GroundUp reports that about 70 protesters from several districts in Mpumalanga picketed outside Eskom’s Megawatt Park head office in Johannesburg on Wednesday, demanding jobs.

The protesters, from Emalahleni, Victor Khanye, Steve Tshwete and Thembisile municipalities, complained about being overlooked when new people were hired at Kendal, Kriel, Matla, Kusile and Duvha power stations. They handed over a memorandum of demands, which included a request for an urgent meeting with management. “We urgently call on Eskom to take concrete steps towards the growing unemployment crisis in Emalahleni and surrounding communities. This includes prioritising local recruitment for job opportunities ensuring transparency in hiring processes,” the memo reads. Protester Simanga Mashiana claimed that management at Eskom power stations did not hire local people. “We are tired of being told about head office every time we raise our concerns, that’s why today we decided to come here,” he explained. Zakes Mlambo from Emalahleni said even community members who were graduates were not getting jobs in the power stations in their backyards. Amos Mboweni, Eskom General Manager, received the memorandum and promised to respond within two weeks.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Silver Sibiya at GroundUp

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