Support for former mineworkers arrives in the Eastern Cape this week, as the Tshiamiso Trust rolls out the final leg of its 2025 outreach programme in Matatiele and KwaBhaca.
What Happened
The Tshiamiso Trust launched Phase 2 of its national outreach programme in August, targeting communities most affected by occupational lung diseases. This week’s sessions in Matatiele and KwaBhaca are the final stops for the year, providing support to former gold mineworkers and their families.
From 8 to 12 December, outreach teams will assist claimants with:
- Lodging new claims
- Completing outstanding documentation
- Undergoing Benefit Medical Examinations (BMEs)
- Understanding compensation eligibility
Event locations and dates:
| Location | Dates | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Matatiele | 8–9 December | Khotsong TB Hospital, 100 Jagger St |
| KwaBhaca | 11–12 December | Sophia Park Hall, KwaBhaca |
The outreach is a collaboration with the Office of the Premier and local municipalities.
Official Response
Dr Munyadziwa Kwinda, CEO of the Tshiamiso Trust, said:
“Our focus is on improving access, assisting families to navigate the claims process, and ensuring that eligible former mineworkers are supported to complete their claims correctly.”
Since August, the Trust has also conducted outreach in Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Botswana, eSwatini, and Mozambique. According to the Trust, only about 3 out of every 10 claims meet eligibility criteria based on medical and service history.
Community Impact
The campaign prioritises:
- Families of deceased mineworkers
- Claimants unreachable due to outdated contact info
- Those needing help to resume incomplete claims
- Mineworkers needing medical certification
The Trust warns against misinformation and stresses that all its services are free, except in limited medical exam cases. Claimants are urged to use only official channels:
- 📞 SA Call Centre: 080 1000 240
- 💬 WhatsApp: +27 78 504 9004
- 🌐 tshiamisotrust.com
Tshiamiso Trust Background
The Tshiamiso Trust was created after a historic class action settlement involving six major gold mining companies. It compensates mineworkers across Southern Africa who contracted silicosis or TB, or their dependents if the worker is deceased.