Many residents around Musina, Blouberg, farmers and Venetia mineworkers arrived in their numbers for their Covid-19 jabs at Venetia Mine on 26 August.
MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba, who was also present, said that the growing number of Covid-19 infections required urgent attention. "We have been working together with the mine bosses themselves, so that we can fast-track the issue of vaccinating mine workers. It will be a hybrid model that we will be using in the province, and there are certain mines that have indicated that they are ready," she said.
Ramathuba stated that mining was an important sector that kept the economy going. "Mines, however, can be regarded as super-spreaders of Covid-19 because workers work in groups. Our approach is now being replicated by other provinces with similar settings."
Limpopo has been hailed for taking the vaccine roll-out to the people. A ground-breaking model is being used by community leaders to ramp up the health department's vaccine roll-out programme in rural areas and convince more people to get their jabs.
Ms Mpumi Zikalala, De Beers Group's managing director, said many mine workers had already received their vaccines. "We aim to vaccinate all workers. On 26 August alone we vaccinated 1 000 workers and community members with the help of the Department of Health," she said.
"The intention is really to just cover the Venetia employees and, after that, extend the same initiative to the nearby communities. I think in the next coming weeks, the nearby communities surrounding Venetia Mine will be covered by this initiative," she said.
Mr Johannes Thapedi, an employee at Venetia Mine who received his jab, encouraged everyone in the sector to get vaccinated. "Everyone should come and get vaccinated, so that they can work safely. I feel that it is important for everyone," he said.