Mpumalanga mining towns have been sharply affected by rising unemployment in the country, leading locals to question why their home region - which is endowed with mineral resources - is experiencing such hardships. Mpumalanga, a coal mining hub that took over from northern KwaZulu-Natal as a mining destination because of its geology, is host to more than 10 coal-fired power stations owned by Eskom.Musawenkosi "Cheppy" Masina, a leader of KwaZamokuhle Employment Forum, said young people in the township, near the mining town of Hendrina, should not be grappling with unemployment."Mining companies should absorb as much as possible here. We are not fighting with them, but they should be giving back because of the profits they make," he said.story_article_left1Referring to the local power station, Masina questioned why there was such a high unemployment rate - in this instance more than 70% .There are three power stations in the area - Arnot, Komati and Hendrina. The town of Hendrina isalso a centre of Mpumalanga's economic activity. Mining companies in the area include Glencore's Optimum Coal, Coal of Africa's Woestalleen colliery, Total Coal's Forzando colliery, and Sudo Coal, among others.Masina said they had established the employment forum in response to the growing number of unemployed young people."We had a situation where councillors were the ones who liaised with mining companies regarding employment opportunities. We have now changed that," he said. "We now conduct public meetings where people bring their CVs and put them in a big container. They are picked haphazardly in a fair and transparent process."In Secunda's Embalenhle township, Chris Manda said the presence of mining companies had not helped the unemployment situation."We have started a co-operative to try and absorb the youth, and unlock economic opportunities for them."We try to engage with the companies here. But so far, nothing tangible is happening," Manda said.Secunda is home to petrochemicals giant Sasol and gold miner Pan African Resources."We have tried to tap into Sasol in line with [its] 30% local procurement [policy]. They have asked for endless documents which we have tried to put together. The Small Enterprise Development Agency also assisted us in putting together these documents. But to date, nothing has happened other than the documents we have," Manda said.story_article_right2In Emzinoni township, Bethal, the situation is even more depressing, according to Tebogo Khumalo, who wakes up at 6.30am every day and walks to a nearby taxi rank where bakkie brigades usually pick up job-seekers."At least today I got a piece job and was paid R70. It has been hard for the past two weeks. I didn't have anything to eat. The last time I got a break was when a white man picked me up. I only worked for two hours. He paid me R80. That is decent pay for two hours! I don't know what will happen tomorrow," Khumalo said.His sentiments were echoed by his colleague for the day, Jabu Mahlambi, who is also from Emzinoni township.Both men said they were given a break on the day because they were picked by foreigners to distribute pamphlets about their "health business"."What can you do? It is better than doing crime because it does not pay. These guys took our numbers and promised to call us if they want us to work for them. I will do it again. I have been jobless for too long now. I will do anything except crime to sleep without an empty stomach," Mahlambi said...