Manungu Colliery

The Maths & Science Camp is one of the first projects Mbuyelo has been a part of as a means to assist the community in its development. Just like in the Swartklip community mentioned above, Manungu constructed a creche dining hall whilst repairing toilets and doors of the said creche of the Thema community. Also done for the Thema community was the painting of the creche play area, and the donation of blankets to an estimated eighty (80) children.

For the community of Botleng, we took on projects such as the donation of computers and a printer; and alongside that, the installation of burglar bars to protect this well-meant investment. We went further with the construction of a school hall; but our biggest highlight, is the clinic upgrade project. This clinic will touch many lives as it improves healthcare services in the area, thus giving them the gift of a longer and more fulfilling lifespan. Contributions to the community that are sustainable are our ideal objective, so projects such as the purchase of a mobile kitchen unit and freezers, and the purchase of an embroidery machine are just as meaningful as a direct donation of scientific calculators- as we did for the students of Phaphamani Secondary School.

Ntshovelo Colliery keeps on giving

2020 was not an easy year for anyone, with so many people being infected and affected by the corona virus (“COVID-19”) pandemic; the impoverished took a knock the most. This is when Ntshovelo (a Mbuyelo Coal mine), came dashing in to the community of Arbor, in an effort to alleviate the challenges imposed by the pandemic.

Ntshovelo collaborated with the Department of Health that was stationed at Arbor for 3days, aiding with information dissemination, education about the virus and passing on awareness materials. They did not stop there, Ntshovelo donated cloth masks to the community, then they prepared generous food parcels enough to feed 50 families in Ward 09/Arbor. Following that, they donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and COVID-19 related equipment to Arbor Primary School.

Just when we thought they had called it a day, Ntshovelo embarked on training 10 community members for driver’s licenses – five for code 10, and five for code 14 respectively.

It has been said, that “generosity is the habit of giving freely without expecting anything in return” (-Anonymous). Ntshovelo’s habit of giving never tires because it is not driven by praises.

Mavungwani lends a helping hand through a difficult 2020

One of the mine’s main objective is to improve the quality of learning environment through ongoing donations. One such example is the donation of the fourth mobile classroom in Goebram Primary School. The project cost a generous two hundred and twenty-three thousand rands (R223 000), all in an effort to tackle the situation with the over crowdedness that occurred when Welgemeend Primary closed down in 2019. Previously, Mavungwani had donated three mobile classrooms to Goebram Primary. Today, all four classrooms are electrified and air conditioners installed. One hundred and fifty thousand rands(R150 000) later, the children are be able to do their level best, being in a conducive environment.

Under Social Development is the Community Care Centre which was put together for the community of Carolina. This was not part of the Local Economic Development (“LED”) commitments, but a request from the community which the mine felt strongly about. The update on this Centre, is that the connection of Municipal Services has been completed. This includes sewer, water and electricity. The centre is officially ready to be occupied. The Community Centre- structure and the Municipal Services alone, has come to a robust R1.2 million so far and worth every cent! That’s not all, the mine plans on furnishing the Centre because the police station plans on using it as a victim friendly centre.

The social outreach project that Mavungwani was involved in this year was the donation of COVID-19 dust masks and gloves to front-liners in the community surrounding the mine.

Mavungwani has been an active participant of society in curbing the issues surrounding Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Femicide in and around its surrounding communities. In an event held at Matla Coal on the 20th of November 2020, the Colliery was acknowledged for being one of the first mines complying with all the criteria with regards to the submitted action plan, budget and management commitment towards eliminating GBVF in the mining industry.

These handsome amounts mentioned above went towards community projects- all of these before Mbuyelo begins with its LED commitments. This is a true reflection of the mine’s caring spirit towards the people of Goebram and other areas surrounding the operation.