Mine community uplifted

Better quality education can be achieved if there is co-operation between government and the private sector.

The community of Maruping village in Atok, Limpopo, are benefitting from a successful partnership between government and the private sector.

Bokoni Platinum Mine invested more than R8 million in community projects that aim to improve the lives of the people living close to the mine.

The projects include a refurbished administration block at Mahudu Primary School in Ga-Nkwana, an early childhood centre in Ga-Selepe and an access bridge in Ga-Manotwane.

Speaking at the official opening of the projects, Limpopo MEC for Education Ishmael Kgetjepe said the projects will go a long way towards improving the community.

“These donations by the mine are a gift born out of a realisation that education is the foundation of a successful and prosperous nation, like South Africa aspires to be. It is also born out of a realisation that without harnessing youth power through education, our gains which did not come about easily, can be easily reversed.”

Kgetjepe said the National Development Plan has premised most of its objectives on the delivery of world-class education for children.

“We have to work together to emphasise the importance of learning in contributing towards progress and development in our communities, particularly during these fast-changing times,” said MEC Kgetjepe. 

The MEC also called on the community to look after the new facilities.

“There can be more of these, but we have to protect what we have from various forms of vandalism.”

Bokoni spokesperson, Kenneth Mbewe said implementing projects that promote the wellbeing of the community is in line with the mine’s plans.

“We also utilised local small businesses in order to grow the local economy and create jobs for local people. Of all the completed projects, each one was constructed by a local entrepreneur through our Small, Medium and micro-sized Enterprises development and support programme,” said Mbewe.