Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
The Deputy Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms Susan Shabangu, will visit the Northern Cape on Thursday, 3 December 1998. During her visit she will address women at the Postmasburg Community Hall at 08:30. Women will represent communities such as Prieska, Kuruman, Danielskuil, Upington and Groenwater. The Association for Community and Rural Development, Concerned People Against Asbestos and Skeifontein and Groenwater Communal Peoples Association were also invited.
This visit relates to the No Violence Against Women Campaign. The women in the communities would like to share their views on the creation of an enabling environment for a meaningfull participation of women in the mining sector and the compensation for family members suffering from asbestosis with Deputy Minister Shabangu.
Asbestos has been extensively mined in the Northern Cape, particularly near the town of Prieska, Koega and Kuruman. In th 1960's the pneumoconiosis research unit of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research began investigating the relationship between asbestos and cancer. In the 1970's the National Research Institute for the Medical Council for South Africa carried out research on the risks of asbestos related diseases in workers on the asbestos mines. The findings indicated that the risk of death through asbestosis or cancer of the lungs and stomach was severely increased in blue asbestos areas.
The Department of Minerals and Energy (regional office in the Northern Cape) has already spent approximately R5 million to rehabilitate the ownerless mines. A number of residents in the surrounding areas, who are presently suffering from asbestosis, have approached the provincial department of Occupational Health for possible compensation.
ENQURIES: Mrs Dinah Lefakane Director: Communication Tel: (012) 3179343 Fax: (012) 3224954 Cel: 082 443 1559