Ventersdorp Youth Protest and the New Mine Controversy

On 18 September 2025, the streets of Ventersdorp were filled with burning tyres, makeshift barricades, and chants from a frustrated youth. The protest was more than just a show of discontent, it was the latest chapter in a long-standing battle over governance, service delivery, and economic opportunities in this small North West town.

Two issues stand at the heart of the unrest: first, the demand for Ventersdorp to separate from the JB Marks Local Municipality, an amalgamation with Potchefstroom that residents say has left their town neglected; and second, anger over the revival of a local diamond mine that, instead of uplifting unemployed youth, has allegedly hired outsiders while overlooking the local community.

This report examines both dimensions, the political backdrop of the municipality dispute and the controversy surrounding the new mine, while also reflecting on the implications for the people of Ventersdorp.

Background: The JB Marks Merger

The JB Marks Local Municipality was created in August 2016 after the national government merged the Tlokwe City Council (Potchefstroom) with the Ventersdorp Local Municipality. Officially, the aim was to streamline governance, improve service delivery, and stabilize municipal finances under the umbrella of the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality.

From day one, however, many Ventersdorp residents opposed the move. They felt it was a forced political decision that ignored local voices. Critics accused the ruling party of pushing the merger to maintain control of Potchefstroom, where opposition parties were gaining ground.

Eight years later, much of the skepticism has hardened into resentment. Residents argue that rather than improving conditions, the merger left Ventersdorp worse off:

• Service Delivery Decline: Water cuts, potholes, and poor waste management have become everyday frustrations.

• Unrealized Development: Projects like the long-promised “N14 Development” (a mall, fuel station, and schools) vanished from the agenda after the merger.

• Fiscal Inequality: While 65–75% of Potchefstroom residents pay rates, only about 15–20% of Ventersdorp households do, yet both towns must share one budget. Locals argue this leaves Ventersdorp with crumbs while Potchefstroom enjoys the lion’s share of resources.

• Loss of Political Voice: Decisions affecting Ventersdorp are made in Potchefstroom, where Ventersdorp councillors are a small minority.

For years, petitions and memoranda have been sent to the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB), calling for the reversal of the amalgamation. In 2025 alone, nearly 14,000 residents signed a petition to restore Ventersdorp’s independence. But in August, the MDB announced it would not redraw the boundaries. The decision sparked fury, especially since the Board’s own technical report reportedly concluded that the 2016 merger had been “a disaster” and recommended de-amalgamation.

The September 18 Youth Protest

The MDB’s rejection was the spark that lit the fire. On 18 September, hundreds of Ventersdorp youth marched into the streets. They blocked the N14 highway, the main economic artery between Gauteng and the North West, with burning tyres and stones. Businesses closed, taxis halted services, and the usually quiet farming town ground to a standstill.

The protesters carried placards demanding:

• “Ventersdorp Out of JB Marks!”

• “We Want Our Own Municipality!”

• “Jobs for Locals, Not Outsiders!”

The protest highlighted two intertwined grievances: political marginalisation under JB Marks and economic exclusion from the town’s diamond mine.

Community leaders submitted a memorandum of demands to JB Marks officials. Chief among them was the call to dissolve the amalgamation and re-establish Ventersdorp as an independent municipality.

The local mayor’s office quickly responded by holding talks with protest representatives. While the mayor admitted he had no authority to dissolve the merger, he promised to forward the demand to the provincial government and the MDB. He also pledged to address some immediate service delivery issues. In exchange, protesters agreed to suspend their demonstrations temporarily.

For now, Ventersdorp has returned to a fragile calm, but locals have warned: if promises are not kept, protests will resume.

The New Mine: Promise or Betrayal?

Alongside the political grievances, the revival of a local diamond mine has become a flashpoint for anger. Known historically as the Tirisano Mine, the operation lies on the outskirts of Ventersdorp near the Ga-Mogopa community.

Ownership and History

• The mine was originally developed in the early 2000s through a partnership between the BaKwena Ba Mogopa community and Etruscan Diamonds, a Canadian-linked company.

• By 2010, Rockwell Diamonds had taken over with a 74% stake, investing millions into upgrading the plant.

• After several financial struggles and labor disputes, the mine was mothballed around 2012 and lay dormant for years.

• In 2025, new investors reopened the mine, promising jobs and economic revival.

Employment Controversy

Instead of celebration, the reopening sparked outrage. Protesters allege that:

• Jobs were not advertised transparently within Ventersdorp.

• Outsiders, both from other provinces and foreign nationals, were given priority.

• Local unemployed youth were sidelined, even for unskilled or entry-level positions.

Given that youth unemployment in Ventersdorp is staggeringly high, these allegations feel like a betrayal. For many young people, the mine represented their one real chance at steady employment. Seeing outsiders hired has fueled resentment and reinforced feelings of exclusion.

Environmental and Social Concerns

The mine is also accused of:

• Polluting local land and water sources.

• Leaving open pits and environmental scars on community land.

• Failing to invest in social responsibility projects, such as schools, clinics, or infrastructure.

Local leaders describe the situation as an “environmental disaster in the making.” They are demanding government oversight to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and a binding commitment to community development.

Community Outlook and Next Steps

Ventersdorp’s grievances are both political and economic, and resolving them will require action on multiple fronts:

1. Governance: The call for de-amalgamation will not disappear. Even if the MDB refuses to redraw boundaries before the 2026 elections, pressure will mount on political parties to take a stand. Opposition parties already back the demerger, while the ruling party appears hesitant.

2. Service Delivery: Immediate improvements in roads, water, and waste collection could ease tensions. But without long-term investment, Ventersdorp residents are unlikely to feel heard.

3. Mining Accountability: The new mine must engage directly with the community. Locals want a formal agreement guaranteeing job quotas for Ventersdorp residents, along with environmental safeguards and social development programs.

4. Youth Empowerment: The protest demonstrated the energy and determination of Ventersdorp’s youth. Civic leaders are now considering forming a youth forum to negotiate directly with the mining company and municipal officials.

Overall Outlook

The 18 September 2025 protest in Ventersdorp was more than just a flare-up of unrest. It was the culmination of nearly a decade of grievances, from the unpopular JB Marks amalgamation to the frustrations of being left out of local economic opportunities.

The revival of the town’s diamond mine, far from being a beacon of hope, has instead crystallized the community’s fears: that Ventersdorp’s resources are being extracted without its people benefiting. Combined with years of municipal neglect, this has created a combustible mix of anger and determination.

For now, Ventersdorp’s youth have put down their placards and cleared the barricades. But the message is clear: if promises are broken, the streets will once again echo with their demands. Ventersdorp is no longer willing to be silent. Its people want accountability, opportunity, and above all, the right to shape their own future.

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