Former mineworkers and their families in the Eastern Cape have received more than R40 million through a government outreach programme helping beneficiaries access outstanding compensation and benefits.
The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), an entity of the Department of Employment and Labour, concluded its latest outreach at Mthatha Stadium following an intensive programme assisting former mineworkers and their dependants.
The initiative brought government services directly to communities, helping beneficiaries resolve outstanding claims linked to occupational diseases, workplace injuries and benefits owed to former mineworkers and their families.
Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth said more than R1.4 million in claims was paid on the first day of the outreach programme on 13 July 2026.
Since then, payments have exceeded R40 million.
“These are people who lost their husbands who worked in the mines, people who got injured, people who got occupational diseases like silicosis and TB, who are coming here searching for help, and it’s good that they’re finding their money,” Meth said.
The programme has brought together the UIF, Compensation Fund, Rand Mutual Assurance and several government departments to make it easier for former mineworkers and their families to access assistance.
Meth said the number of people attending the outreach demonstrated the continuing need to take services directly to communities.
“It is a very important programme, much needed by our people. You can see the numbers that come out whenever there is this outreach,” she said.
The initiative also provides beneficiaries with access to services required to complete their claims.
The Department of Health supported the programme with medical services, including X-rays needed by some former mineworkers affected by occupational diseases.
Financial institutions have also participated to help beneficiaries who face difficulties receiving payments because they do not have suitable bank accounts.
FNB assisted beneficiaries with opening accounts, while other banking partners supported efforts to ensure approved payments could reach recipients.
Meth said one of the programme’s most important features was its ability to resolve some claims and facilitate payments while beneficiaries were attending the outreach.
The programme also used interns to strengthen the capacity of Rand Mutual Assurance and support the processing of claims.
Meth and Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane participated in a round-table discussion with former mineworkers at the Mthatha Health Resource Centre at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital.
The engagement gave former mineworkers, government representatives and other stakeholders an opportunity to discuss challenges beneficiaries have experienced and assess progress in processing compensation and benefits.
For many former mineworkers and their families, accessing money owed to them can involve navigating administrative, medical and banking requirements.
Bringing these services together through the outreach programme is intended to reduce those barriers and help beneficiaries receive compensation and benefits for which they qualify.
The Eastern Cape initiative forms part of broader efforts to reach former mineworkers and their families, including people affected by occupational illnesses such as silicosis and tuberculosis.
With more than R40 million already paid, the programme demonstrates how coordinated government services can turn outstanding claims into financial support reaching former mineworkers and their families.
