Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation David Mahlobo launched a multi stakeholder forum at the Hartebeespoort Dam economic hub to quell racial tensions and denial of business opportunities to black people in the area.
Tension between black and white business have now reach a boiling point, there has been racial slug and physical fight, and some black business owners has seen their establishment burned down to the ground.
The engagement was held at the department of water and sanitation head office in Haarties on Saturday morning.
A task team has been launched to address racial tensions at the Tourism hub Hartbeespoort Dam in the North West.
North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi and Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation David Mahlobo engaged stakeholders over the issues of land access and racial tensions.
Amongst the guests were mayor of Madibeng Douglas Maimane, Kgosi Lebogang Mogale, kgosi Manotse Ramokoka, kgosi Mamogale, wards councillors, chairperson of Magalies water Dr Sebego, different officials from the department and different stakeholders from NGO’s, security, businesspeople.
Black businesses allege they are being denied access to land at the dam’s shoreline.
Some community members brought placards to express their feelings against the alleged racism in Haaeties.
“The issue of racism and tribalism are global problems and the multi stakeholder’s forum here in Haarties will focus on several issues under the guidance of North West Premier Mogotsi and Water and Sanitation Minister Pammy Majodina regarding access to economic opportunities that are derived at the dam,” said Mahlobo.
“The multi stakeholders will look at new applications for business opportunities and also open the area for business opportunities for the local people of Bojanala, young people, women and people with disabilities, including traditional communities to make sure that they get empowered” he said.
He said the forum will also look at issues like stolen property during the apartheid era in the area to make sure that it is returned to its rightful owners.
He pointed out that the 100-year-old Hartebeespoort Dam is currently polluted, and this has negative implications for water provision in the area.
“Those that pollute the dam must stop doing so now and if they don’t then the government must apply the law and prosecute them,” he said.
He emphasised that cleaning the dam will have economic spinoffs for the local economy of Haarties.
“Issuing of trading licenses and permits must be applied in a consistent manner irrespective of whether one is a formal or informal business, white or black, man or woman or disabled, and the local municipality must lead the way in this respect and make sure that by-laws are adhered to avoid conflict in the area,” said Mahlobo.
“Issues of safety and security are also of great concern here at Haarties because there have been incidents of people being assaulted, including young children and the police must make sure that the perpetrators get arrested and prosecuted,” he said.
“Poverty and unemployment and lack of service delivery are big problems in the area and there are many informal settlements here in Haarties and the local municipality must improve this situation,” said Mahlobo.
He said there are also issues of land restitution and evictions in the area and that he and the North West Premier Mokgosi will convene another meeting before the end of the year to ascertain whether all work streams in the multi stakeholder’s forum have done their job.
He said social cohesion is of utmost importance in the area and that issues racism and tribalism are dealt with urgently.
North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi said the meeting to discuss problems of Haarties was successful and that an agreement has been reached regarding the work of the work streams and timelines.
“At the core of Hartebeespoort problems is the fact that some want to maintain the status quo while others want to change so as to have access to economic opportunities in the dam area,” said the Premier.
it is not right that 30 years into the democracy we are still struggling for social cohesion and integration it can’t be right and there are two things that must be happen, status core cannot remain,” said Premier Mokgosi.
Local businessman Thabiso Mathibedi, whose business premises were burnt down allegedly by racist white people of Haarties, told Tshwane Talks that he was happy about the formation of the work streams and also about the fact that several white folks attended the meeting and agreed to work hand-in-hand with the forum even though there are still those who are against transformation at Haarties.
“We won’t be apologetic in our approach regarding the multi stakeholder forum and those that don’t want to work with us shall be left behind, but we are not going to tolerate any further attacks on black people, racial attacks and burning of businesses and we are confident that the stakeholders forum will deal with all issues at Haarties decisively, said Mathibedi.
“We must talk about the burning issues of racism first in Haarties and we must look at it and face it and address it so we can have peace,” said SANCO North West chairperson Joseph Moyo.