Exxaro has always considered itself to be more than just a mining business. This means, investing in areas that, not only impacts the success of our business but also focuses on empowering the people we work with and serve.
We embrace and prioritise Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) as we strive to be a positive force for social change and economic empowerment. As per our 2018 Financial Results, Exxaro last year, contributed R180 million to ESD through grants and funding, supporting a total of 24 small businesses. .
By creating employment opportunities, Exxaro aims to improve the quality of life for others, which becomes possible by investing in business outside of the mining value chain.
Meet the three people impacted by Exxaro’s efforts to invest in non-financial and financial business support programmes:
Thabitha Chauke, Manager at Amokelani Farm Growing up near Hlagakwena village, Thabitha had a keen interest in farming. After growing vegetables on land owned by her parents, she knew she wanted more.
Realising her dream of one day running her own farm, Thabitha quickly discovered that she did not have the means to make this happen.
Exxaro recognised Thabitha’s passion and drive and wanted to reward her to do more. The resource company invested around R3 million in the project to help her hire permanent staff and improve infrastructure and skills training.
Besides the many walk-in clients, Amokelani Farm now supplies the town of Lephalale, as well as the Pretoria municipal market.
Thulani Dube, Owner of ZFGI Monumental Chickens Thulani Dube also recently benefitted from an enterprise development grant from Exxaro that helped him scale and automate his poultry business.
After leaving behind a career in finance to pursue his farming venture, Thulani purchased a piece of land and set up a chicken broiler operation.
With no technical training in farming, he enrolled in online courses and completed an MBA to better his knowledge and skills. Acknowledging his efforts, Exxaro awarded Thulani an R8.9 million grant for capital expenditure and infrastructure improvements.
The investment resulted in the potential for Thulani to triple his existing annual turnover of R4 million.
Mahapa Mpitso, CEO of Business Evolution Investments Two years ago, Mahapa presented Exxaro with a proposal to help grow local township businesses.
After receiving a grant from Exxaro, Mahapa’s focus went into developing businesses in the Belfast area.
Over seven months, 24 businesses took part in his unique programme that equipped them with the skills needed to encourage growth.
The success of the programme in Belfast has seen Mahapa take on further regions to help ensure all South Africans have access to valuable education and the skills needed to succeed.
Exxaro strives to conduct our business activities in ways that create success not only for Exxaro but for society too. There is no us and them, only together.