Thriving Communities

Lebelelang Disability Centre – partnership for dignity, inclusion and skills

A purpose‑built centre in Postmasburg enabling therapy, training and skills for persons with disabilities – delivered through public‑private partnership and now managed by Social Development.

On 12 September 2025, the Lebelelang Centre for People with Disabilities was formally opened in Postmasburg and handed to the Department of Social Development for ongoing management and integration into existing services. The event was officiated by Minister Gwede Mantashe with CEO Mpumi Zikalala, alongside provincial and local leadership.

Facilities & services:

Purpose‑built classrooms, therapy areas and multi‑purpose spaces to enable training, therapy and skills programmes with early plans including sports initiatives and library partnerships to boost participation and inclusion.

Built for impact:

Developed on a rehabilitated former waste site and positioned as a landmark milestone for disability inclusion.

Partnering for Possibility:

The centre was delivered through collaboration between Kumba Iron Ore, the Northern Cape Provincial Government, Tsantsabane Local Municipality, Department of Social Development, National Development Agency, Lesedi Power Project and Assmang Beeshoek Mine – demonstrating effective public‑private partnership for sustainable community infrastructure.

Economic uplift in delivery:

Construction created 83 local jobs, with capital and in‑kind contributions from partners (including energy support), reflecting shared value in action.

Community roots:

The centre builds on a two‑decade local effort led by community champions to secure dignified care and education access for persons with disabilities.

The Lebelelang Centre shows what’s possible when partners align around dignity and inclusion. With the Department of Social Development leading operations and community programmes ramping up, we’ll keep walking alongside Tsantsabane Local Municipality – measuring outcomes, strengthening skills pathways and ensuring this purpose‑built hub delivers lasting impact for persons with disabilities and their families

Community Bursary Programme

Why we invest

We are committed to investing in education as a strategic catalyst for sustainable, thriving local communities. Our community bursary programme demonstrates this commitment - supporting promising undergraduates in mining‑related and critical local skills, while opening pathways to work. We're actively fund tuition, prescribed books and accommodation, with structured vacation work/industry exposure in the Northern Cape.

What the programme looks like

Launched at Kolomela in 2024 and extended to Sishen in 2025, our comprehensive bursary programme supports undergraduates across different disciples including engineering, geology, surveying, data/analytics, environmental and other scarce‑skills.

Bursary recipients receive full financial assistance (tuition, books, accommodation) and workplace exposure during university breaks, building practical experience and confidence for the transition to employment. Since inception, our community bursary schemes supported local students. As an additional support mechanism, Kolomela launched a formal bursary mentorship programme in 2024, pairing mine professionals with bursars in a structured mentor – mentee model. The aim is to strengthen academic progress and provide social support from first year through to graduation.

By pairing comprehensive bursaries with mentoring, workplace exposure and partnerships, we’re turning local talent into opportunity. As more students progress from lecture hall to meaningful work in the Northern Cape, we’ll keep scaling what works – so that education remains a lasting engine of dignity, skills and shared prosperity for our communities.

Driving Local Economic Growth: Kathu Industrial Park

Since 2012, we commissioned feasibility work on a “modern‑day” industrial and commercial development in Kathu to catalyse positive and sustainable socio‑economic impact through job creation, community development and local growth. The concept – Kathu Industrial Park (KIP) is a 91‑hectare platform for industrial, warehousing, commercial, office and retail space to serve the Northern Cape’s mining and fast‑growing renewable energy sectors.

What KIP enables

KIP is designed as an enabling base for suppliers and manufacturers close to the iron‑ore/manganese belt and regional logistics (such as the N14/R380; airport access etc), offering scalable units, customised facilities and a business incubation and training centre to help SMMEs grow and localise supply chains. This positions Kathu as a practical hub for value‑adding services and light manufacturing that support mining, energy and related sectors.

Handing over to scale impact

To maximise the park’s potential, we facilitated public‑private engagement and supported a shift to a developmental initiative led by the Northern Cape Provincial Government and partner agencies. In 2025, we completed the handover of a 91‑hectare land parcel (valued at ~R62 million) to the Province – unlocking the next phase of development and aligning to the Northern Cape Industrial Corridor framework.

Looking ahead

KIP represents a catalyst for diversified, inclusive growth. We will continue to partner – sharing insights and aligning supplier development to turn this 91‑hectare platform into enduring opportunity for Kathu and the broader Northern Cape.