The Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA), held a webinar on 10 June 2024 to discuss the election results and the implications that a coalition government would have on mining-affected communities and their struggles for a just and fair mining regime.
What kind of new (and old) challenges would the affected communities face when engaging with those in government and its appointees in the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) given that the DMRE has historically shown that it cares very little about marginalised communities.
So far, there are no political parties that mention mining communities in their coalition demands and this is also the result that none of them cared enough about these communities in their manifestos. This is a brazen indication that the incoming administration, whoever that may be, will not benefit mining affected communities.
In the post elections webinar, Astone Chaole, MACUA’s Head of Political Education, raised concerns about the instability of a Government of National Unity (GNU) due to corruption and the potential for political parties to pull out. This GNU will be comprised of political parties that continue to neglect mining communities, and this has been proven by their inability to engage the marginalised communities.
The webinar emphasised the importance of community involvement in decision-making and holding leaders accountable. A consensus among the speakers in the webinar was the fact that a GNU will likely not work in favour of mining affected communities.
Mobilizing communities and women towards political education is crucial in the face of political neglect. The lack of representation and unfulfilled promises have led to widespread disappointment and lost hope in the current political system.
Edgar Matome, the organiser of the Casual Workers Advice Office, said while this juncture is fraught with uncertainties, it also presents a chance for marginalised communities to put forward their demand to the government.
Even arrogant political parties that only remember the masses during election period are cognisant of the fact that voters are more than capable to punish them for failing to fulfil their commitments. The ANC is a classic example, and others will follow suite, too.
Considering that the incoming administration consists of parties that do not have the best interests of mining affected communities at heart, there is an urgent need for mining communities to engage in mass protests and mobilise for their needs to be addressed. “It is suicide when things are done without consulting communities,” said Matome.
Mining-affected communities are subjected to unemployment, soil erosion resulting in lack of cropland for the unemployed community, water contamination, blasting that lead to communities living in cracked houses, and pollution that results in health issues. With all the impacts, no consultations are made with the communities as the mines do not show any form of care regarding the communities’ experiences and the harsh impacts thereof.
Outside the already harsh conditions of living in a mine community, women go through job exclusion because they are presumed physically unfit and that they lack the ability to take decisions, and sexual harassment which is a concerning issue in mining communities as it is never attended to. Working in mines for women means there is inequality in roles and positions and never receiving recognition.
According to activist Nandi Vanqa-Mgijima the country is faced with a patriarchal form of government which is male dominated and not accommodative to women’s struggles. This is visible in mining communities as neither the DMRE, the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA), and the Mining Charter make mention of women’s struggles in mining communities. They disregard these issues nor do they bother listening to the community’s issues and follow procedure when it comes to how mines treat communities.
One of the proposed solutions to hold leaders accountable is through political education so that mining affected communities can be informed of how the political system and politicians disregard the interests of the marginalised communities.
Once the masses are conscious of the inner workings of the political system, only then communities would be able to counter and challenge the dichotomy and force the agents (politicians) of the capitalist system to consider the needs and demands of mining affected communities.
Another solution to dealing with the injustices imposed on mining communities is for social movements like MACUA to continue empowering communities to fight these mining corporation.
The webinar highlighted the need for progressive policies, community engagement, and value-based politics to address the plight of mining affected communities.