The screening of former mineworkers has been successfully conducted in King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality. The screening is part of the Ithubalethu Project, a government intervention aimed at assisting former mineworkers in the Eastern Cape to access unpaid benefits, compensation and related support. The programme was conducted in both Mthatha on 12 and 16 August and in Mqanduli on 13 August.
Former mineworkers and their beneficiaries received administrative screening and support from the programme, which includes identification and verification, evaluation of eligibility for benefits and compensation, tracking of unpaid claims, and health screening and assessment of each person’s needs and referral to the proper service, support, or additional assessment.
The Speaker of Council, Cllr N. Siyo-Sokutu, welcomed the initiative to bring these services closer to the KSD community, describing it as a valuable one-stop service for residents. She noted that access to assistance for former mineworkers and their families was one of the issues raised by communities during the Speaker’s Outreach Programme, where residents called for support in accessing their outstanding benefits and related services.
The programme is being implemented in partnership with the Eastern Cape Office of the Premier, South African Ex-Mineworkers Council, Rand Mutual Assurance (RMA), Department of Health, Department of Employment and Labour, and Department of Social Development.