The annual stakeholders’ meeting held on November 6, 2018 at Tsantsabane in Postmasburg by Sishen Iron Ore Company’s community development trust (SIOC-cdt) was resplendent with relevant information to cushion various interested parties who yearned to understand better how the trust operates in its quest to meet the developmental needs of the community.

There was a convincing crowd drawn from different sectors of society who wanted clarity on issues pertaining to how the trust allocates projects in the district and why other areas were allegedly getting the second bite of the cherry in as far as the contentious projects were concerned. Most of the incisive questions emanated from the ever-hungry emerging entrepreneurs seeking opportunities in the development of their personal portfolios in particular and the development of the region in general.  

The influx of these questions was attended appropriately by the trust’s chief executive officer, Mr Vusani Mali, who responded to each question without an iota of blinking proving he had anticipated such a barrage of questions from his answers-thirsty stakeholders.

While the floor was inundated with the desire to develop the region Mr Mali conceded the trust was precisely in the same trajectory the community envisaged but had its model of prioritisation where education and enterprise development needs optimum attention followed by health and welfare issues.

He equally raised a very pertinent point where he clearly made a distinction between services rendered by government departments and the projects run by the trust. He said while the trust can chip in and assist municipalities, this was not mandatory unless the project concurs with the ideals of the trust. Government departments have their lines of duty and obligation supported by the national treasury to deliver developmental projects or infrastructure and therefore untenable to be seen seeking funding from the trust.

The trust liaises with municipalities as these directly deal with traditional leaders regarding developmental projects that benefit the community. On the issue of the trust having investments, Mr Mali was elaborate on the matter saying that within its constitutional dictates, the trust is allowed to use 30% of its shares towards investments to further improve its financial base destined to boost community-inclined projects.

A solid point was raised by the community to the effect that the trust ought to be rational in the choice of projects to be implemented to avoid planting white elephants in its midst. Such false projects, the community hinted, can be avoided by putting in place a vigorous evaluation and monitoring team after thorough assessment of whether identified projects are indeed, meritorious or not to the community.

 Regarding the inclusion of one of the contentious board of trustees based in the Tsantsabane community, the chairperson of the trust Mr Conie Molusi said that the constitutionality of the matter must be understood first before casting aspersions against an individual. He however welcomed the brilliant views raised by the community in the meeting saying that they will address some of the concerns raised with due care and diligence.

 He said that the trust has made good strides in education, healthcare and more proposed projects are in the pipeline for the year 2018-19.  Among the dignitaries present in the meeting was the host mayor councillor Maria Daniels, her speaker councillor Elroy Phete, Joe Morolong local municipality mayor councillor Dineo Leutlwetse and Ms Yvonne Mfolo representing Kumba.