In honour of Mandela Day, Anglo American's Coal business invested a further R450,000 in the upliftment of vulnerable people in the Johannesburg area. Two of the social upliftment projects are receiving the funding for the third year this year and one is receiving it for the second year. These include a R150,000 donation to Ikhaya Lethemba, Gauteng's flagship one-stop centre for abused women and children based in Braamfontein. Another R150,000 went to The Hamlet, a Turfontein-based centre which meets the needs of intellectually disabled children and adults.
Two of the three handovers happened simultaneously on Mandela Day at The Hamlet and Ikhaya Lethemba. Due to school holidays, the third handover of yet another R150 000 donation will take place on Tuesday, 22 Jul where the Gauteng MEC for Basic Education, Panyaza Lesufi will receive ICT equipment on behalf of Gordon Primary School in Alexandra Township. At the Ikhaya Lethemba handover, the CEO of Anglo American’s Coal business in South Africa Mr Themba Mkhwanazi gave a warm message of support before handing over the donation to MEC of Community Safety, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane.
Speaking at the event, the Gauteng MEC for Community Safety gave background about the formation of the centre as well as applauded Anglo American's contribution to Ikhaya Lethemba, saying that through its contribution it was making room for abused woman and children to receive speedy and reliable treatment and attention when reporting a case. “The contribution of Thermal Coal is a wonderful way of giving life to the wish of Nelson Mandela that people must contribute to society in a meaningful way. We appreciate the way that the private sector is contributing to our programmes to ensure that the legacy of the great statesman continues to live on in all of us. Ikhaya Lethemba has changed empowered and changed the lives of many ‘clients’ (as we respectfully refer to victims) and continues to give hope to society,” she said.
Mr Themba Mkhwanazi said the company's support of these causes is linked to its overall core and philosophy: "Anglo American places firm emphasis on responsibility in the way in which we conduct business, as we believe that mining is an activity that can help transform people's lives in a positive and lasting way. It is our privilege to support these projects in providing the most vulnerable and poor with the necessary tools to further their personal development. "Not only are we giving to these facilities to meet their immediate needs, but our greatest motivation is that we live an impactful legacy that will outlive us for generations to come. This sustained support will allow them to reach their full potential, and will result in a real and sustainable difference in our society."
Apart from the financial investment, the company’s employees put their weight behind the global movement and helped to clean and paint some of the rooms in the 8-storey building. The company’s latest donation to Ikhaya Lethemba brings its total investment to the shelter close to R1 million since its initial pledge in 2012.
To date, funding has been directed towards the purchase of a 16-seater Quantum to provide transport for the children and mothers, the upgrading of the aging building's plumbing and electrical infrastructure, television sets and DVD players for its expansive residential quarters and specialised equipment for its medical ward. This month the centre will also launch a fantasy park; an indoors play park where mothers and children under the age of six will play together in a safe, therapeutic environment with funding from Anglo American.
Ikhaya Lethemba, which means 'Home of Hope', is a government flagship project that provides support for women and children from across the Gauteng province, who have been sexually, emotionally and physically abused. The shelter can accommodate up to 150 women and children for a period of up to nine months. The home further houses a multi-disciplinary team able to render a variety of essential services. Victims have access to medico-legal services, court preparation for children and adults, child assessment, specialised counselling and skills development training.