Financial support from Anglo American’s dedicated Corporate Social Investment CSI) arm, the Chairman’s Fund, towards the Durban Children’s Home, is set to create  a real difference in the lives of children in need in South Africa.

The Chairman’s Fund has provided a R410,000 grant over the last two years to help the Durban Children’s Home develop a written policy and procedure manual  relating to the operational, human resources and child care practice requirements of the new Children’s Act; which came into effect on 1 April 2010.

Subsequently, the donation has not only enabled the Durban Children’s Home to become the first home in South Africa to have the provisions of this Act in place, but has allowed the organisation to create a better consensus on the effective running of child and youth care centres, by sharing  the manual with others in the sector.

The amended Children’s Act creates the opportunity for organisations to identify areas that require transformation in order to comply with the required provisions, norms and standards of the Act. Durban Children’s Home Director, Mandy Goble notes that the Chairman’s Fund’s support has allowed the organisation to function better and create a widespread impact.

"The funding that Anglo American has provided has proved crucial to the functioning and efficiency of the Durban Children’s Home. Subsequently, we will be able to run the organisation in a much fairer manner, as our people have the requisite knowledge and guidelines.

"Beyond this, the funding will create a legacy for underprivileged children throughout South Africa, as every child and youth care centre in the country could benefit from having access to these policies and procedures, and a uniform set of rules."

The Durban Children’s Home was established over a hundred years ago, and has been instrumental in providing care to orphans, destitute children and children in need. It offers a range of relevant and innovative programmes that strive to meet the needs of children in a developmental and holistic manner.

The Chairman’s Fund has previously donated R425 000 towards the Home, from 2004 to 2009.

Chairman’s Fund Chairperson Norman Mbazima concludes that Anglo American’s support of the Durban Children’s Home is motivated by desire to make a real difference in South African communities.

"Anglo American is committed to supporting initiatives that create better futures for communities, and an essential aspect of this strategy is strengthening the capabilities surrounding welfare systems.  We are, therefore, delighted to be able to assist the Durban Children’s Home in adhering to the standards of the revised Children’s Act."

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For further information, please contact:

South Africa
Hulisani Rasivhaga, Media Relations
Tel: +27 (0)11 638 4401

Notes to editors:

Anglo American is one of the world’s largest mining companies, is headquartered in the UK and listed on the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges. Anglo American’s portfolio of mining businesses spans bulk commodities – iron ore and manganese, metallurgical coal and thermal coal; base metals – copper and nickel; and precious metals and minerals – in which it is a global leader in both platinum and diamonds. Anglo American is committed to the highest standards of safety and responsibility across all its businesses and geographies and to making a sustainable difference in the development of the communities around its operations. The company’s mining operations, extensive pipeline of growth projects and exploration activities span southern Africa, South America, Australia, North America, Asia and Europe. www.angloamerican.com

About Chairman’s Fund

The Anglo American Chairman’s Fund is one of the dedicated instruments through which Anglo American channels its corporate social investment (CSI) spend, and is the oldest professionally managed CSI programme in South Africa. The Fund is renowned for  best practice within the CSI arena, and  supports a highly diverse range of projects from the smallest to the largest among different social development sectors countrywide.