AFRICAN BUZZ •
EXXARO EMPOWERS LOCAL COMMUNITIES
As part of Exxaro Resources ’ dedication to powering possibilities in Africa , Exxaro ’ s Matla Coal handed over two projects to the Emalahleni Local Municipality on 15 April 2021 .
This handover forms part of the company ’ s 2015 – 2020 Social and Labour Plan commitments to the Department of Minerals and Resources and Energy . The projects are in Kriel , Ga-Nala , Mpumalanga , and seek to benefit the local communities in this area .
“ Exxaro remains committed to investing in initiatives that build sustainable communities . We are pleased with the progress we have made in our SLP delivery and completing these projects during a challenging year in 2020 . We were able to do this through partnerships and contributions from our local government partners , the SMMEs involved , and the Ga-Nala community ,” says Mzila Mthenjane , executive head of Stakeholder Affairs at Exxaro .
Local SMMEs were contracted to fully refurbish existing facilities , the first being an Enterprise and Supplier Development ( ESD ) centre . The facility is housed in a repurposed bakery building that was obtained from the Emalahleni Local Municipality and will offer business acumen training as well as personalised business mentorship . Raizcorp will be providing much-needed business development programmes . The centre will also act as a supplier walk-in centre where vendors and prospective suppliers can access procurement opportunities available at Matla Coal Mine . With support like this , local SMMEs will be able to thrive and become major role players in the supply chain processes of Exxaro , helping to grow the local economy . Approximately R8 800 000 was spent on the community project , with an additional R6 200 000 envisaged for further development of local SMMEs , including current suppliers at Matla Coal . In addition , 18 temporary job opportunities were created for local community members .
The second project is the Ga-Nala Sports Field , which was upgraded and renovated to provide a safe sports and fitness training facility to the community . Renovations completed include change rooms , bathrooms , roofing , re-electrification , installation of concrete palisade fence and security gates , landscaping , and installation of new goal posts . The sports field is located in Ward 26 in Kriel and is used by local community members for sporting activities . A total of R2 300 000 was spent on the upgrading work , with 34 temporary job opportunities created for the local community of Ga-Nala .
Both these projects have contributed to creating a safe space for adults and children alike to work on following their dreams .
“ We are proud to be handing over these two facilities to the Emalahleni Local Municipality and the Ga-Nala community . These are important facilities in the context of our people development programme , and we look forward to seeing thriving small businesses and sports champions developing from the community of Ga-Nala ,” says Matla Coal BU manager Stephen Badenhorst .
Exxaro ’ s handover of these facilities to the Emalahleni Local Municipality and the Ga-Nala community reaffirms the mining giant ’ s commitment to powering possibilities in Africa and beyond . The company ’ s commitment to projects like these shows that it is dedicated to building resilient and selfsufficient communities in the long term by implementing local development initiatives to improve social infrastructure and education , as well as promoting employment and local procurement . By continuing their investment in initiatives such as these , our country ’ s future holds hope for the youth . •
Exxaro
Exxaro is empowering local communities in Mpumalanga . www . africanmining . co . za
African Mining • June 2021 • 7