MACHADODORP – The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in the Nkangala region has lambasted mining magnate Patrice Motsepe’s donation of toys to kids in Machadodorp.
Motsepe, through his foundation, on November 22, donated toys to kids in the Entokozweni and Emgwenya communities.
Speaking to Highveld Chronicle, SANCO regional secretary Hamzer Ngwenya labelled the donation as an insult to the communities of Machadodorp and Waterval Boven.
He said the two towns have now turned into ghost towns, due to the closure of two mining companies owned by Motsepe.
Ngwenya added that Motsepe prioritised toys over employment in the affected communities.
The Motsepe Foundation embarked on a toy distribution roadshow in the Emakhazeni municipality, where Patrice Motsepe owns two former big companies, namely ARM Machadodorp Works and Nkomati Mine.
According to Ngwenya, the two companies were key players in the economy of the Emakhazeni municipality before their closure.
“It is evident enough that the closure of both companies by Mr Patrice Motsepe has unfortunately created a high level of unemployment and a sea of poverty within the communities of Entokozweni, Machadodorp, Emgwenya, and Waterval Boven. While the communities of Entokozweni and Emgwenya are hopeful for the reopening of Nkomati Mine and ARM Machadodorp Works,” Ngwenya said in a statement.
“What is also disturbing is the choice of toys he is distributing, the majority of which are not educational. Mr Motsepe does not care about the plight of our communities because, to him, it is business as usual while our communities are swimming in the sea of poverty. Mr Motsepe prioritises publicity over poverty eradication and job creation.”
“What perplexes SANCO most is the unavailability of real reasons why the two companies are closed, while Nkomati Mine still has a lot of minerals underneath. SANCO is very disheartened and depressed by the inhumane and hostile behaviour of Mr Patrice Motsepe’s board of directors towards the communities of Emgwenya and Entokozweni. It is very disappointing that all the creches that are beneficiaries of the toys were never consulted on their needs. Hence, we view the roadshow as a grandstanding programme.”
Ngwenya said his organisation is calling upon Motsepe to immediately revive and open the two companies situated in the Emakhazeni municipality.
“We also call on Minister Gwede Mantashe to intervene and mediate between our communities and Mr Motsepe in order to help the process of reopening the mine and the smelter,” he said.
“SANCO strongly believes that Mr Motsepe has what it takes to economically liberate the community of Emgwenya and Entokozweni. Currently, the two towns have turned into ghost towns after the closure of both Nkomati Mine and ARM Machadodorp Works. The solution to revive the towns is in Mr Motsepe’s hands.”
The paper reached out to one of the board members of the Motsepe Foundation, who stated that they will respond after the matter has been discussed internally.
