Our community in Dipaleseng, Mpumalanga, is facing a grave injustice at the hands of Sibanye Stillwater. Despite being the community most affected by their Burnstone project, we were completely sidelined in the 2022-2026 Social and Labour Plan (SLP) processes. The company failed to advertise this process and misled our unemployed members by labeling the engagement as merely a 'feedback meeting.' This manipulation has left us disempowered and without a voice in our own economic future.

The Dipaleseng community suffers from alarmingly high unemployment rates and lack of support for SMMEs. Yet, instead of prioritizing local employment and business opportunities, Sibanye Stillwater consistently hires individuals from outside our area for even the most basic positions. When we, the residents of the mining community, approach Sibanye for job & business opportunities, we are dismissed and told we lack the necessary qualifications, even for non-specialized roles.

The Social and Labour Plan is meant to be a pathway for community development, offering crucial opportunities for employment and upliftment. However, our exclusion from this process not only violates our rights but also undermines the very principles the SLP stands for. It is imperative that Sibanye Stillwater rectifies this situation, and includes us in future planning and execution of the SLP.

We are calling on the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) to ensure that our voices are heard. We request the DMPR's presence in all future SLP processes, starting with the upcoming 2027-2031 plan, to guarantee transparency and fair representation of our community's interests.

By signing this petition, you are standing up for the rights of the Dipaleseng community. We demand transparency, fairness, and a commitment to local hiring from Sibanye Stillwater. Let's hold them accountable and ensure a brighter future for our community. Please sign and support our cause.