Inkosi gives Somkhele mine blessing

Despite ongoing tensions around the Somkhele-based Tendele coal mine, the Inkosi gave mining operations his blessing at a traditional ceremony on Wednesday.

Inkosi of the Mpukunyoni Traditional Council (MTC), Ntokozo Mkhwanazi, said the blessing of his royal household and ancestors would straighten out issues between the opposing sides of the mine.

He said there was uncertainty regarding whether mining had commenced, with certain members of the community feeling like they had been left in the dark.

However, Mkhwanazi clarified that actual mining could not have commenced without Wednesday’s traditional ceremony and blessing.

Ongoing tensions

Recently, residents in eMalahleni – including the Mfolozi Community Environmental Justice Organisation (MCEJO) – staged a protest to hand over a memorandum of demands to the mine.

However, Inkosi Mkhwanazi said the MTC supports the mine operating in the area.

“We are very happy about this next step that is being taken. People have been unemployed for some time now and we hope the mine and the community will grow and prosper,” he said.

Inkosi Mkhwanazi said he has unsuccessfully reached out to MCEJO through written communication sent to the organisation’s legal representatives, to arrange discussions and find solutions.

Business and union support

Wednesday’s ceremony was supported by unions and members of the business fraternity.

The chair of the KZN coastal region of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), Mahlokohloko Mkhwanazi, said the union must be kept abreast of all processes.

Top of the union’s agenda are employment opportunities created for locals, and community benefits, including adequate rehabilitation of the environment in areas where mining operations have ceased.

Mkhwanazi said remaining worker-related issues will be ironed out with the mine and added that there are about 144 mine workers working at opening the pit at eMalahleni.

Mkhwanazi further said it is estimated that a total of 399 people will be employed at eMalahleni, with 67% of these being the local skilled workers who were let go when the mine halted operations and the rest suitably qualified people from the community.

Sipho Mathunjwa of the business sector said Wednesday’s proceedings were a ‘historical’ moment which business people are ‘really happy about’.

“We have been hoping and waiting for this day, and going forward we hope nothing will disturb the mine because it is here to change the lives of the people of Mpukunyoni,” said Mathunjwa.

He commended the mine for its transparency regarding mining-related activities, explaining that a meeting with the operators in June left local business people satisfied ‘about the process going forward and the stages that will follow’.

The mine’s Nathi Kunene said the date for the actual commencement of mining has not been announced.

“We are, however, busy with fencing and the removal of trees, and those two projects are being executed by local people,” he said.

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