North West mining ventures make up 20% of South Africa’s mining industry, while more than 90% of the country's platinum comes from the province’s mines.

But a number of mines were over the years closed for various reasons and Job Dliso, the provincial secretary of Cosatu in the North West agrees that the closure of mines in the province has escalated the number of people unemployed.

This comes after Statistics South Africa released the unemployment statistics for 2019’s quarter one on Tuesday, revealing that the unemployment rate had risen to 27,6% from 27,1% at the end of 2018.

According to Stats SA, North West’s unemployment rate is currently sitting at 26,4% and Dliso believes the only way unemployment can be tackled in the province is by resuscitating the mining sector.

He says since a number of mines closed in the province, many people battled to make ends meet and actually lost their jobs, hence the unemployment shot up not only in the province but in the entire country.

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He also appealed to the incoming provincial government to establish a process where job creation would be top of their list.

OFM News/Michael Tlhakudi