Since 2011 Kumba has funded the construction of nine ECD centres at a total investment of R32 million. These centres are located in Kagung, Magojaneng, Seoding, Batlharos, Mothibistad, Dithakong, Glen Red, Cassel and Bankhara Bodulong.
The centres were officially handed over to the NCDoE at a community event at Lareng Primary School in Seoding, one of the centres constructed as part of this initiative. MEC of Education in the Northern Cape, Grizelda Cjiekella, remarked on the strategic importance of tri-sectoral partnerships between government, the private sector, and civil society as one of the best ways to ensure effective access to services, especially for the poorest sections of society.
"These remarkable developments and substantial contributions by Kumba Iron Ore since 2011, is indicative of the visionary and proactive leadership of all stakeholders involved. This has resulted in the dynamic and enduring partnership that has developed between the people, department and Kumba Iron Ore. This bears testimony to the power and achievements of constructive partnerships among the various sectors of society," Cjiekella said.
"The onus is upon us to continue to use these ECD centres to plant the seeds of tomorrow and to take charge of our lives and our province as proud, confident and united stakeholders in the education of our nation - the architects of a new and better future. We are grateful as government that Kumba Iron Ore has been so insightful to honour our women by making a tangible and potentially life changing contribution to the future of our province and our country through this thoughtful donation of ECD centres and equipment to the neediest of our learners.
"We hope the communities will demonstrate their appreciation of this investment by ensuring the safety of the equipment, and by utilising the resources and services offered by to improve their lives and help to fight poverty and its dire consequences," she concluded.
Kumba's initiative goes beyond just the construction and equipping of new centres. Through the ECD learnership programme, six passionate local women will now be trained as educators.
Norman Mbazima, CEO of Kumba Iron Ore, adds that the company considers the programme an investment in the present and the future. "If we want to attract and retain the most skilled employees, and live up to Anglo American's ambition of being the employer of choice, we need to make our people's environment as welcoming as possible. Importantly, if they have children, it is our duty to ensure that they have the best access to education possible."
Kumba believes that the company's continued growth is linked not only to their business operations but also on delivering on its social and environmental responsibilities. "We strive to transform the communities we partner with. We understand that real transformation begins with education, which is why we support such important educational programmes such as ECD," Mbazima concludes.
