Impoverished South Africans want more from Mining Companies

Impoverished South Africans want more from mines, prompting sometimes violent protests

MATLOU, South Africa — Impoverished and angry South Africans held a marathon march across a platinum-rich corner of the country Friday to demand that a multinational mining company share more wealth.

“They are making millions here, but the community around is getting nothing,” said 21-year-old Olebogeng Tseleng, who rose at 5 a.m. for a march that later started in her village of tin shacks and modest brick or cement homes, none with indoor plumbing.

In Freedom Park Township in Rustenburg, South Africa on Friday 17, 2012 a police officer entered a store that had been looted. This followed the mass layoff at a mine after a strike for higher wages was declared illegal.

In Marlou, a picked line marched about 12 miles and took five hours with protesters in a series of villages strung between the rocky hill to the west and giant platinum mine to the east, the mine is owned by multinational company Xstrata.

Xstrata spokesman Songezo Zibi made statements that the mine once under operation as it transforms from a strip to an underground operation could employee up to 3000 workers by 2016 and those could come from local laborers. But, He did address the inequality that has been focus of much tension in South Africa, and understand that the country has high rates of unemployment and poverty. But, he did address the mining companies could only do so much to help, and changing inequities would take time.

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Article provide by the Washington Post, reported on by By Associated Press, Updated: Friday, February 17, 11:16 AM