Newsletter| It appeared to be a very sweet deal: R100 000 cash, a custom-built house, a R15 000 redecorating allowance, and 20 years of free municipal rates. But still, some Dingleton residents are unhappy with Kumba Iron Ore's offer to relocate them
A new home, free municipal rates for 20 years, a decorating budget, R100 000 and more perks, but some Siyathemba residents are still unhappy
Dingleton, formerly known as Sishen, was established as a mining town in 1953 by apartheid state-owned company Iscor.In 2007, Kumba’s bosses realised that to extend the mine’s life, they would need to expand it towards the edge of the old town.Siyathemba, where most residents moved to last year, boasts new face-brick homes, replete with solar panels and a JoJo tank each.
Others who moved are now complaining that they were not given everything the mine promised them, and are entitled to more. They also bemoan their lost sense of community. “Dingleton was fun for me as a child growing up. Life was enjoyable that side. When we got here, there was no longer that love.”“As young people, we now have no social life. Crime is high in Kathu, and drugs, and some of the young people are adopting those things. There are no activities for young people,” Oor said.But last week, Mkhwanazi and the Gamagara Local Municipality mayor, Edwin Hantise, handed over the youth centre.
“Kumba didn’t treat us all the same. Some people got better deals and houses than others. Some people on the other side of the suburb are getting a ‘third room allowance’ and we’re not.”Three other residents agreed life was better in Dingleton. But some are happy – including small business owners like Christo de Kokker, who owns a construction company. The move secured him a three-year contract to build some of the new suburb’s facilities, such as the youth centre.
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