Alexkor and the Richtersveld community

A dysfunctional partnership between the Richtersveld community and Alexkor, South Africa's state mining company, has trapped both parties in interwoven dependencies, leading to social disruption, conflict, and mistrust. Despite a 49% sharehold for the community following land restitution in 2003, governance collapse and mismanagement left them without representation, allowing Alexkor to effectively control the partnership. By 2020, both partners were under administration, and the joint venture was bankrupt, exacerbated by national agendas, corruption, and state capture. Interviews reveal deep-seated issues, including loss of investments by local contractors and a cycle of dependency that perpetuates historical injustices.

van der Watt, P. (2023). Alexkor and the Richtersveld community. Local Responses to Mine Closure in South Africa, 104–120. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003403326-10