Nelson Mandela‘s twentieth anniversary

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) adds its voice to the many in wishing its Honorary President and former President of the Republic Nelson Mandela well on the 20th anniversary of his release. Nelson Mandela whom the NUM conferred an Honorary life Presidency long before his release in 1990 is a symbol of hope to many hopeless and impoverished people across the globe and continues to inspire hope amongst mineworkers.

Parliament of the previous administration resolved to investigate the conditions of mineworkers given the historical role they played in the economy as well as in the industrialization of South Africa . The NUM calls on the current Parliament to implement that resolution.

"Employ 100% locals"

The NUM is highly perturbed by the notion adopted by Balfour and other mining communities' in calling on the local mine to employ locals only. South Africa is a single united country in which all people enjoy freedom of movement and the right to work any where. "The idea of saying residents of Balfour should be the only ones employed in the area is problematic for many reasons. What if it become a national issue and people of Carletonville, Johannesburg , Pretoria and other areas say the same?" says Frans Baleni, the NUM General Secretary.

Call on the LOC

The National Union of Mineworkers calls on the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to honour its commitment to provide free tickets to construction workers who had worked so hard to deliver the stadia, many of whom are currently unemployed. "It will indeed be a good gesture given that many of them have now retired to be job-seekers on completion of the national assignment" says Baleni.

Statement issued by Frans Baleni, NUM General Secretary, February 10 2010

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