Stakeholder Engagement Beyond Public Participation: A Qualitative Stakeholder Perspective by Barberton Mines | Chapter 4 | New Advances in Business, Management and Economics Vol. 12

 

The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) is one of the key legislative frameworks in South Africa, aiming to develop fair and sustainable standards within the mining sector. Effective implementation of Section 52 of the MPRDA is necessary to encourage meaningful stakeholder engagement in the mining sector. Barberton Mines, located in the old Umjindi Local Municipality within the Mbombela City Local Municipality, includes the Barberton Tailings Retreatment Plant (BTRP), which is located inside the Fairview Mine's mining right footprint. Despite the regulatory framework in place to ensure that mining operations consider the interests of local communities, there are still concerns about how effectively Barberton Mines has consulted its stakeholders when making operational decisions. With an eye towards stakeholder participation, this chapter investigates how Barberton Mines implements Section 52 of the MPRDA, therefore clarifying the efficacy of present engagement policies and pointing out areas for improvement. This study used a qualitative research approach, which involved thorough reviews of existing documents and literature, DMRE guidelines, and Barberton Mines reports, to find important information about how the community views the company and how well its communication strategies work. Findings indicate that Section 52 plays a critical role in promoting a culture of engagement and collaboration among stakeholders. The results also highlight how open communication and openness are absolutely necessary to build confidence and cooperative partnerships with other towns. The Barberton Mine, although there is always room for improvement, exemplifies effective engagement strategies that benefit both the company and the local community. Barberton Mines' comprehensive approach to managing the COVID-19 pandemic highlights its dedication to the health and safety of its employees and the broader community. Notwithstanding current legal systems, Barberton Mines finds it difficult to properly involve stakeholders; problems, including poor communication channels, insufficient community consultations, and little participation of local stakeholders, have been seen. The study reveals the main drivers and challenges to effective stakeholder involvement, which results in customised recommendations meant to close compliance gaps with MPRDA criteria. Establishing an effective Stakeholder Development Forum (SDF) is vital for fostering collaborative partnerships and facilitating meaningful interaction among diverse stakeholders, particularly in resource extraction contexts. The study also emphasises the value of corporate social investment (CSI) projects, illustrating Barberton Mines' dedication to solving community welfare issues by means of infrastructure development, health care enhancements, and educational support. The study concludes that Barberton Mines' sustained operational performance relies on establishing a robust stakeholder engagement framework that incorporates diverse community perspectives and facilitates open communication channels. The study recommends the transparent inclusion of representatives from a range of stakeholders, including local businesses, non-governmental organisations, and community leaders, as well as representatives from traditional local authorities.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Bongani June Mwale
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, Corner of Miriam Makeba and Helen Joseph, Johannesburg, South Africa.

 

Blondel Nyamkure
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, Corner of Miriam Makeba and Helen Joseph, Johannesburg, South Africa.

 

Percival Motha
Baobab Building No. 1. Government Boulevard, Legislature & Government Complex, Riverside Park Ext. 2. Mbombela, South Africa.

 

Vincent Zulu
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, Corner of Miriam Makeba and Helen Joseph, Johannesburg, South Africa.

 

Nkateko Maluleke
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, Corner of Miriam Makeba and Helen Joseph, Johannesburg, South Africa.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/nabme/v12/6810

From Consultation to Collaboration: Harnessing Stakeholder Involvement for Innovation in Higher Education | Chapter 9 | Quality Assurance Practices for Transformative Higher Education in Southern Africa

This chapter explores the shift from traditional consultation to active collaboration in higher education to foster innovation and adapt to evolving industry and societal needs. Traditionally, higher education institutions have engaged stakeholders through various consultation mechanisms (i.e., surveys, advisory boards, etc.). While valuable, these mechanisms often fail to fully leverage stakeholder expertise in shaping institutional strategy and curriculum. This chapter argues that true innovation in higher education requires moving towards a more collaborative model, where stakeholders co-create solutions, share knowledge and engage in decision making. Using document analysis, case studies were drawn from Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus and JSTOR to articulate the importance of collaboration, the evolution of stakeholder involvement in higher education, alignment of the curriculum with industry needs, interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving and accelerated innovation. It also looks at key strategies for fostering collaboration, such as creating partnerships, incorporating diverse stakeholder feedback and leveraging digital platforms. This chapter also emphasises empowering stakeholders to take an active role in educating pupils about the intricacies of contemporary human capital.

 

Author (s) Details

 

Dangarembwa George
University of the Free State South Africa, South Africa.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-93-49729-81-0/CH9