Exxaro Resources, the diversified mining and renewable energy solutions company in partnership with energy company TotalEnergies South Africa is proud to announce a donation of more than R930 000 to education programmes in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, supporting efforts to empower the local communities.
Exxaro believes that sustainable communities are created through proactive engagement, deep understanding of societal needs, and best practices. Furthermore, we recognise the importance of partnerships, as it allows for resource optimisation, thus having a broader reach in our communities. When our fuel supplier, TotalEnergies South Africa, donated funds for socio-economic development initiatives, we identified projects that would positively impact our communities.
In Lephalale, the lack of driver’s licences has impeded the youth from participating in employment opportunities. This is especially eminent in those who qualify as artisans at our Grootegeluk training centre, Grovos and other technical institutions. R500 000 was allocated to the driver’s licence training in Lephalale, prioritising these students.
Over the past years, education has been central to uplifting our communities. Exxaro recognises the importance of providing the basic needs for effective learning. As a result, Exxaro responded to the Nkangala District Municipality's request to participate in their school shoe donation campaign. We donated a total of 710 pairs of shoes to our schools where we operate, amounting to R516 000.
Exxaro Manager of Community Development, Ms Tebogo Leepile said investment into education support was part of the company’s commitment to the National Development Goals 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which aimed to improve the quality of education across South Africa.
“COVID-19 has by no doubt re-inforced the negative socio-economic feedback loops, where many jobs have been lost, impacting negatively on parents’ ability to provide for their children,” said Leepile.
“We cannot turn a blind eye to the needs of our host communities, and we as Exxaro cannot build these communities on our own. That is why we are glad we can magnify our work with the help of all our partners in producing practical solutions for real problems.”
Through the TotalEnergies South Africa contributions, our donation reached 710 primary schools’ learners in Victor Khanye, Emalahleni and Emakhazeni local municipalities.
Leepile said the driving licence programme for Lephalale TVET College would significantly impact the students, giving them an added advantage when applying for employment. These students are often recruited for work opportunities at Grootegeluk mine.
“The success of this project is the power of collaboration that has brought out the best of all involved to create a brighter future for many who have had severe social and economic challenges. We are extremely excited about what this will mean for our students, and we have no doubt it will change their lives for the better,” noted Frans De Lange, the Head of Technical Learning at Grovos.
Ms. Leepile said that education investment would remain central to Exxaro’s strategy of uplifting communities. “Through our integrated approach, we recognise the importance of providing the basic needs for effective learning. This commitment will continue as long as we can make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable,” she concluded.