The Nama Khoi Local Municipality and De Beers Consolidated Mines announced the proclamation of the Kleinzee town, located in the Nama Khoi Local Municipality in Namaqualand. Two towns - Kleinzee and Koingnaas were established and managed by De Beers to cater for its employees working at Namaqualand Mines.

The proclamation of Koingnaas was announced on 6 August 2011, and the town is being integrated as part of the Kamiesberg municipality. Kleinzee will be integrated as part of the Nama Khoi Local Municipality in the time ahead.

In anticipation of the proclamation of the two towns, De Beers has invested about R90 million in the refurbishment of the infrastructure and the bulk services, to ensure both towns are in a good state when handed over to the respective municipalities, and do not become a financial burden going forward.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Aubrey Baartman, the Municipal Manager of the Nama Khoi Local Municipality said: “Throughout the engagement with De Beers, as the Nama Khoi Local Municipality, our objective was to ensure that what has been agreed is in the best interest of the local community. Proclamation will also ensure that our people get the necessary jobs and there can be more businesses being established in our area”. Namaqualand Mines General Manager, Christie Pisane said: “The proclamation of Kleinzee will enable for the first time, current and former De Beers’ employees, and the general public, to purchase and own houses in the two towns”.

“Following the proclamation of the two towns, De Beers will now focus all its efforts in ensuring that the mining rights are transferred to the Transhex led consortium, Emerald Panther Investments (EPI), and that sustainability projects are implemented successfully. We are in the process of implementing initiatives such as the Abalone project, the Wind Farm and the De Beers Zimele Enterprise development HUB to benefit local communities through ownership, jobs creation and skills transfer, for many years to come.”

The proclamation of Kleinzee will also involve De Beers donating land for agriculture and the expansion of the town, houses and sports and recreational facilities in Kleinzee to the Nama Khoi Municipality, to the value of R20 million. De Beers will continue to manage and maintain the two towns until the end of this year. Upon handover of the towns to the municipalities, contingency funds will be made available to the municipalities.

Christie Pisane expressed gratitude for the contribution of many towards the purpose including “ Nama Khoi Local Municipality, Mayor of the Nama Khoi Local Municipality, Tommy Cloete, the Speaker, Mr Joshua Losper and especially the Municipal Manager, Aubrey Baartman.”