Extract: “The mining sector makes a significant contribution to South Africa’s economy. However, the success of mining operations is supposed to be built on community engagement strategies and ongoing development processes for near mine communities. Very often is unfortunately not the case for mining communities in South Africa and especially for women living in mining communities.
One of the instruments set up to ensure community engagement are Community Engagement Forums (CEFs) of the mines. Sekhukhune is one of the areas in Limpopo with a lot of mining. Twickenham Platinum Mine is one of the mines located in Fetakgomo-Tubatse Local Municipality where communities are affected badly by their operations. The Community Engagement Forum (CEF) of Twickenham Platinum mine has very little female representation. Out of 42 people participating in the forum, only 2 are female. These two females are part of the CEF because they automatically qualified through their positions as ward councilors.
In Sekhukhune, we feel that we are still living in a world where women are undermined and taken for granted. Gender inequality in mining communities is high and there is a high rate of poverty and unemployment among women. Women don’t have access to information about what is happening in their area, are not considered for leadership or decision-making positions and are not represented on Business Forums because they are sidelined.”
Compiled by monitors and facilitators from the Community Monitoring School in Limpopo:
Facilitator: Mmabore Mogashoa
Monitors: Boitumelo Thobejane and Makgoo Victoria
Community Monitoring School Regional Coordinator: Mathapelo Thobejane
▶️read & download this report: www.communitymonitors.net/2023/10/Sekhukhune-Limpopo-Targeted-Investigation-2023.pdf -posted first on Tunatuzama
