Zuma Appoints Ministerial Team to Boost Mining Industry

South African Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa along with President Jacob Zuma. The police and the government have been under severe criticism since the killing of 34 miners in Marikana., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Zuma appoints ministerial team to boost mining industry

President Jacob Zuma hopes to restore confidence in the mining industry with the appointment of a ministerial team to tackle problems in the sector

30 May 2013 12:51 Nickolaus Bauer

"Our country needs a stable and growing mining industry," Zuma told reporters in Pretoria on Thursday.

"Mining has been a key feature of this country's economy for more than 130 years and it remains the cornerstone of our economy."

The president's move follows continued unrest in the mining sector, which has been marked by wildcat strikes and a union standoff between the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in the platinum-rich North West.

His reaction also came two days after Statistics South Africa released the latest growth figures, revealing 0.9% annualised gross domestic product growth for the first quarter of 2013.

"We need faster growth. Without faster growth we cannot succeed in reducing unemployment, poverty and inequality," said Zuma.

According to Zuma, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will lead the ministerial team – which also includes the following ministers and their tasks:

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan will reassure foreign and domestic investors of the country's commitment to the mining sector.

Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant will facilitate smooth labour relations in the mining sector to promote order and stability.

Mining Minister Susan Shabangu will support policy implementation and operations in the mining industry – including the improvement of miners' living conditions.

Job creation in mining

The president also issued a direct call for fair and expeditious settlements of wage negotiations to improve job retention and creation in the mining sector.

​Zuma said government was taking all measures possible to provide support and stimulus to South Africa's mining industry.​

"I urge business, organised labour and government to continue engaging constructively," he added.

"Everything we do must be designed to strengthen and stabilise the sector and ensure that it serves all stakeholders."

The president also called on all citizens to work with government in stimulating economic growth and in assuring that South Africa is "promoted in every possible way".