Activism Called Me in 2001, And I Never Looked Back

Masithela zulu

by Masithela Zulu

I realized that as back as in 2001/2 I should push to become an activist after attending a few
workshops conducted by Section 21 Companies ZAMANI and PATAMAR HOLDINGS those were giving
us good lessons but unfortunately on the contrary the mining houses were not compliant and fewer
people would understand that we the communities are seriously compromised. I therefore decided
to work closely with the politicians and traditional leaders that’s where I happened to gather a little
more understanding of the injustices taking place among sets our communities. I am still working on
finding solutions on how to assist improve the lives of my people. I’ve always wanted to associate
myself with people who same sentiments as mine.

After counting most of the mining operations around the area I’ve seen a huge potential of growth
and development which is yet to be realized. I even found myself sitting in a meeting with high-
profile individuals like your Mayors, MEC, etc. and it was revealed that Sekhukhune has more than 30
mines but the unemployment rate is bad at 60%. In the efforts of trying to find solutions to the crisis,
you find that the trusted so-called leader of the respective communities has got a get rich quick or
die trying syndrome mentality and quit, which makes them look desperate and vulnerable. In essence when
you think that some operations are more than 3 decades old but there’s no stadium at least to
mention one facility their SLP Plans and programs are hidden and even if you can pressure them
harder to come out they turn to obfuscate. It’s really a crisis that needs a very focused and
determined leadership to turn around this wrongfully set president.

Mining beatification helps turn around the situation that our communities find themselves in.
Unfortunately, maladministration and corruption are recipes for the injustices that we see across our
mining-rich societies.