As a Mandela Day initiative, coal mining major Anglo American Thermal Coal (AATC) pledged R250 000 on July 18 to the Ikhaya Lethemba centre for abused women and children, in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.

Speaking at the centre’s Mandela Day event, Gauteng Department of Community Safety chief director Sipho Thanjekwayo said that the donation would be used to buy specialist equipment needed by forensic social workers, such as two-way cameras and a two-way intercom for the centre’s forensic interview room and specialised toolkits.

“This year’s donation will ensure that 30 forensic social workers currently being trained at the University of Cape Town, who will be stationed at Ikhaya Lethemba, are fully equipped. They will assist victims of domestic and sexual violence through the criminal justice system to ultimately achieve a high conviction rate in cases of violence against women and children,” Gauteng Department of Community Safety head Mongezi Tshongweni said at the event.

“Donations, such as the R250 000 pledged by AATC, have great value, as they give us the opportunity to do more with the funds in our budget,” Tshongweni told Mining Weekly.

He added that the department was not looking at the contributions made by AATC in isolation but was considering them as part of a long-lasting partnership, through which it could make a difference in the lives of victims of gender-based violence.

“Mandela Day does not represent an isolated event, but rather an ongoing partnership,” he said.

Meanwhile, AATC head of public affairs Bheki Khumalo agreed, emphasising that the company viewed the donation as an ongoing initiative and not only an initiative for July 18.

“Through this donation, AATC is showing that it has a heart. “We may not be able to be at the centre every day to help, but in spirit we are here, supporting government and the country,” he said.

Last year, AATC donated equipment to the value of R500 000 – the largest donation from a private company, Gauteng Department of Community Safety programme director Merita Ground pointed out at the Mandela Day event.

The equipment bought with the R500 000 pledged by AATC in 2012 included a 16-seater Quantum minibus, which was unveiled at the 2013 Mandela Day event, TV room equipment, medico-legal equipment and electronic beds.

In addition to the donation made to Ikhaya Lethemba, AATC also donated R250 000 to Gordon Primary School, in Alexandra and R100 000 to The Hamlet, a Turffontein-based centre meeting the needs of intellectually disabled children and adults.