JUNE 2025
Welcome Back to the Bench Marks Foundation Bulletin
Dear Friends and Comrades.
We’re back and we’ve missed you.
Thank you for your patience and unwavering solidarity during our pause in publication. This Bulletin returns not only as a platform for updates but also as a space for reflection, resistance, and renewal. As we reconnect, we also recommit the work to each other and to the dream of a just and dignified future for all.
In this edition we honour the resilience of our communities, share the stories that hold systems to account , and amplify the voices of those too often ignored. The “community is the starting point of life”. It’s amidst the rubble in occupied Palestine and the extended war in the Middle East that life will flow from. The imperial powers caught in a genocidal embrace of the state of Israel are in pursuit of global dominance and a neoliberal pursuit of natural resources – oil, “critical minerals”. Again a new “colonial scramble” is afoot on our continent in a world in transition. Yet communities are at their most fragile and the rebuilding of solidarity and the quest for social justice is ever more urgent and nowhere is this more stark as in Sudan’s communities where famine unfolds beyond the glare of the live and televised wars.
Here we start a new journey and we highlight “voices” from communities and our work in this edition.
Let this just not be a newsletter, but a call to action and a celebration of collective power.
Dear comrade, this edition includes a focus on Critical Raw Materials, suggesting that a failure to understand what is happening and how to respond may be a serious setback for the justice movement. Given Africa’s resources, how do we ensure that the looting by powerful Northern countries does not keep us in colonial subservience? We discuss the DRC’s resources and struggles as well as Kenya as part of our commitment to Pan Africanism. Leadership in Africa is a scarce resource, but where it exists and is ethical and accountable, imperial forces and their agencies play a role in undermining and overthrowing it. In From the Ground, we report on the historic tailings conference of the CSOs as well as the importance of free, prior and informed consent and the Right to say No to unjust and mal development. Next Month, August, is Marikana month, where we reflect on its significance to South Africa – now 30 years since the fall of apartheid.
Our resources are diverse and well worth a look at.
Read, enjoy and pass it on.
..EDITOR'S NOTE..
June 16, 1976, stands as a defining moment in South Africa’s history, a day when young people refused to surrender their futures to an oppressive system. Nearly five decades later, the struggle for dignity lives on, though in new forms and new frontlines. Today, mining-affected communities across the country, particularly the youth, confront injustices rooted in environmental destruction, economic marginalization, and systemic neglect.
The Stillfontein massacre remains a chilling reminder of how far we have yet to go. Ex-miners, working underground, lost their lives when Operation Vala Umgodi (“Close the hole”) abruptly sealed off mining shafts, trapping them beneath the surface. This was not a protest, it was a human rights violation (see our press release and coverage in TimeLIVE), exposing the violent disregard for Black working-class lives that persists beneath the surface of post-apartheid promises.
But Stillfontein is not an isolated tragedy. From Jagersfontein to Snake Park, communities continue to breathe toxic air, drink polluted water, and watch their dreams eroded by extractive systems that never truly departed. The language of transition is spoken loudly at podiums, but on the ground, it remains silent on consultation, reparations, and justice.
As we honour the defiance of the youth of 1976, we also extend our solidarity to young people resisting oppression globally. The struggle of the people of Gaza is not just about land, it is about life, dignity, and the right to exist free from collective punishment and violence. Their resilience in the face of siege and displacement mirrors the everyday resistance of those fighting environmental violence, forced removals, and economic exclusion here at home. We believe that the fight for justice is indivisible Palestine’s struggle is deeply entwined with our own.
This edition of the Bulletin amplifies the voices of those rising up not only against collapsing mine dumps and broken promises but against a global order that continues to sacrifice the lives of the poor for power and profit. Their stories echo the fearless spirit of 1976: a refusal to accept injustice, a demand for accountability, and an unwavering belief in collective liberation.
..OPINION..
Courtesy photo of: Sam Nzima
The class of 1976 demonstrated the power of consistency in resistance even under an oppressive system that denied freedom of speech and sought to silence dissent. Their struggle for equal education was not just about textbooks and classrooms; it was about dignity, inclusion, and the right to shape their own futures. Despite the brutality they faced, they proved that even in the harshest conditions, people will always find ways to organize, resist, and demand justice.
As Steve Biko famously wrote, “The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed.” The students of 1976 refused to let their minds be controlled, and their defiance reshaped South Africa’s history. But while political freedom was won, the struggle did not end; it simply evolved.
Today, mining-affected communities face a new form of exclusion. Corporations continue to ignore their voices, making decisions that impact their land, health, and livelihoods without consultation. The call for inclusiveness in decision-making echoes the demands of 1976 yet communities are still fighting to be taken seriously.
The South African government has announced the Just Energy Transition, a supposed shift toward a sustainable future. But for many South Africans, the term remains unclear and disconnected from their daily realities. While policymakers discuss energy reforms, communities still struggle for basic necessities and rights like decent education, electricity, water, housing and environmental justice. The promise of a better future remains out of reach, much like the promises made decades ago.
The echoes of 1976 still scream today in the abandoned mine shafts, in the polluted air, in the voices of young people demanding accountability. The fight for dignity did not end with apartheid; it continues in the battle for economic justice, environmental protection, and true inclusivity.
The question remains: Will we listen? Will we act?
..ARTICLES..
Threats of Eviction and Dirty Water: No Justice in Sight for Jagersfontein
Issued by Bench Marks Research Team
Almost three years after the tailings dam disaster, Jagersfontein residents continue to fight for basic rights.
