Getting to know ArcelorMittal better through community voices

ArcelorMittal is a steel making company that for years communities in the Vaal Triange have been bearing the brunt of its pollution. The company has violeted human right and dignity of several isssues such as water pollution, dust blowing dirrectly in to the people's houses, responsible for making hundres of worker and community sick and been accountable to anyone. Communities living near the fenceline of ArcelorMittal took part in Community Participatory Research. The research is conducted by Bench Marks Foundation in collaboration with Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance. The aim of the research was to investigate through the community voices how much communities are impacted or affected ArcelorMittal. This what they have to say in the meeting that was held on the 12 Novermber 2011.

Nthabieneng Dimema, she also part of 

Bench Marks Foundation Monitoring

School, she is saying in Boitumelo she says there are somepositive

thing about Mittal because they have gaven a bursary some learners but they do more of the good things for communities.

Maria Mack from Bophelong, says must compensate all affectd workers, she is victim because her father passed way and was working for Mittal. They did not receive any compensation. She

using her daughter grant to provide for the family. 

 Lebohang Mokoena stays in Sasolburg but share

the experience with people living close to Mittal

Pollution has no boundaries, our government must 

play activive role in protecting community

human rights and Environment. In Boipatong Township

Dust from ArcelorMittal is blowing dirrectly into people's 

houses but its ok because they where given milk to drink 

by ArcelorMittal to mitigate the situation, how sick that is. Community don't understand or know little about Corporate Social Responsibility.

Rosina Khantsi, stays in Bophelong says Mittal must stop brainwashing communities by roofing the house rather

than dealing with Emvironmental issue. Rosina's 

wish is that ArcelorMittal must consult with the communties

Mittal must to painting Community Halls only but they

must invest in the community upliftement programme and

youth development programme.

Sonti Mtambo, her family stayed at Steelvalley where  groundwater was contimanited because of

 ArcelorMittal. She has witness young mother miscarrying their unborn baby, skin irritations, cancers and many other illness  drinking polluted water. Her family was

removed from the area by ArcelorMittal  promised a better life.Today they are staying in a squater Camp calleed Joko Tea.No water and Sanitation and roads are very bad. She blame 

it all to ArcelorMittal by destriying their agricultureal land.Making to move in to town ship where there no place to plant or grow their vegetables like they used to.

                                                      Lisemelo Masibuko,She is working closely with ArcelorMittal 

Ex-workers, as young as she is, she has experience the pain of this 

worker who for 12 years has been fighting for their

compensation of the illenss that they believe was due to working

for the comapny. She wishes that Mittal can admit that they have make ex-workers sick and compensate them. Government  also

must hold the company accountable.

She is also part of Bench Marks

Monitoring School, which has empower her on computer skill 

and writting community stories.