OPINION: It seems that Gwede Mantashe is not paying sufficient attention to the core principles of constitutional democracy that puts citizens at the centre of shaping their futures, writes MamphelaR
It seems that Gwede Mantashe is not paying sufficient attention to the core principles of constitutional democracy that puts citizens at the centre of shaping their futures, writesThe Amadiba people of Xolobeni are going though a nightmare of seeing their heritage being threatened by the extractive clutches of an Australian mining company, MCR.
Minister Gwede Mantashe seems prepared to side-step a high court judgment that reaffirmed the rights of the Amadiba over their land on the basis that he suspects that"within the next ten years theis systematically shifting from government to communities, and if we do that there will be no mining." One would have thought that Mantashe as a former migrant worker in the industry, leader of National Union of Mine Workers, former chair of the SACP, former ANC secretary general, and now chair of the ANC that styles itself as the leader of society, would demonstratesuch as the Amadiba, instead of resenting their determination to assert their rights.
These cases make a mockery of the pronouncements of the ANC that it is determined to restore land to its real owners. Amending Section 25 of the Constitution to effect land restitution without compensation is a distraction from the core problem – the lack of political will by the ANC government to implement land reform efficiently. Impunity in corruption and criminal neglect of rural communities by public officials in all provinces is a crying shame.
In addition, enforcing social and labour plans as well as land rehabilitation by mining companies could create thousands of jobs young people on the Witwatersrand to address the ecological disasters that are looming.
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