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Phalaborwa Chamber of Industry & Commerce
An African adage says “the wealth of fools shall be pillaged by the clever”. This old truth has stood the test of African ignorance and naivety. What is so interesting about this old truth is its perpetuation in the midst of so much free access to information, knowledge, awareness, technology and markets.
Allow me to pay homage to His Majesty King Makikele I, The last Monarch of Ba-Phalaborwa Kingdom, who refused European settlers entry to Lolwe Mining territories (The Present Palabora Copper open pit ) in 1867 citing negative imperial impact detriment to the sovereign growth in industry, commerce and socio-economic development of His Nation.
In 1845, prior to denying imperial expedition of European invaders to His natural resources, His Majesty defeated Joao Albasini and his Magwamba Army, a Portuguese invader of Phalaborwa Kingdom. He kept the sovereignty of Baroka (Phalaborwa) intact until his death (May His Royal soul rise to restore His sovereignty.
The rich history of mining and metallurgy in Phalaborwa in the recent past is recorded in the oral traditions of the Ba-Phalaborwa people. Phalaborwa was central to trade routes that extended from the Indian Ocean coast to interior communities. Along with other goods — such as salt, agricultural produce, cattle, cotton cloth, and glass beads — the iron and copper mined in this region circulated in regional and global trading systems.
The copper mines at Phalaborwa were mined for more than a thousand years and provide the missing link between the first and second millennia. The mines also coincide with the rise of socio-political complexity in the region as a result of invasion, occupation, and annexation by European settlers.
We cannot continue to feed the West and the East’s industrial hunger without being at the dinner table. It is a suicidal course should we continue doing as we do right now — ceding our rights to our heritage — hence the socio-economic degradation and underdevelopment across the board.
It is incumbent on the Phalaborwa Chamber of Industry and Commerce to restore the industrial vibrancy His Majesty King Makikele I left, now pillaged.
Our Core
01
Vision
To create a vibrant, smart, and globally competitive community rooted in sustainable industry and better living standards.
2
Mission
To revive Ba-Phalaborwa’s industrial and commercial legacy by restoring resource ownership, empowering local enterprise, and driving inclusive development.
3
Values
We uphold integrity, honour our heritage, promote self-reliance, and empower our people through sustainable and sovereign development.
Our Route
- We are committed to establishing shared-value partnerships with technological experts, industrialists, and markets with a global footprint.
- Section 24(b)(iii) of the South African Constitution is an indictment on the Phalaborwa Chamber of Industry and Commerce, giving effect to Section 2(d), (e), (f), (g) of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act and Article 1 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
- Section 25(4)(a), (b), as read with Sections 233 and 235 of the Constitution, as well as Articles 3, 20(1), 23, 25, 26(1)(2), 28(1), and 29(1) of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, provides an instrument to navigate our industrialization programme.
Our Partners
We are committed to establishing shared-value partnerships with technological experts, industrialists, and markets with a global footprint.