Booysendal determined to raise community’s economic welfare

LYDENBURG – Northam Booysendal Platinum Mine was amongst the attendees and sponsors through the Booysendal Community Trust, of an outreach programme held at Rooikrans on Thursday, September 16.

The event was to enlighten locals about services offered by the private sector as well as the government, most importantly to encourage farm residents to test for HIV/Aids and Covid-19.

Mpumalanga provincial government’s departments and agencies such as SASSA, Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Department of Social Development, Department of Labour, Department of Health, Department of Agriculture and the representatives from the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality (TCLM) also honoured the event.

The programme was part of the process to get all stakeholders involved in the local government and traditional sectors and thus ensuring an effective and efficient delivery of services that changes the lives of communities.

    Jack Selowa, the Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator at Booysendal, spoke at the event and encouraged locals to stop blocking roads and to communicate effectively with the local mines and government when issues arise.

“The goal of our involvement in these kinds of events is to further polish the relationship between the mine and its surrounding communities, a goal which we aim to accomplish by supporting you as our stakeholders.”

“You are part of Booysendal, and we encourage you to form businesses outside the mine, this means you can create alternative employment outside of the mining environment.”

“Previously, we provided support to local youth in the agricultural sector. Currently, we provide them with equipment to improve their farming projects, which will allow them to produce more sustainable and high-quality products.” “You don’t have to protest to access our services, visit us with your business plans and we will see how we can assist with other stakeholders that are present today. There is no Manna from heaven that will assist you, Vuk’uzenzele.”  

Selowa also mentioned that the government still needs people in other sectors, locals should not only focus on getting employment at the mines.

  “Booysendal employs a vast number of people and priority goes to our local communities, we can do more but the more that we can do cannot be entirely in mining.

There are other opportunities that you can take, and we are open to assisting you. Have the zeal and courage to be an employer and not an employee. Create your own businesses.”  

“We are here to provide guidance and inform locals and the government that we are ready to assist locals who are interested in starting businesses, whether crop production, farming, etc. We will support development initiatives.”

  He also encouraged locals to study, “Some schools are turning into white elephants, let’s study hard and get educated so we can have access to better opportunities.”

  “We should end roadblocking as this action does nothing constructive for us locals. Roadblocks prevent many opportunities from happening. When production at the mine is lost, this also hinders our ability to create alternatives jobs.” “. The mine is not sitting back and doing nothing. We are actively involved in our communities.” In the improvement of local communities, Booysendal is tapping into improving childhood development. “Let us look into childhood development, let us improve the lives of toddlers. Initiate programs that will uplift them, as they are our future leaders. “Let’s also put the effort in empowering our women, we want to see independent women in business.” Selowa also encouraged local youths to engage in sporting activities. “There is a willingness to assist locals in many aspects including education, sport and other activities.”

In conclusion, Selowa advised parents in farm areas to guide their children. “One of our challenges is the high rate of teenage pregnancies. Encourage your children to study; we need engineers, metallurgists, and managers from these areas.”

  Jonas Mohlala from the Booysendal Community Trust thanked all stakeholders who advised and assisted locals on the day. He said that the Trust aims to improve the lives of locals surrounding the mine. Such outreach programmes have also been planned for the Skaapskraal, Draaikraal, Bosfontein, Kiwi and Shaga farm areas.

The event was concluded with locals testing for various diseases such as TB, HIV/AIDS and high blood pressure. They also tested for cholesterol and were vaccinated for Covid-19

  Bluemoon Mashegoane, a resident, told Steelburger/Lydenburg News that the outreach programme was beneficial.

“I am glad because I now know my status and I can spot the signs of TB. I will continue living a healthy and clean life. I will also advise my family to get tested.” “I also got tips on how to draft my curriculum vitae and how to access funds for opening businesses, this program was indeed beneficial to the local youths.”