Voorsitter en Minister, die VF Plus is bekommerd oor die wyse waarop die regering omgaan met die bates van die land. Ten spyte van ons geweldige minerale rykdom kry ons dit steeds nie reg om di bates om te sit in welvaart nie. Terwyl die res van die wreld hul minerale sektor suksesvol eksploiteer, beweeg Suid-Afrika van een krisis na die ander.
Die probleme wat ons ervaar, spruit voort uit gebrekkige leierskap vanuit die geledere van die myneienaars, unies en die regering. Minister Gordhan het juis gewaarsku dat die land by 'n kruispad is weens hernude arbeidsonrus. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.) [Adv A D ALBERTS: Chairperson and Minister, the FF Plus is concerned about the manner in which the government is dealing with the country's assets. Despite our enormous mineral wealth we are just not able to convert these assets into prosperity. While the rest of the world is successfully exploiting their mineral sector, South Africa is moving from one crisis to another.
The problems that we are experiencing emanate from poor leadership among the ranks of the mine owners, unions and the government. Minister Gordhan has particularly warned that the country is at a crossroads because of the renewed labour unrest.]
In order to seek out solutions to the mining industry's problems, one has to look at the whole picture and the complex interrelations of relationships. It is true that some of the mining bosses earn salaries light years apart from those of the average mineworker. That needs to be addressed, not by tinkering with the market itself but by engaging mining companies on the dangers of allowing such a huge wage gap to exist, especially given the scourge of poverty hanging over most mineworkers.
Also, Minister, transformation in the spirit of Aurora is not the answer for our mining industry, neither is statism by virtue of Alexkor and the African Exploration Mining and Finance Corporation, AEMFC, whose only achievements are near-bankruptcy. Further to this, the relationship between unions themselves and the mining companies need to be addressed. The section 18 limitation in the Labour Relations Act that requires recognition only to a majority union should be amended to allow for a multiplicity of union voices to be recognised, thereby expanding democracy.
Dit bring ons by 'n verdere kommer. Die Minister, wat onbevange behoort op te tree tot voordeel van die algemene publiek, het ongelukkig kant gekies in die stryd tussen die Nasionale Unie van Mynwerkers, NUM, en die Vereniging van Myn- en Konstruksiewerkersunie, Amcu. Dit is in niemand se belang nie. Alhoewel dit maklik is om in samesweringsteorie te glo, sal dit gerade wees indien die Minister eerder objektief optree. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[This brings us to another concern. The Minister, who ought to be acting impartially in favour of the general public, has unfortunately taken sides in the struggle between the National Union of Mineworkers, NUM, and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union, Amcu. This is in nobody's interests. Although it is easy to believe in conspiracy theories, it would be advisable for the Minister rather to act objectively.]
A further concern that is undermining confidence in South Africa's economy is the handling of the contentious matter of the expropriation of mineral rights. While the Constitutional Court did not view the appropriation of mineral rights as expropriation per se, it is trite that the state allowed for the facilitation, whereby rights that existed before were unilaterally alienated.
Given this position, surely the government must provide some compensation to those who have lost their mineral rights? One way of solving the problem is to provide that previous rights holders must share in the profits made by the mining company, as much as connected communities should share therein too. This will provide an equitable and elegant solution to a complex problem. Anything less would make the state nothing but a thief of its citizens' rights.
Die minerale sektor kan baie bydra tot die land se groei, maar mis elke keer die sikliese geleenthede daartoe. Dit moet ernstig aangespreek word, wat nie kan gebeur nie tensy die regering 'n reputasie kan handhaaf as 'n verantwoordelike bestuurder van ons minerale bates. [Tussenwerpsels.] Dit is omdat mense soos julle so skree en praat maar niks doen nie dat die land in so 'n gemors is! [Tussenwerpsels.] Dankie, Voorsitter. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[The mineral sector can contribute a lot to the country's growth, but every time it misses out on the cyclical opportunities to do so. This should be seriously addressed, which cannot take place unless the government is able to maintain a reputation as a responsible manager of our mineral assets. [Interjections.] It is because people like you are shouting and talking but doing nothing that the country is in such a mess! [Interjections.] Thank you, Chairperson.]