On a more serious note, Minister, I must say that I was pleased that you mentioned the Fraser Institute report, because we've been very concerned by what was in that report. Barry Sergeant of Moneyweb wrote an article on this. What is really of concern is that we are now ranked 61 out of 72 countries. We managed to beat Zimbabwe and the DRC, and I think that's nothing to be proud of. The data that was used for this report came from over 3 000 companies in the industry, and although it's based on their perceptions and opinions, I think it's very important that we not be blas or defensive about this. I was really heartened by your stance, Minister, that we must take it seriously and try to find a way to engage with these issues in order to overcome those perceptions.
But, unfortunately, debacles such as the Sishen mining rights grab that has been mentioned already, the ANC-linked Chancellor House mining company activities, and things like the Grootvlei mine, don't really assist with the image of the industry or of our country. I think these are the challenges that require your immediate attention, Minister. You really have to walk the walk and not just talk the walk about tenderpreneurs, even if they are people from your own organisation.
When it comes to the perception of corruption, although the incidents are isolated, I really think that those of us in the portfolio committee can attest to the fact that it really is a shame, because when we engage with the department in that committee, it is quite clear that they are taking the issues seriously and making a genuine attempt to address the challenges facing the industry. I think it's been really refreshing for us to engage with officials who are open and frank about the problems, rather than being defensive. But it's no good that we have that engagement while we have people outside undermining the efforts of a department that's trying to do the right thing.
Some of the concerns that the committee has identified and engaged the department on include the pace of transformation, illegal mining and the contamination of the water table in Gauteng, and opportunities for small miners. I would like to add an issue, Minister, that I hope you will take up - and that is the competitiveness of the mining services industry in our country.
Given all the experience of mining in South Africa, more of our companies in this sector should be continental or global players, but unfortunately they're not. Canadians and Australians are snapping up all the opportunities on the continent, and beating our companies to the finish line. I think that's because, although we prioritise mining, the government, in terms of industrial strategy, has not prioritised that sector. I know it doesn't fall under your immediate department, Minister, but quite clearly the Department of Trade and Industry is not taking this seriously. In the committee we have agreed that we will engage with the department, but I think if you were to champion it as well, Minister, it would go a long way.
The biggest problem that we face in the country is that we've got all this mining potential, but we don't have the capital to realise these opportunities. I think the main challenge is that we don't have a coherent vision or strategy of how we're going to ensure that companies mine in a sustainable way while we engage with the issue of transformation.
As we have observed in the committee, transformation is slow and the industry is still dominated by a few big players. But something will have to give if there's going to be transformation, and that's the debate that we need to have. This is because transformation isn't only about the number of women or the number of black people in the industry; it's also about bridging the wage gap between workers and the management in companies. It's also about ensuring that there are opportunities that benefit everybody in our country, rather than a select few individuals. And, importantly, it's also about mining in a way that leaves a positive legacy for future generations.
I was in Kimberley at the spot where the road has collapsed because there's been no rehabilitation of a mine of one of the big companies there. We've seen this issue of the poisoned water table in Gauteng, and it's those sorts of things that we, as future generations, are going to have to pay for. I'm very happy, Minister, that you have taken up this issue and that you are going to deal with the issue of a rehabilitation programme. But the truth is that government also has to take a tougher stance on this issue in relation to private companies, because I think that they've been getting away with murder. In the future, we, as a country, are not going to be able to fund continually cleaning up after people who have made super profits, and then leave and go overseas.
In addition, we know that the global economic crisis - which we know has cost the industry anywhere between 100 000 and 150 000 jobs - is thankfully and hopefully at the tail end, and the industry is now back on the upswing. But last time around, when we had an upswing, we were unable to capitalise on it as a country. We missed the last upswing in terms of resources. I think one of the things that you will have to do, Minister, is tell us how you intend ensuring that we have a strategy as a country to take the next global upswing of resources and benefit in a sustainable way.
Part of that debate is how we reconfigure the relationship between government, business and labour. Currently, I don't think that we are seeing the best coming out of the industry, because of the combative nature of some of the issues that are raised around transformation; but, equally, I think that the reality is that workers in this industry have taken such a beating over the years, their unions are weak, and they are not able to make the kind of contribution that we need to ensure that we have a sustainable industry.
I'm glad also, Minister, that you spoke about beneficiation, but we must be honest: We've talked about it forever. We are really paying lip service to this issue. Minister, what are you going to do practically to ensure beneficiation? We say it every year, but we don't see anything. We've got institutes and we throw money at them, but what is the concrete strategy to promote beneficiation? That's what you have to tell us. What is the policy mix that will make our country attractive to investors while ensuring transformation? Thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]