Cape Town – President Jacob Zuma says at a policy level, government has managed to bring about certainty in the country’s mining sector.
“We believe that at a policy level we have managed to bring about certainty in the mining sector. The nationalisation debate was laid to rest in December at the ruling party’s national conference,” said Zuma in his State of the Nation Address on Thursday.
The sector, which is the backbone of the economy, has faced many difficulties in recent months.
“Last year the sector was hit by wild cat strikes and the tragedy in Marikana where more than 44 people were killed.
“We established an Inter-Ministerial Committee made up of senior cabinet Ministers to assist families during that difficult period. The Judicial Commission of Inquiry led by Judge Ian Farlam continues its work. Through working together we were able to restore social stability in the area,” said the President.
He said government, labour in the form of COSATU, NACTU and FEDUSA, Business Unity SA, Black Business Council and the community sector met in October and reached an agreement which laid the basis for a return to work across the mining industry.
“In particular, we agreed to work together to strengthen collective bargaining; to address the housing problems in the mining towns; to support the National Infrastructure Programme; to address youth unemployment; and to identify measures to reduce inequalities.
“Work is underway and the team will report in due course with specific plans for Rustenburg, Lephalale, Emalahleni, West Rand, Welkom, Klerksdorp, Burgersfort/Steelport, Carletonville and Madibeng,” said the President.
Regarding Anglo American Platinum’s reported plans to restructure and retrench 14 000 workers, Zuma said he had met with the chairman of Anglo-American Plc, John Parker, in meeting in Pretoria to discuss the matter.
Anglo American Platinum earlier this year announced that it was considering retrenching 14 000 workers, but has since put this on hold. - SAnews.gov.za
