Table of Contents:

NOTES FOR A SPEECH BY PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA AT SIFIKILE VILLAGE

Rustenburg, 18 October 1997

Premier of the North-West Province;
President and Secretary-General of the
National Union of Mineworkers;
The community of Sifikile;
Friends

Introduction

The opening of a mine near to where people live calls for celebration in
nearby communities. A celebration because job opportunities are created people's
standard of living improves and local economic activity is boosted.

Today I wonder if we can say the same about Sifikile. Yes, the mines around
you might have brought some of these benefits. But in the last few months they
also brought pain to this community. Lives have been lost as a result of
violence that emanates from conflicts on the mine.

The government is extremely concerned about this. For us, one loss of life is
one too many. I came here today, not only to show our concern, but to say:
Enough is enough!

Violence militates against development

The Greater Rustenburg area is a good example of what can be achieved when
local, provincial and national government co-operate under conditions of peace.
Many development projects have taken root since 1994. We think for example of
residents of Boitekong who were trained by the Tsholofelo Community College, and
electrified their own village.

A variety of programmes have been started to ensure that development
throughout the Northwest Province reaches more people. I have heard of the
remarkable idea by the local government in Rustenburg to use empty factories as
spaces for training unemployed youth. This is an important and creative
contribution to one of our biggest needs. I am sure that the young people of
this community will take up the challenge and eagerly lap up the knowledge and
skills that these centres will provide.

This and many more other changes and achievements we should be proud of.
However, some communities are being dragged into a vicious cycle of violence
that undermines our efforts to improve the way we live.

South Africans have worked hard for democratic change, especially mines
workers, who continue to make an important contribution to the economy of our
country. This is all the more reason for us to create a peaceful, stable and
safe environment, so that miners and the communities to which they belong can
enjoy to the full our hard-won freedom; and so that we can use the rich
resources of our nation to produce the things people need.

There is no reason why we should not work together to end this violence.
Sifikile community leaders should get involved in attempts to bring conflicting
parties together talk peace. It is difficult to imagine who gains from this
violence. What is certain, however, is that mine workers themselves are losing
by it. No legitimate interest can be served through fanning the flames of
violence.

Workers must unite for common good

There is no place in our new democracy for people to organise through
violence and terror. Workers on the mines, who are still labouring under
conditions that need improving, must be vigilant.

It is clear to all of us that the NUM is being targeted fro a vicious
campaign by forces who do not want change in South Africa. They hate the NUM for
its principled stand against apartheid; for its constructive contribution to
change in our country; for its determination to fight for workers' rights.

In examining this violence, we must look behind the poor workers who are
being used against their own interests. We know there is a hidden hand which
preys on tribal sentiments; a hidden had which seeks to use blacks to undermine
our new democracy.

I call on all mineworkers to refuse to be used as pawns against their own
good. Yes, all of us have the right to free association. But that is not a right
to use violence; it is not a right to kill and to maim. I must assure those who
rely on violence that they will be dealt with severely.

We will deploy maximum security measures to uphold the law and to protect
lives and property. We will ensure that those suspected of murder and related
offences are hunted down and brought to book. We will not allow anyone to take
the law into their own hands, or to use violence and murder to achieve their
selfish ends.

However, lasting solutions cannot be found by security measures alone.
Workers themselves, employers and members of the affected communities must see
the need for peace and all become part of the efforts to bring back stability
and security in their own places of work and dwelling.

Importance of the mining industry

We are interested in the resolution of these problems because we do not want
to see lives lost. In addition, we must find solutions because it is our duty to
protect our mining industry. We know that employers in the mines benefited from
apartheid. But they have an important role to play today in creating a new
society. Many mining companies are contributing to creating a new culture in the
mines. Many are assisting in projects to build schools and clinics in the rural
areas.

I appeal to all employers on the mines to contribute to peace in this area. I
appeal to all of them to work with the NUM and other unions to find creative
ways of addressing the problems of unemployment and mass retrenchments. Training
of workers in other skills, and expanding investments in new industries are but
some of the solutions that we should all work for.

Conclusion

Greater Rustenburg has achieved impressive growth rates. This brings great
opportunities and enormous challenges. We need to ensure that growth benefits
all. Together we must develop and implement programmes that improve the lives of
ordinary people, especially workers, and at the same time create new employment.
As we succeed in this area, we will slowly but surely be taking forward the
national programme of reconstruction and development.

Your presence here today sends out a strong message: that the people of
Sifikile and the North-West Province will not succumb to backward agendas.

Together, we have laid the foundation for a better life.

Together, let us move forward in peace.

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