Future coal gives back to the community

Zamokwakhe Shabalala

16-07-2024

Name: Zamokwakhe Shabalala

Village: Normandien Farm

Municipality: Newcastle municipality

Province: KwaZulu Natal

 

Future coal gives back to the community

On 12 July 2024, the future coal was given back to the Community with winter Jackets in two schools at Normandien. Gigimani primary school and Haig Secondary school. Since Sisonke was fighting with this mine for many years to comply with MPRDA. We monitored the mine in terms of a social labor plan until today.

When we started a struggle in nearby villages it was not nice because some people believed that we wanted to chase their opportunity. But when times going holding a community meeting, all community members were release that it’s very important to get more information regarding mines and what community benefits when mines are extracted from their village in terms of SLP and what is needed when mining is done to extract coal in this area, it’s need to do Rehabilitation. The Owner of a mine Rob Pride and his Colleagues were a part of this gathering.

All communities are located near this mine, Exmoor farm, Bahlekazi, Sharp line, and Hope farm, bridging all these areas this mine was given job opportunities and the community of Exmoor farm was given a garden to produce their food and sell to the market. Last year was offered the community members a training skill in mine machines (Dump trucks, Front loaders, and excavators) where to get Certificates.

 

“According to me, it seems like we did a good job in our community as Sisonke to defend the dignity of rural people and affected communities by mines. And to create a platform where all people will exercise their Rights and demand their benefits. It’s an achievement for us as Sisonke. It was not an easy struggle when we started because some members of the organization got Court orders some were arrested, get treats but we didn’t give up because we were fighting against injustice”