This, after the Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Bulelani Magwanishe, said they aim to contribute to job creation and increase investment in their immediate communities during the launch in Welkom. 

This mining city has in the past months made headlines with residents embarking on protests regarding lack of employment opportunities and services by the financially troubled Matjhabeng Local Municipality. During the national Cosatu shutdown in February, the members of the union and its affiliates assembled in Welkom to express their dissatisfaction with the increasing job losses at mines around the city of Welkom. 

The union’s provincial Secretary, Monyatso oa Mahlatsi, said they were extremely concerned with retrenchments in this city as the mines in the Matjhabeng District have for years been the economic hub of the province. He said he foresees a deepening crisis in this district as some mines close down while others increasingly retrench workers and that an urgent economic booster was needed.  

OFM News