Mbonambi trusts rolled out for community
MBONAMBI Community Trusts, established as part of Richards Bay Mineral’s (RBM) Empowerment Agreement, to the tune of R74-million was officially launched at a community Imbizo event in Richards Bay on Sunday.
The long awaited roll-out of the Development Trust and Public Benefit Trust will benefit the Mbonambi community, as with other host communities such as Sokhulu, Dube and Mkhwanazi who have all benefited from the existence of the mining operations.
The trusts have been earmarked for community development and, unlike the trusts for the other three communities, the Mbonambi trusts have never been fully functional as there has not been any legally appointed leadership within the community since 2005.
In February 2017, the KZN Premier appointed an administrator to act as interim community leader, who with the assistance of RBM, appointed registered trustees for both trusts.
Since then RBM has been making progress towards ensuring the funds can be dispersed into both Mbonambi trusts, subject to conditions designed to help the trustees carry out their responsibilities in a professional and transparent way.
‘We are launching the Mbonambi Community Trusts following confirmation from the KZN Provincial Premier that appropriate structures are now in place.
‘These trusts are designed to ensure the communities in which we operate receive fair benefit from the activities of the mine and RBM will continue to provide support to the appointed trustees in managing the trusts on behalf of the community,’ said RBM Managing Director Billy Mawasha. Meanwhile in his address, MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Sihle Zikhalala sent a stern warning to trustees to act in the best interest of the people and not for their own benefit.
‘These positions are demanding and very tempting and you (trustees) have the responsibility to lead on behalf of the future generations.’