Programme Director; MEC for Health Mr S. Gqobana,
Deputy Minister of Health: Dr Gwen Ramokgopa,
Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources, Mr Godfrey Oliphant,
Mayor of OR Tambo District Municipality: Cllr Meth,
Mayor of KSD local Municipality: Cllr Ngqongwa,
MECs, MP's, Executive Mayors,
CEO of Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, Ms Makwedini
Ex-Mine Workers
Ladies and gentlemen.
Thank you for inviting me to be among you today; a day which marks a very important milestone in the history of our political and economic development. Earlier this morning, I had the honour of officially opening the first One Stop Service Centre for ex-mineworkers and the community of Mthatha. I will elaborate more on the different components of the One Stop Service later on in my remarks.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The mining sector in South Africa is an integral component of the southern Africa economy. It employs 500 000 mine workers, and has a legacy of about 2 million ex-mine workers from many parts of the world including here in South Africa and in particular from this province of the Eastern Cape.
Historically, there has been a fragmented approach to the provision of a wide range of social services for current and ex-mineworkers at multiple levels, across sectors, government departments, countries and the region.
Government acknowledges the importance of the mining sector for the economy, job creation and contribution to social and economic development.
We also recognise the impact of this sector on the environment, the health of those who work in the mines, the impact on the communities living in the areas surrounding the mines and many other challenges.
Of particular concern for a very long time has been the issue of the inhumane conditions under which mine workers live and work, the challenges emanating from the migrant labour system and the treatment meted out to ex -mineworkers once they are too ill to work or are retired due to other social and health related complications.
These are issues we have been grappling with since the dawn of our democracy and we continue to do so today. It is tragic that some of the people who should have rightfully benefitted from these services have passed on, and instead of allowing this reality to dampen our efforts, we should be encouraged that by continuing to confront these challenges we will be able to find solutions as evidenced here today.
As government, we have sought to address these issues through the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee comprising all relevant government departments tasked with establishing appropriate platforms at all levels and ensuring that technical work is done to facilitate access for beneficiaries and their families.
The work resulted in the creation of a One Stop Service delivery framework.
The One Stop Deliver Service Framework provides for:
- Setting up a comprehensive database for current and ex- mineworkers
- Mapping current mines, the workers employed and range of services provided
- Access to comprehensive health services, including screening and rehabilitation
- Access to compensation benefits
- Access to social protection benefits such as unemployment insurance, pension and provident fund benefits.
This initiative is supported by employer organisations, the private sector, various development partners, civil society, associations of ex-mineworkers and governments of other labour sending countries such as Mozambique, Lesotho, Swaziland and others in the region.
It is thus an honour for me to be here to officially open the first One Stop Service Centre in our country. This Centre will provide health and rehabilitation services, social services, and compensation and benefit management services for the mine-workers and their beneficiaries.
Given that the Centre is located within the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital Complex, the resources, expertise and equipment will also be used for members of the community thus improving efficiencies and extending benefits to all who need them.
Lessons learnt from this Centre will be applied to other Centres that are going to be established in other provinces.
On behalf of government, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the partners and stakeholders who continue to work with us to address the wide variety of challenges that confront us as South Africans. Working together we can achieve much more and I urge you all to uphold this spirit.
Program Director,
I am confident that everyone here agrees with me that today will go down as an important day in the history of our country because we are paying tribute to the legacy of two leaders of our struggle for emancipation - Tata Mandela and OR Tambo.
I am confident that the community and health providers will ensure that these facilities are utilized efficiently towards the realization of a long and healthy life for all.
I thank you!
