One of the greatest challenges facing post-apartheid South Africa is the need to reconcile the socio-economic needs of a historically disadvantaged majority with the economic needs of the country and the financial objectives of the mining houses.

The establishment of the Joint Development Forum (“JDF”), during 2002, between the Sekhukhune District Municipality and its five local municipalities, together with various mining companies in the Eastern Limb Mining Area illustrates that co-operative governance, in terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa can be successfully implemented, not only between the various spheres of government and organs of state, but also between the various spheres of government and the private sector.