Residents gathered at Namakgale entrance in their number where they were transported to town in a few buses where they handed out their memorandum of demand.

The protest was peaceful and the residents said they demand transformation and not a dispute with the mine.

Ba-Phalaborwa Economic Accord demands the following; employment, procurement, compulsory partnership, 6% shareholding at Palabora Copper, steel plant, new foundation and CPA recognition at Palabora Copper, Transnet and Foskor.

Ba-Phalaborwa Economic Accord is a formation of local economic structures constituting a body members platform which is political, broad based and representing the overall interest of the vast community residents within the municipality.

Orby Ramoshaba, the convener said they are not happy with the way things went, because they wanted the CEO’s to accept the memorandum and not the representatives. ‘Our waiting period for response shall be 7 days and 30 days implementation period,’ said Ramoshaba.

A resident said they are always sidelined and continue to drown in poverty because they are over looked. Julani Dube, Transnet executive accepted the memorandum on behalf of Transnet and said he will respond within 7 days.

Kobie Naude of Palabora Copper acknowledged the memorandum and James Morotoba, Foskor vice president accepted the memorandum.

Residents claimed that it’s only the beginning; they won’t stop until their demands are met. South African Police form as far as Giyani attended the march to ensure safety as it was mentioned during the planning that it will be a protest of more than 3 000 people but the number did not even reach a thousand.

To watch the video of the march click on: https://youtu.be/YxTF4EwxpV4