'Sad reality' of BEE

The current recession should offer the country a cause for sombre reflection on the need to do the right things, President Jacob Zuma said on Saturday.

"We are required to do more in a climate unfavourable to us; a difficult economic climate not of our own choosing.

"(This is) a cause for sombre reflection on the need to do the right things to get our country back on track," Zuma said at a National Union of Mineworkers gala dinner in Midrand.

He said central to this was spending well over R700-billion allocated for infrastructure projects in the next decade.

"We are going to use the task team made up of labour, government and business to forge a partnership that will make this country withstand the current global economic turmoil, as we did in the so-called emerging markets crisis in 1998."

On transformation, Zuma said the mining sector must be a shining example of transformation in South Africa.

Soldier on with transformation

"It is clear that this fourth democratic government will have to build on the work of the previous administrations to soldier on with the transformation of the mining industry."

He said government would work with key stakeholders such as Num, to ensure that people benefit from the exploitation of mineral resources.

He said although Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment has taken place in the mining sector, the "sad reality" was that only a few have embraced its spirit.

"We have to do everything in our power to ensure than millions of our people benefit from these transactions."

He said one the biggest challenges that was highlighted during the party's election campaign was the role of communities in the mining activities that are taking place largely in Limpopo and the North West.

"It is clear that a significant section of our people feel that despite progressive legislation, the mining industry and government are not doing enough to ensure that they too, fully reap the benefits of the mining activities that are taking place."

The scrutiny of government

Meanwhile, Zuma said there was a need to "vigorously support and entrench" a culture of zero harm in the mining industry.

"The safety record of our mines has become a central issue that will be placed under the scrutiny of government. This situation cannot be tolerated anymore."

He said all stakeholders must work even harder to put an end to the escalating number of mine deaths.

A total of 68 miners have died since the beginning of the year, while 71 died at the same time last year.

"This is not a good picture at all," said Zuma.