SASOLBURG – Dozens of unemployed Metsimaholo residents took to the streets in a week-long peaceful march, beginning August 19, to demand fair access to job opportunities at Natref Refinery and Sasol.
According to community leaders, the demonstrations were sparked by what they described as repeated acts of betrayal by Sasol and its Natref subsidiary.
Speaking to Ster, community leader Moeketsi Mekoa said Sasol had previously committed to ensuring Metsimaholo residents were given a fair chance to participate in upcoming projects, including the Natref maintenance shutdown scheduled for August 18.
“In good faith, our community responded. More than 1 500 CVs were submitted through the forums. Yet to date, only four residents received calls from Sasol recruiters – and none were hired,” Mekoa said.
He accused the company of going back on its promise.
“Instead of honouring its word, Sasol has chosen to import workers from Secunda to take jobs that rightfully belong to Metsimaholo’s unemployed. This is nothing short of a provocation,” he said.
With Mzansi’s unemployment rate sitting at 32.6% (43.4% by the expanded definition), the highest in the world, Sasol stakeholders chairperson Daniel Mosethe said Metsimaholo has thousands of young people roaming the streets without work or hope.
“Sasol’s actions are an insult. By bypassing local labour, Natref is fuelling poverty, frustration, and inequality,” he said.
“This march is not just about jobs, it’s about dignity, justice, and accountability. We demand Sasol and Natref cancel the importation of outside labour, hire locally from the 1 500 CVs already submitted, and implement transparent recruitment processes that prioritise Metsimaholo residents.”
Mosethe warned that failure to comply will result in intensified community resistance.
“We remind Sasol: your operations sit on Metsimaholo land. Our people will not be spectators while outsiders reap the benefits.” Sasol confirmed receiving a memorandum from representatives of the United Forms of Metsimaholo Sasol Recognised Stakeholder Forum.
According to the Senior Vice President of Sasol’s Sasolburg and Natref Operations, Ntokozo Gcabashe, Sasol values strong relationships with its fenceline communities and acknowledges and respects the community’s right to peacefully protest.
However, Sasol wishes to reaffirm that its preferred approach to resolving concerns is through constructive engagement.
“Sasol acknowledges and respects the community’s right to peacefully protest; however, we wish to reaffirm that our preferred approach to resolving concerns is through constructive engagement,” said Gcabashe.
“We believe that meaningful dialogue, mutual respect, and collaborative problem-solving are the most effective ways to address stakeholder issues and drive sustainable outcomes. We will therefore continue to work through established structures to build inclusive and sustainable solutions in partnership with our stakeholders,” she said.
