Reuters

A South African kingdom that partly governs a small stretch of the country's platinum belt has managed to transform mineral wealth into social stability.

The Royal Bafokeng Nation has funnelled money it earns from its Royal Bafokeng Platinum (RBPLat) company into a mini sovereign wealth fund that provides cash for schools, clinics and infrastructure.

A little larger than New York City, the kingdom stands out as a beacon of success amid the poverty of the platinum belt, which is home to nearly 80 percent of the world's known platinum reserves.

Although the nation is often called “the country's richest tribe”, it is still far from a paradise.

Its unemployment rate is well above the national average and crime is high, as are HIV infection rates. RBPLat pays its workers about the same as other platinum firms.

But the wages appear to go much further because of the kingdom's social spending, residents say.

For pensioners such as Baanjo Mfulmwane, the kingdom sends out vans to shuttle them for medical treatment: “There is someone to pick me up even though I don't have money,” she said.

Schools

At Lemao Boitshoko's school in Phokeng (the capital city), classmates play soccer under solar-powered floodlights on a synthetic pitch imported from Italy - facilities that would be difficult to find elsewhere in the platinum belt.

“I want to be a doctor. I can do that anywhere, but it's a lot easier to do because I live here,” Boitshoko said.

Public schools have, at the minimum, qualified teachers, books, desks and electricity. The ratio of students passing a high school graduation exam in the Bafokeng kingdom is about 20 percentage points above the national average.

Accomodation

Most miners in the Bafokeng Nation live with their families in modest homes connected to electricity lines and clean water, and along paved roads where garbage is regularly collected.

The conditions are far better than the shanties around many South African platinum mines, where miners pay to live alone in shacks without water, electricity and plumbing, sending money to extended families far away.

Investments

The kingdom set up Royal Bafokeng Holdings in 2006 to manage and develop its commercial assets, merging two other funds. It is a major shareholder in Impala Platinum and Zurich Insurance Company South Africa, and holds shares in major telecoms firm Vodacom and local manufacturers.

The holding company's portfolio was valued at $2.92 billion, according to its 2011 annual report. In 2010, it provided an $92.92 million dividend to the Royal Bafokeng Nation, equal to about $620 per person.

Three quarters of the dividend went to schools, sewage systems, roads, electric lines, sports, police, housing and social welfare, according to the kingdom's accounts published on the Internet, providing additional benefits over and above what the local and national governments spend.

The remainder, about $23.23 million, was spent on administration, including an undisclosed salary for the king.

The Future

At the current rate of platinum extraction, the mineral reserves in the Bafokeng land will last another 35 to 40 years, according the kingdom's estimates.

King Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi, born in 1968, trained as an architect and has a penchant for well-tailored suits. He is said to understand that the platinum wealth provides only a short timeframe to transform the kingdom.

“Our governance and internal controls must be benchmarked against the very best,” he wrote in the kingdom's master plan.

“Our plans must be realistic and affordable.”

Each citizen of Royal Bafokeng is worth US$26,000 dollars (N9,9 million)

TMKsouth:
The King. The Business.

Extreme greediness only you chop o.p only you chop f.t.c thunder strike me if this thread hits frontpage.

LEBONE COLLEGE OF THE ROYAL BAFOKENG

Nice to know there is an African tribe that transmutes her natural resources to wealth for the larger community.

HOUSING

I love the housing estate, makes a lot of sense.

TMKsouth:
Each citizen of Royal Bafokeng is worth US$26,000 dollars

Hmmm

XXXXTENTACION:
Extreme greediness only you chop o.p only you chop f.t.c
thunder strike me if this thread hits frontpage.

What do you mean?

ROYAL BAFOKENG PALACE (STADIUM)

The only privately-owned stadium used to stage the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, and was the smallest.

TMKsouth:
LEBONE COLLEGE OF THE ROYAL BAFOKENG

Beautiful natural architecture and kids

.

Sane environment. Their housing system is wooooow

Why be say na only bad bad things naija dey carry first.

Wow. Breathtaking photos I must say

TMKsouth:
ROYAL BAFOKENG PALACE (STADIUM)

The only privately-owned stadium used to stage the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, and was the smallest.

you again?

Ho ho ho..you are going to rifle some furthers TMK

selemempe:
you again?

Ironically, this question should be directed to you..why are you on every SA thread?

IronGalaxy:
Ironically, this question should be directed to you..why are you on every SA thread?

It's actually dumb to ask a Nigerian what he's doing in a Nigerian forum, you are from South Africa what are you doing here?

selemempe:
you again?

Yes, we meet again . What are your opinions on the topic?

Nice.. Get the best LOGO design deal... Check my portfolio for samples

IronGalaxy:
Ironically, this question should be directed to you..why are you on every SA thread?

Some South African denied him a promotion in "Qatar". Same thing happened to Iceyjayz in "Dubai". Now they are venting.

TMKsouth:


Some South African denied him a promotion in "Qatar". Same thing happened to Iceyjayz in "Dubai". Now they are venting.

Do you even believe those fairy tales? These people are in Kaduna mate

Iceyjayz:
It's actually dumb to ask a Nigerian what he's doing in a Nigerian forum, you are from South Africa what are you doing here?

Lol, the way you talk about this rubbish forum like it's some gold. Imagine an American telling you they have right to your Facebook account because Facebook is American

IronGalaxy:
Do you even believe those fairy tales? These people are in Kaduna mate

LMAO I always wondered why people balling in Dubai and Qatar would be so obsessed with good-old stupid and lazy South Africa. Following me everywhere.

More pictures please

CivilzedTyger:
Why be say na only bad bad things naija dey carry first.

Even here in Kuvukiland we are asking that question...chai

IronGalaxy:
Ironically, this question should be directed to you..why are you on every SA thread?

why are you Bantus on a Nigerian forum?

IronGalaxy:
Do you even believe those fairy tales? These people are in Kaduna mate

of course we are in Kaduna because we couldn't possibly travel to Dubai or Qatar...those places are exclusively reserved for Mzansis

You now see clearly why the Afrikaans called you guys Bantus?

TMKsouth:


Yes, we meet again . What are your opinions on the topic?

my honest opinion is that South Africa more than any other black country has been built on a solid foundation to rival European countries.
You guys should not let us down. Stop looting legitimate businesses of your fellow blacks in drug-induced rage just because you think they are the cause of your high unemployment.
South Africa is a large country... your government should come up with a policy of immigration to attract at least 1 million upward mobile professionals from around Africa to come and build a truly world-class country. Canada, US and Australia are currently doing it. UK and Ireland plan to start it (for Hong Kongers)

There are many professionals around Africa looking to move to Canada and Australia who south Africa can gain if you start implementing better policies

Let's just agree that Johannesburg has seen better days

selemempe:
my honest opinion is that South Africa more than any other black country has been built on a solid foundation to rival European countries.
You guys should not let us down. Stop looting legitimate businesses of your fellow blacks in drug-induced rage just because you think they are the cause of your high unemployment.
South Africa is a large country... your government should come up with a policy of immigration to attract at least 1 million upward mobile professionals from around Africa to come and build a truly world-class country. Canada, US and Australia are currently doing it. UK and Ireland plan to start it (for Hong Kongers)

There are many professionals around Africa looking to move to Canada and Australia who south Africa can gain if you start implementing better policies

Let's just agree that Johannesburg has seen better days

I thought you were the Giant of Africa, why don't you implement all these policies yourselves and leave us in our drug-induced slumber?!

Would have given your message a fair hearing coz you made some valid points but it was also riddled with insults. So ...

Ahamefuna0001:
Wow. Breathtaking photos I must say

There's more from where that came from