Vibrant Cultures in a Cosmopolitan City
Rustenburg is a hub of cultural diversity. Rustenburg's attraction lies in the "perception of wealth" created by the lucrative platinum mining industry. It is reported that many of the mines in the Rustenburg area has a life expectancy in excess of 70 years. The price trends and prospects of the platinum group of metals point to the possible longer-term economic growth of the Municipal Area. Demand for platinum has been buoyant by the sharp growth in platinum jewelry sales, the running down of Russia's stockpile and the entry into the market of China, which now consumes about a sixth of the world's platinum production. Analysts also expect the platinum fuel cell, which will drive electric-powered vehicles, to be in widespread use by 2015. The economic, social and physical characteristics of Rustenburg are largely determined by the presence of these mining activities within its Municipal Area. Mining activity is concentrated along a geological belt, known as the Bushveld Complex, which stretches across the Rustenburg Municipal Area in a north-south and east-west direction. Large platinum and chrome reserves are concentrated along this belt.Three mining companies dominate operations within the Rustenburg Municipal Area. These are Impala Platinum, largely operating on Bafokeng tribal land through concessions, Anglo Platinum, operating northeast of Rustenburg and Lonmin Platinum, operating west of Thekwane. Therefore, there is a relative influx of people settling in the Rustenburg region, which contributes to its vibrant cultural spectrum.
No tour is complete without experiencing the rich cultures of this city, first hand!
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Royal Bafokeng Tribe
The Bafokeng people live on the biggest platinum deposits in the world, a resource that has transformed the once-traditional tribe into a mini-state with its own investment company. The Royal Bafokeng Nation - a kingdom of some 300,000 people about 120 kilometres (75 miles) northwest of Johannesburg - has its own professionally designed web site, a majority stake in a listed platinum firm and a two-percent share in telecoms giant Vodacom. The kingdom's capital, Phokeng, is also home to the newly renovated Royal Bafokeng Stadium, which hosted six matches in the 2010 World Cup. The 29 villages of the tribe's homeland all have clinics, schools, new roads and running water, a stark contrast with the poverty of much of rural South Africa. “They are the richest tribe in Africa because African tribes were destroyed and marginalised by colonialism,” says the University of Pretoria's Martin Selepe, whose doctoral thesis is on traditional leadership in modern South Africa.Click to Learn More About The Royal Bafokeng Tribe
After fighting decades of legal battles with the government and mining companies, the Bafokeng finally won the mineral rights to the land. Their valley holds half the platinum in South Africa, which itself has 87 percent of the world's reserves. Today, the Bafokeng earn between 700 and 800 million rand (103-117 million dollars, 78-89 million euros) a year in dividends and royalties. The tribe owns a 57 percent stake in Royal Bafokeng Platinum, which listed on the Johannesburg stock exchange last year, and a 13 percent stake in mining firm Implats. The kingdom, which is today ruled by King Leruo Molotlegi, spends part of the revenues on community development projects, including scholarships, small business grants and free school lunches for children.The rest it reinvests.“We need to ensure there is life after platinum runs out,” Niall Carroll, the head of Royal Bafokeng Holdings, the tribe's investment company, told the magazine Financial Mail. However, Geologists predict that the platinum reserves could be exhausted in approxiamtely 50 years.
Social Responsibility of the Royal Bafokeng Tribe
The King of the Royal Bafokeng Nation is Kgosi Leruo T. Molotlegi, 36th in a long line of visionary traditional leaders. Thanks to the pioneering spirit of the King’s ancestors, the Bafokeng community controls 1400 km2 of land situated on the largest platinum reserve in the world. Vision 2020 and the Masterplan, the strategic blueprints for the community’s future, aim to create a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable community true to its African heritage and traditions. The Royal Bafokeng Nation is a model of progressive leadership on the African continent. Bafokeng governance combines elected, appointed, and hereditary leaders committed to long-term, future-oriented planning. The Royal Bafokeng Stadium stands as the only community-owned stadium in the FIFA 2010 World Cup, and the first to proclaim readiness for the world’s best-loved sporting event.Cultural Heritage and Dominant Languages
English, Setwana and Afrikaans are the dominant languages in the region. However, there are many other languages that are spoken in the region due to the cospolitan nature of this vibrant city.Rustenburg has its roots in the former Transvaal, under the Afrikaner rule. The Afrikaans heritage is still vibrant in this city, which can be seen in the many Afrikaans medium schools in the area that are gradually moving towards dual-medium education.
Setswana is the most widely spoken language of this region, and can be traced back to the former,Bophutatswana [which is now integrated into South Africa]. Many schools are working towards teaching Setwana as one of the compulsory languages, in an effort to encompass cultural diversity.
English is has its roots in the colonial period of British rule in South Africa, and is the primary language of communication amongst all people in the work and social setting, following worldwide trends.
