But Kgosi Lebone shouldered that cross with dignity and fortitude. In his tireless efforts to improve the lives of his people, the King put to good use all the available material and human resources. The land here is endowed with rich platinum-group metal deposits. The current legal battle between the Bafokeng people and mining houses is a stark reminder of the awkward economic legacy we inherited. Government will not interfere in the legal process, but it is not disinterested in the case whose outcome, we believe, will have wide impact.
Government is busy formulating a policy on the ownership of mineral resources.
Consultation will ensure that the resulting policy accommodates the aspirations of all stakeholders while ensuring that the mining industry retains its central position within the engine room of economic reconstruction. Amongst our strategic objectives is the goal of ensuring that mining rights are made available to small entrepreneurs and that ownership of the industry is opened up to previously excluded communities. This also was the vision of Kgosi Lebone Molotlegi. It will be the duty of his successor, the Bafokeng people, and indeed all the people of South Africa, to continue the struggle for economic empowerment on all fronts. During this delicate period of mourning and transition we urge the members of this community to close ranks and not to allow differences op opinion to drive them apart.