On the 8th November, 2018 The Liqhobong Mining Development Company (LMDC) made a positive impact on the Kao Community through its Corporate Social Responsibility Programme by providing two cross bridges which were opened officially in the presence of the community and the government officials.
For a change, the ceremony began with the traditional dances being Ndlhamo together with Mokhibo and the audience was very delighted as they blew whistles and ululated in the presence of the government officials from the Ministry of Mining, Public Works and Transport alongside Local Government and Chieftainship.
As the first speaker of the day, Liqhobong Chief Executive Officer Mr. Paul Bosma uttered, “We as the mine we are not saying we cannot take responsibility of the maintainace of public roads but what we say is we undertake to work with relevant agencies and where we can assist we will serve. “ Mr. Bosma further indicated that the Liqhobong Mine have invested about M2 Million for the renovation of the road.
On behalf of the Community Committee liaison its chairman declared that the community was living under the unstable situation of sometimes not being able to have accessible roads during the heavy rain fall. He continued by thanking the LMDC for working harmoniously with the community.
It is in this juncture where the programme director being the District Administrator Mr. Lehlohonolo Qhasho of Butha-Buthe called upon the Principal Chief Mrs. Mamanamolela Mopeli. Mrs. Mopeli stipulated that she congratulates the Liqhobong Mine for keeping its word as this will benefit the host community to easily access the services that are provided at the urban areas. She further appealed to the community to take good care of the new developments that are being made by the mining companies within the society and also the mining companies should continue to endow.
Amongst the speakers of the day, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Chieftainship Honourable Kotiti Diholo on behalf of his Ministry he thanked Hon. Keketso Sello the Minister of Mining for inviting his Ministry on this big event.
Hon. Diholo delightfully indicated that he is congratulating the host community and the Member of Parliament from the constituency of Ha Moteete for receiving this marvelous development within their community. “I am aware of two villages (Tiping and Sekeketeng) that seriously must be relocated since they were affected by the floods and that task is to be assisted by the Councilors of those villages so that this relocation can be made very quickly,” said Hon. Diholo.
While wrapping up the big event, The Minister of Mining Honourable Keketso Sello was the last speaker of the day. In his key note address, he publicly declared that he is aware that the grievances which the Kao host community tabled before the ministry being the construction of sanitary toilets, the maintenance of taps, the maintenance of this road which Liqhobong mine have reconstructed and the compensation of the affected pastures that all of these grievances are still in the process of being resolved.
“I appeal to you Transformation Resource Centre to stick to your mandate as a civil society organisation and cease coming to these host communities alone leaving other stakeholders behind because we as the Ministry of Mining we always invite you whenever we visit these community,” said Hon. Sello.
“In conclusion, gentlemen I am aware that you are regularly meeting with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport whereby the plan is to transform these road from the gravel into permanent a tarred road and I just so wish that process is still going on,” said Hon. Sello in a very humble tone.
Hon. Sello lastly informed the public that the very same Mining companies are organising to host a very big event which will commence on the 28th November and end on the 29th November 2018 at Thaba- Bosiu Cultural Village. He further outlined that the purpose of that Mining Khotla is to present to the indigenous Basotho business companies the business opportunities that are available in the Mining Sector.