Patrick Terrence Ngobeni
My name us Patrick Terrence Ngobeni. I was born Rustenburg, North West province at Job Shemangane hospital and grew up in Kroondal Ikemeleng section.
Ikemeleng is a very area with five mines and contractors, but nothing can bear testimony to that because of the abject poverty that we live in. The existence of the mines hasn’t brought any significant change, instead one of the mines is killing our community with toxic water that flows from the tailings dam directly into the river. Both humans and livestock are terribly affected by this situation.
When Sibanye opens their tailing dam, water that flows from the dam runs into the people’s houses and damages their furniture and property.
Another major problem that we’re facing as the community is lack of dumping space, people use the river bridge as the dumping space. Water flowing from the tailing dam pushes dirty objects from the dumpsite into the community and thus causing serious environmental impact.
We’re also facing a serious of having no high school in Ikemeleng, the high school was moved and learners were taken to different high schools. Others were taken to the boarding school and others couldn’t continue because of their poor background while are plying truancy.
The community of Ikemeleng is crying from the damage caused by the mine but their cries are falling on deaf ears, thing are not getting any better even with the existence of the mines. Mining companies are making a lot of money out the of our land but are not doing anything to assist the community.
