Hon House Chairperson, hon Minister, hon Ministers and Deputy Ministers present, hon Deputy Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, portfolio committee members, honourable members, leadership of trade union movement, bosses of the mining industry, mining communities, ladies and gentlemen.
Firstly, let me extend a word of sorrow to the bereaved Nkonyeni family as we have received the sad news that mama Nomhle Nkonyeni is no more; and we say as the dark clouds have fallen over them, they must continue to remember the fond memories of a living legend in the arts industry.
It is with great sense of appreciation to stand here in the debate on Budget Vote 29, Mineral Resources. The debate would not have come at any most appreciate time if it was not in the month of July when we celebrate the life and birth of our founding father of a democratic South Africa, the icon Nelson
Mandela. This is the least told about his life and at times we ponder as to why it is the case and hopefully it is not because we look down upon mineworkers' jobs. Nelson Mandela was a mineworker at one point and mineworkers should remain proud that he was one of their own and that's where he sharpened his teeth in terms of the revolutionary discourse for a free South Africa.
The Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy has considered the 2019/2020 Annual Performance Plan, APP, as well as the Budget Vote 29, Mineral Resources. We must say that, obviously, we received mixed reactions in relation to the industry when we see the increase of other commodity prices but at the same time we see a decline in other commodities within the industry. These developments could signal a commodity super- cycle as we have seen amongst others that the price of coal in the past three years has become one of the key contributors to the economy of this country.
It is the task of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy to help South Africa to harness its mineral wealth for development.
We recall that at some point relations were at the lowest between the department, formerly the Department of Mineral Resources, and the industry and we have seen an improved relationship post January 2018.
Sadly, though, approximately 75 000 mining jobs were lost between 2012 and June 2018, making the achievement of the goals of growth set for the sector in the National Development Plan, NDP, much more difficult. The committee, though, remains concerned about various issues that we have highlighted in terms of the parliamentary processes.
Amongst others is the review of the Mineral Petroleum Resource Development Act, MPRDA, Act 28 of 2002; and I think it's important hon Chairperson, just to provide clarity ...