Harmony mine must pumping water into the dam

Tshepo Tsie

by Tshepo Tsie

My name is Tshepo, and I am from a small township called Nyakallong, located between Bothaville and Odendaalsrus. Nyakallong, Allenridge, is a gold mining town in the Lejweleputswa District of the Free State province in South Africa. It was established as a settlement in the Free State Goldfields in 1947 and named after Allan Roberts, whose borehole’s proximity to the gold-bearing reef marked the beginning of mining in the area. The town became a municipality on December 21, 1956.

Problems arose when Harmony Mine took over and ceased maintaining the Voëlpan Dam. Since then, the Voëlpan Dam has been flooding the streets and houses of residents in Nyakallong. The flooding has become the biggest issue for the community, with some members losing their homes.

Our main goal is to make Harmony Mine stop pumping toxic water into the dam, which causes severe flooding during rain. Additionally, we want the mine to build a wall that would prevent cows, goats, sheep, and other animals from consuming this toxic water.

The community of Nyakallong, along with various local organizations, has organized marches and strikes to urge the mine to stop discharging toxic water into the Voëlpan and to contribute positively to the community, as they are using our land. We, the people of Nyakallong, Allenridge, will continue to fight together until we see change. We are committed to working as activists to secure a better future for ourselves and the generations to come. This is our community.