Forget nationalization, state mining is the way - NUM

Union president says nationalization call by “tenderpreneurs” is a clear attempt to get the state to bail out struggling businesskendal coal mine south africaes. The National Union of Mineworkers president, Senzeni Zokwana there’s no need for a national debate as the state already owns the minerals.

Speaking at a media conference in Johannesburg, Zokwana also said a debate free of insults was needed to decide how a state mining company would operate and what the role of private companies would be. “We are calling for the activation of the state mining company... we cannot have a situation like we did with Eskom where we ran out of coal because global prices were too high,” he said. “We believe the Freedom Charter calls for the nationalization of mineral rights below the soil, there’s no mention of mining there,” he said. “We have not been shown a country where the government is the sole runner of the process. We have observed Namibia and Botswana where the state is in the partnership with other mining companies.” “What worries us more is the way nationalization is being brought - and people seem to be rushing for agreement and use threats to leaders who do not support this, it does not auger well for debate.” “You’ve got people who are young who should be looking at...