Many stories have been written about the mines not doing anything to develop communities where the mines are located but it is a different story with communities around Kao which have left a million Maloti project to rot. According to Kao Chief Executive Officer, Mohale Ralikariki, a sum of M105, 000.00 is still kept in the bank following the closure of a poultry farm project which was run by the community since its handover six years back. The project was producing 1000 eggs per day and supplied the mine with the eggs while some were sold to the community members.

He said the project was one of the projects that the mine came up with together with leaders of the community as a way of giving back to the community and developing the community. However, the community seemed not to appreciate the project until its closure with no valid reasons. “The project gave jobs to 16 people as other community members took turns in taking care of the project. The mine has good intentions for the community of Kao but it seems that the community does not care much about the projects.

“There is no reason as to why the Kao community still does not have electricity because with projects that by now would have generated millions this community would be able to use that money to connect electricity to their homes. “The mine is not a lifetime project, it will soon close and if the community continues in this manner they will one day be left with nothing to hold on to when that time comes. If the community cares for a project such as that of a poultry farm after the mine closes down they would be able to hire one of the factory shells in Botha-Bothe in a bid to grow the project,” Mr. Ralikariki said.

Nqoe Community Councillor, Kamo Molefi said the community has been careless with the project and there have been plans to reinstate the project which have failed dismally. He however said the mine has promised to make sure that the project is running again and they are grateful for the move. He said there were misunderstandings between the members of the  community as some complained that some people broke more eggs during their shifts.

He promised Kao that when the project is reinstated they will work harder to make the project a success. Last week, Kao handed over a health center and five rooms for tourism and hospitality services to the community of Kao.