On Monday morning, 31 January 2022, residents of Duduza and Alra Park gathered at Zamane Park next to Duduza Police station, in preparation to embark on a 10-kilometre peaceful march to shed light on three factors that affect them immensely, namely poverty, unemployment, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and inequality.
Greater Nigel is made up of three communities which are Alra Park, Duduza, and Nigel. All the above communities are affected by the same issues at hand. The bone of contention is the increase of unemployment as well as procurement opportunities, which are Small Medium Enterprises, issues of skills development, and Corporate Social Investment of big companies which are Non-Government Organisation (NGO’s) and Non-Profit Organisation (NPO’s).
Protesters and the representatives’ mandate was to engage with all employers within the Industrial area of Nigel just to kick start a conversation with them to see a way forward towards the improvement of the economy of Greater Nigel.
Many of the residents within the community of Greater Nigel are sitting at home with qualifications and no opportunities for employment and no apparent way forward. The walk was in commemoration to deliver a memorandum and to combat social ills and eliminate unemployment.
The peaceful walk intended to go from one company to another to drop off a memorandum that stated their grievances regarding poverty, unemployment, and inequality. Due to the increased levels of unemployment within the community and youth turning to crime, the residents have resorted to peaceful protests for solutions.
“People come from different provinces to get employment in Duduza while community members are left stranded with no hope. The majority of us do not work, we do not look forward to the next day. We need to bribe for work which is unfair and illegal” said one of the protestors.
He further said the aim is to make sure that there is employment and that employer’s pay enough to reach minimum living conditions so that community members are at least able to pay rates and taxes. The fair request is also to receive transparency from surrounding companies and be able to receive minimum wage.
“The peak of the protest is to eventually have an incubation centre that will train and equip people with relevant skills and assist with relevant work opportunities,” he said.
By Kutlwano Mofokeng
