areas lived in abject poverty.

Informed by the Freedom Charter clause that says, “the people shall share in the country’s wealth”, the democratic government promulgated the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) in 2002 to redress the historical injustices against our communities. 

Not only does the MPRDA bestow the mineral resources under the custodian of the state for the benefit of all South Africans, it also makes a provision for the development and implementation of the Social and Labour Plans (SLPs) aimed at promoting the social and economic welfare of South Africans. This was done to enhance the quality of life in host communities and labour sending areas. 

Since then, the South African mining industry is gradually moving away from an era of an industry that is only associated with the four Ds, that being: dirty, difficult, dangerous, and deceased.

Through the MPRDA, the mining sector stands to play a leading role in ensuring that the basic needs of the masses of the people are addressed. It is, therefore, incumbent on all social partners – government, business, communities, and labour – to ensure that the objectives of the Act are realised.

Notwithstanding the progress made since the enactment of the MPRDA, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) continues to urge mining companies to pull their resources together to build impactful projects to achieve social cohesion. Working together will accelerate the construction of more facilities such as schools, hospitals, and paved roads for the benefit of all South Africans.

 

We have for many years cherished the idea of a mining industry that recognises mining communities as an integral part of mining, and therefore, contribute towards sustainable development with bias towards mine communities and labour sending areas. 

To realise this valued idea, Section 100 of the MPRDA further makes provision for the development and implementation of the Mining Charter as a tool to facilitate sustainable transformation, growth, and development of the mining industry.

Today, we have a Mining Charter that not only requires a minimum of 30% Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) shareholding, but also requires a minimum of 05% non-transferable carried interest to host communities and a minimum of 05% non-transferable carried to employees.

We are encouraged to hear that Barbeton Mines has met the  40% target of HDSA participation in all management levels and in core and critical skills as required by the 2010 Mining Charter.  We urge you to fast track the implementation of your plans to meet the 2018 Mining Charter target.

For the mining industry to grow, compliance with the regulatory framework must be fully embraced by the industry, instead of complying merely to protect the social license. 

 

It is imperative for mining companies to meaningfully consult with relevant stakeholders – municipalities, mine communities, traditional authorities, and labour – in identifying the community development priorities that must be contained in the prescribed and approved SLPs.

To maximise the socio-economic development impact in communities, mining companies may, in consultation with municipalities, align their SLPs with the Municipal Integrated Development Programme (IDP). However, the SLPs shall not replace the IDPs.

 For its part, government will continue to create a regulatory framework that will assist, rather than impede, the growth and development of the mining industry.

In our view, today’s event marks a victory to not only Barbeton Mines, but to the entire mining industry. It is therefore important for you to communicate your successes to change your reputation in the public eyes. I am aware of the many other mine community development projects that Barbeton Mines is involved with, and we ask you to continue rolling up your sleeves and help us tackle the many problems our country faces.

I hope the members of the media that are present here today will use their position to honestly communicate this good story to the nation.

To all those who worked hard to make this important project a success, we thank and honour you. To the people of Mbombela Local Municipality, the two schools are  your facilities, this is your victory, and a joyous day for you.

As you rejoice, we would like you to bear in mind that the responsibility of protecting this facility rests with you. The protection of this facility from vandalism will enable many generations to benefit from it in future.

I handover these facilities to you with the hope that you will take care of them.

I thank you.