About RBN

The RBN is a traditional community that strives to be socially, economically and environmentally sustainable, and remains true to its African heritage and traditions.

RBN History

It was under the leadership of Kgosi Mokgatle where the Bafokeng people pooled community resources to buy land. Using the missionaries that lived among them as proxies, they bought title deeds to the land they had been farming for over 400 years. The land was bought communally and owned accordingly. The tenacity and forward-thinking approach of the Bafokeng people was rewarded a few decades later when part of the Merensky Reef, containing the world’s largest deposit of platinum group minerals, was discovered on Bafokeng land. The RBN traded equitable royalties for the right to mine, entering into a royalty agreement with Impala Platinum and giving the mining company permission to conduct its mining activities on Bafokeng land in exchange for decent returns for the Nation. The broad objective of the RBN’s leadership has always been focused on ensuring that the current and future generations of the community benefit from the asset base which largely originated from the platinum deposits. Read more about RBN

RBN Facts

The RBN’s Vision 2035

is to continue to be “a relevant and innovative traditional African community in a changing world”. Three key concepts – relevant, innovative and traditional – guides everything we do, including RBH’s investments.

Plan ’35 is a developmental roadmap and strategic framework which guides the implementation of the vision of the RBN. Built around the understanding that mineral resources are finite, the framework provides a long-term perspective and plan of action to lead the Nation towards a prosperous and sustainable future. The framework draws from other developmental initiatives including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the National Development Plan and Rustenburg Local Municipality (RLM) Integrated Development Plans.

Plan ’35 is built on three pillars: individual development, community development, and sustainability and growth. The programme is geared towards empowering individuals and the broader community with the skills they need to be self-reliant.

The plan is also aimed at contributing to a Nation of healthy individuals who live in dignity, are proud of their identity and traditional heritage, and exercise stewardship of their resources. This is achieved through investment in the skills, community development initiatives and infrastructure required to grow and diversify the Nation’s economy, and create inter-generational wealth.

Plan ’35 includes a Spatial Masterplan for the built environment. The Spatial Masterplan proposes appropriate zoning for RBN land and aligns the spatial development of the Bafokeng with that of the Rustenburg Local Municipality and the rest of the North West province. Through it the RBN co-ordinates the development of residential areas and public goods such as hospitals, roads and water infrastructure.

RBH is committed to supporting the successful implementation of Plan ’35. The framework allows us to make a meaningful contribution to the well-being of the Nation by aligning our social investments with the goals and aspirations of our shareholder, as well as the developmental priorities of the RBN and broader South African society. In this, we partner with the RBNDT and other RBN entities. We also work closely with stakeholders including local government, NGOs and others in the private sector.