‘This Is Our Home’: Mpumalanga Farmers Resist Coal Mine Relocation

Families demand space to protect livestock and livelihoods

A tense standoff has emerged in Mpumalanga as farm residents near Delmas refuse to move, despite a coal mine’s insistence that they vacate to make way for mining operations. The residents of Hartbeesfontein Farm, whose properties were sold to Seriti Resources in 2010, say the company’s relocation plan does not adequately protect their farming businesses or livestock.

“This farm has been my home since 1978,” said Piet Mahlangu, who owns more than 15 cattle. “I’m willing to move, but only if I’m given a yard with enough space and land to continue running my farming business. Moving without clarity is not an option.”

Generations Rooted in the Land

For many families, the farm represents more than a homeit’s a livelihood built over decades. Livestock farmer Alfred Jiyane, who has lived on the farm since 1985, said cutting off water and electricity has put his animals at risk.

“We were trained to farm here, and this is the only life we know. Relocating to a new area without enough space will make it impossible to continue our business,” Jiyane told reporters.

Community leader Victor Nkosi emphasized that the six families refusing to move collectively own more than 40 cattle, along with other livestock, underscoring the scale of the farming disruption.

Mining Company Offers Compensation

Seriti Resources maintains that it is approaching the matter sensitively and in full compliance with the law. Spokesperson Tshifhiwa Ramotombu said the company has offered alternative land with access to grazing, water, and a borehole, along with planned sanitation facilities and solar power.

“We also offered compensation and a 99-year lease on the new land,” Ramotombu said. “Despite several engagements, these offers were declined. Seriti remains open to dialogue and committed to a fair resolution.”

However, the residents argue that the proposed relocation plots are too small to sustain their livestock businesses, leaving them unwilling to vacate by the 31 January 2026 deadline outlined in the company’s legal letter.

Community Voices and Social Media Reaction

The dispute has sparked a wave of online debate, with many sympathizing with the families’ struggle to preserve their heritage and livelihood. Some social media users have criticized mining companies for prioritizing operations over community welfare, while others call for government intervention to mediate a fair compromise.

Historically, relocation conflicts in South Africa’s mining regions have often ended in protracted legal battles, highlighting the delicate balance between industrial development and preserving rural livelihoods. Hartbeesfontein may be the latest flashpoint in this ongoing struggle.

Seeking a Middle Ground

While the standoff continues, residents insist on a clear guarantee: enough land, proper facilities, and security for their livestock before considering any relocation. For the families of Hartbeesfontein, it is not simply about refusing to move, it is about preserving their home, culture, and way of life in the face of industrial expansion.

{Source: The Citizen}

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