Archive - 2011

The R19 million Kumba Batho Pele project is the latest in a series of upliftment initiatives aimed at meeting communities' needs and fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals, focussing on "A long and healthy life for all South Africans, which translates into reducing infant mortality, decreasing TB and HIV and Aids infection rates, decreasing death and disability caused by chronic diseases, and increasing the overall health of beneficiaries in general. Other recent initiatives which have made a significant difference thus far include the R19 million spent on the IDP infrastructure plans as part of the Sishen Mine Social & Labour Plan Projects and the R38 million spent on community development projects such as education, health and welfare. Kumba's Sishen Mine has already invested in excess of R9 million on poverty alleviation projects alone. These include projects aimed at creating local and sustainable jobs via socio-economic initiatives such as the Organic Compost Project, Organic Hone Bee Project, as well as the ART recycling plant. A further R2 million was also spent on the Alternative Energy" Zinc Air Fuel Cells Pilot Project situated at Manyeding a project which is highly responsive to the energy and electricity challenges in South Africa.

Sishen Mine's General Manager, Andrew Loots said, "We are proud to announce that we spent well over R72 million on our communities in the past year and we commit ourselves to even do more in future. At Sishen and Kumba, as a whole, mining is about the people and their well-being and we do not only count our success based on our profits, but also on the tangible impact that we made in people's lives."

Kumba's nine Batho Pele Health Mobile Units include a general practitioner (GP) unit, eye-care unit, dental-care unit, operating theatre, mobile clinic, voluntary testing and counselling (VTC) unit, ablution unit, accommodation unit and a kitchen unit. These units are all equipped with state of the art technology, ensuring that the best possible care and treatment are provided at all times.

The units will rotate on a four-week cycle between Madibeng, Gasese, Maphinickie and Kagung to serve the surrounding communities, with an estimated population of 14 800 people. Due to the realities of extreme lack of resources and modern infrastructure and vast distances separating communities from access to basic medical services, one can only imagine what a lifesaving difference this service will make. Especially when one considers the treatments that are now available to these communities: screening for chronic diseases, STI management, condom distribution, male circumcisions, laboratory tests, eye testing, cataract surgery, dental care and surgery and minor operations, to name but a few.

The Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, will officiate at the launch of the Batho Pele health service on 18 July, which will be held at Joe Morolong Municipal Offices in Churchill. The MEC for Health, MS Sokatsha, the Premier of the Northern Cape, Hazel Jenkins and Executive Mayor, John Taolo Gaetsewe District, Councillor S Mosikatsi and the Mayor of Joe Morolong Local Municipality, Councillor KE Molete will attend, along with 200 guests and approximately 2 500 community members. Andrew Loots, General Manager of Sishen Mine and Chris Griffith, Chief Executive of Kumba will also deliver messages. In addition, a vote of thanks will be delivered by Chief Toto.

These health units symbolise the essence of our Mzanzi spirit, which is aimed at creating a better life for all in the hope that the next generation will find even greater ways in which to make a positive and significant difference. In this way the legacy of Mr Mandela will continue to inspire change and upliftment where it is needed most.