The tragedy that was the Marikana shootings in 2012 will live on in the memories of South Africans and Rustenburg residents for a long time to come.
The way forward is to rebuild, to rebuild the community and move forward so that Rustenburg is not only remembered for its traged but that the city can becom a contender on the national playing field.
- Improved housing
- Population growth
- Job creation
- Economic advancement
- Expanded infrastructure
- Building of new suburbs; homes and business premises
Interestingly these sectors are dependant on each other and once motion begins there will be a knock-on effect with each party favouring another creating the growth and expansion so necessary.
Government – by facilitating permissions and laying developmental groundwork
The unemployed and new employers – development will require all forms of labour from bricklayers to administration teams, empowering people through employment
Economic growth – Slow at first but as employment increases and the need for good increases, spending will follow suit. New employment and self employment opportunities will arise.
Suppliers of the initial products and services that will encourage this type of growth will need to come from government and town planning but physically, builders and building material will be needed. Rustenburg already has a brick supplier situated ideally to meet these needs. The high rate of unemployment across the country will be a source of labour and if residents of Rustenburg are included in the new and improved workforce, a loyalty to Rustenburg as a town will follow.
Ultimately a city that progresses will be able ovecome the damage done through earlier devastation and the growth of one city or suburb can lead by example to encourage further development by other cities and provinces.