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Mpumalanga Provincial Government convenes a mining stakeholder’s meeting

By Dudu Shaba

11 May 2017

Mining Industry Stakeholder Forum MeetingMpumalanga Premier David Mabuza convened a Mining Industry Stakeholder Forum Meeting aimed at creating a permanent structure that will collaborate government and the mining companies in the province, look into the economic growth of the province, creation of jobs for the youth, skills development and also to adress the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality.

In his opening remarks at the Mining Industry Stakeholder Forum Meeting held at the Council Chamber Building, Nkangala District Municipality, Middelburg, he said that bringing government together with mining corporates, industry experts, business people and the youth in the industry under one umbrella will create opportunities for the Mpumalanga Province to position itself as a competitive destination, attractive for investment. Premier Mabuza said that the convergence will also create an opportunity towards the economic recovery in the province.

“We want to create a permanent forum and a hub that will strengthen the mining industry in the province, address unemployment, look at skills development and support Maths and Science in the province. When we are working together we will easily know the needs and the challenges faced by our people, and also be able to plan and coordinate issues surrounding growth in our province collectively,” he said.

According to the key findings on the state of mining in the Mpumalanga province, presented by Muzi Mkhize, Head of Department, Department of Economic Development &Tourism, Mpumalanga Provincial Government, Mpumalanga hosted 219 mines owned by 142 companies in 2016, 52976 individuals were recorded in the fourth quarter of 2016 to have been employed by the Mpumalanga mining industry, of this number, 37, 5 % are youth.

The key findings also stated that the Department of Minerals and Resources has reported that the mining industry has reached the 40% target of black representation in all categories but African females are still underrepresented at 10.5%.

According to the report, the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality pose a serious threat to social cohesion, political stability, safety and security. The report also goes on to state that the youth comprise of about 70% of Mpumalanga’s 4.3 million population, making Mpumalanga the youngest province in the country.

Amongst others, the report recommended that in order to obtain radical economic transformation through mining, there is still a lot of work to be done to realize the direct employment of locals. That there should be skills training, enterprise development opportunities for unemployed local youths, procurement targets should be biased towards the youth, labour and education institutions must also participate in the forum, Social and Labour Plans (SLP’s) and Corporate Social Investment initiatives should be aligned to the priorities of the province’s Vision 2030.

Meanwhile CEO, Mpumalanga Regional Training Trust (MRTT), Mr. R. Oosthuisen, reported in the meeting that MRTT, in partnership with Hydra ARC engaged in an Artisan Development Programme for Out-Of School Youth in order to produce a competent trade tested artisan. He stated that there is currently 1173 learners on the programme in different stages, he also mentioned that learners are engaging in a 3 year programme which leads to eligibility to complete a trade test, which may consist of different implementation routes, depending on their qualifications.

During the meeting, Mr. Oosthuisen recommended that the forum support and form partnership with the programme to assist with securing workplace training opportunities for learners during in-service training.

With regards to the skills hub, he recommended that the forum support the establishment of the Provincial Skills Hub.

“My recommendation would be that the Provincial Skills Hub be supported with funding, involvement in the innovation and work labs, with project initiation based on specific needs, sponsorship of skills development initiatives and special projects.

Some of the recommendations from the meeting were that SLP projects need to be collaborated, creative ways of deploying financial resources to the youth should be developed, mining companies need to partner with government in order to alleviate poverty, financial resources need to be mobilized for skills development, government should assist smaller mining companies not to be shut down because they have a huge role to play in the industry and society.

Premier Mabuza said another meeting will be convened this month where more representatives from the mining industry and the youth will be attending, he said that the meeting will chant a strong way forward and take the forum to the next level of progression.

“The youth want jobs, some need skills so that they can be gainfully employed, we want to assist them,” Premier Mabuza concluded.

Issued by Communications Chief Directorate