A town of joy becomes a town of sorrow

Tshepo Tsie

By: Tshepo Tsie

Nyakallong is an African word that comes from the Tswana and Sesotho languages. Nyakallo translates to “joy.” Our township has been and ought to be a joyful place. Founded as a mining community in 1947, Allanridge was discovered in 1950. It bears Allan Roberts’ name. Later, Nyakallong was created as a township to accommodate miners. The township is in a gold mining area. You will discover a mine wherever you go. Matjhabeng Local Municipality’s wealthy township.

 

In the past, Nyakallong was a rapidly growing community where almost every household had a mine worker. Unfortunately, our community has in recent years become a miserable place. There is a terrible situation in our community. There are now only two or three workers at the mine on one street. Others simply remain at qualifying residences. Our township has a high unemployment rate because only one in four gold mines is currently operating. All three of the others are closed down. Our township has not progressed; the employment rate at that one mine is very low. Most of my community members are not working. Our community has illegal mining; there are a lot of Zama Zamas in my hometown. There is a high rate of school dropouts. There is nothing that our mine is doing for the community.

 

Our pumping station is in the Voelpan, which causes our township to overflow with sewage leaks. Although the dam was well-maintained in the past, the Harmony Mine’s new administration is solely releasing its hazardous water into the Voelpan. Not only has the pumping station been impacted by the Voelpan dam, but some homes within the Voelpan are affected.

 

Our last challenge is the tailings. Our township is close to two mine tailings and one rock dump, which blow dust to the township when it is windy.

 

We are pleading with the Harmony mine to take responsibility for everything they have done to our community and to employ the community members.