As Youth Month draws to a close across South Africa, the community of Jagersfontein continues to grapple with two pressing issues protected by the Constitution: access to housing and clean water.
Last week (16–20 June 2025), a resident from Donkerhoek, an RDP housing area, received a surprise eviction letter from a lawyer without any clear indication of who the lawyer was representing. The notice sparked widespread panic, as many residents now fear they, too, might receive similar letters.
On Friday, 20 June 2025, residents gathered and approached the mayor, Xolani J Tseletsele, for answers. The mayor stated that he was unaware of who had issued the letter. However, many in the community believe the mining company operating in the area is behind the threats. This same company is also being accused of contaminating local water sources.
Residents are reminding the authorities and public that:
- RDP houses were built by the government and do not fall under the authority of mining companies.
- Clean water is a constitutional right, and the people of Jagersfontein deserve safe, accessible water.
The community approached the Bench Marks Foundation’s research team, who then notified the appropriate authorities — the Human Rights Commission, lawyers, and the media.
It is deeply concerning that, three years after the Jagersfontein tailings dam disaster, which killed three residents, the community is still being denied basic human rights. We call on all relevant authorities and partners to act immediately. Jagersfontein cannot afford to be ignored any longer
“From Golden Dreams to Harsh Realities”
Picture by Mmathapelo Thobejane
A personal reflection by Olebogeng Motene, tracing her journey from a hopeful village girl in Chaneng to an environmental justice activist. . Read more here.
“Children at Risk in Thulani Snake Park’s Toxic Evaporation Ponds”
Picture by Bongani Dhlahla
Thokozile Mntambo exposes the dangers posed by unsecured mining tailings owned by Pan African Resources. Read more here.
..GRASSROOTS VOICES..
“Raising Consciousness, Reclaiming Power: Political Education with Young Women in Mokopane” by Rebeca Selomo
Picture: Courtesy of Rebecca Selomo
The Young Urban Women Movement in Mokopane, led by activist Rebbeca Selomo, empowers over 50 young women through political education on socio-economic justice, reproductive rights, and climate issues. The sessions deepen understanding of systemic oppression, colonial history, and neoliberalism, transforming participants into active change agents. Beyond education, the movement advocates for safer public spaces and supports victims of gender-based violence. These young women are reclaiming their power, challenging injustice, and building a future rooted in knowledge and liberation. Read more here.
“From Wonderkop to Resistance: My Journey into Activism” by Koketso Sibanda
Picture by Brown Matlako
Koketso Sibanda shares his journey from growing up in Wonderkop, a community shadowed by mining-related environmental harm, to becoming an activist for justice. Witnessing pollution, illness, and government neglect inspired her to document these injustices and engage in advocacy through community meetings and youth empowerment. Drawing strength from her resilient community, Koketso calls for clean air, safe water, and accountability, declaring that real change begins from within the people themselves. Read more here.
“Raised by the Mines, Called by Justice” by Thabang Thibane
Picture by Thokozile Mntambo
Thabang reflects on growing up in Nyakallong, a township built around the mining industry, where his family’s livelihood was tied to the mines. The tragic death of his father in a mining accident and the eventual collapse of local mines revealed the harsh realities behind the industry’s promises. Guided by a mentor and disillusioned by party politics, Thabang embraced activism to fight for justice in mine-hosting communities, determined to break the silence and honor the labor and losses of those who came before him. Read more here.
..JUNE MEDIA ENGAGEMENTS..
The Story of ‘Tiger’: Once a gentle son and family breadwinner, now South Africa’s most-wanted fugitive. Read fulls story here
David Van Wyk’s interview with Radio 786: Regarding the MPRDA bill. To listen click here
Soweto is speaking. Are we listening? Read the full story here
Soweto residents speak out about the devastating health and environmental impact left behind. Read full story here
While residents struggle to breathe and live with the stench of industrial waste, the City of Joburg and a mining company continue to play the blame game. Read full story here
What many once mistook for a golden hill is in fact a toxic mine dump and it’s making people sick. Read full story here
..RESOURCES AND PUBLICATIONS..
Through the Community Monitoring School we work with community-based organizations across 6 provinces, operating in 33 locations within 14 local municipalities. This network is coordinated by 8 facilitators. All the communities we engage with are directly affected by large-scale mining operations involving platinum, chrome, coal, uranium, and gold. In 2024 eight topics were identified for targeted investigations. However, only six teams have successfully gathered sufficient information to complete their investigation reports. These reports serve as a foundation for community-based advocacy efforts.
To download the reports, click on the links below:
Allan Farm, Kwa Zulu Natal Province: The impact of the contaminated/dirty river on the community.
Snake Park – Soweto, Gauteng Province: Impacts of the tailing on the health of people in Snake Park.
Mokopane, Limpopo Province: Mokopane sewage spillages.
Sekhukhune, Limpopo Province: Women leadership and female representation in decision making.
Mpho Trust – Buffelsdoorn farm, North West: Members of the community of Mpho Trust living on wetland or flood line.
Nyakallong, Free State Province: The Impact of the Voelpan Dam on Mosala Secondary School.
We also developed a communication and training toolkit to support activist in facilitating ongoing conversations around gender in their community work.
Click the link below to access the document:
Gender worksheets
Moses Cloete serves as the editor at large of this edition. Unless otherwise indicated the writing and presentation of the Bulletin is by Thokozile Mntambo. Olebogeng Motene is responsible for additional editing and layout of the newsletter. Simo Gumede is responsible for the members and partners database management. Header Photo: Courtesy of the Human Sciences Research Council of South Africa.
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