Consistent funding provided by Anglo American's dedicated corporate social investment arm, the Chairman's Fund, towards The President's Award for Youth Empowerment, is providing valuable support in empowering young people between the ages of 14 and 25 to become responsible, active citizens in their communities. The Fund has been supporting the initiative for several years since 1996.

The President's Award prepares young people to meet the challenges of the various transitions to young adulthood through a co-ordinated series of activities and experiences. The programme engages the volunteer services of over 600 adult role-models, who offer positive inter-generational support and contact. Units are formed which provide the foundation on which young people can grow and meaningfully engage in their own personal development, within a conducive - healthy environment.

The Award Programme runs 280 active Award Units across all nine provinces, with 9 446 young people currently participating in the programme.

The Chairman's Fund recently provided a R250 000 grant towards the operational costs associated with the running of the Award Programme in Limpopo and Mpumalanga. The funding will be specifically used in the organisation's rural expansion plans and work with the under-resourced youth, and developing Award Units in both these provinces.

CEO of the President's Award Programme, Martin Scholtz notes that the Chairman's Fund support has made a real difference in helping the organisation fulfill its objectives.

"The Chairman's Fund's financial backing has proved crucial in ensuring that we are better equipped to achieve the President's Award goals of positively changing the lives of young people, and ensuring the quality delivery of the Award Programme to youth in South Africa.

"We are therefore deeply grateful to the Chairman's Fund for their on-going financial support, as it has enabled us to ensure that South Africa's youth are challenged to look beyond their barriers and to set goals and not limits."

In 1994, former president Nelson Mandela was named founding patron-in-chief and when President Jacob Zuma was appointed to the board as patron-in-chief in June 2011 he made a personal call for support to the Award Programme in his budget vote speech.

Chairman's Fund chairperson, Norman Mbazima, concludes that the effective results of The President's Award for Youth Empowerment Programme align with Anglo American's overall objectives.

"Anglo American maintains that the educational, social and emotional betterment of South Africa's young people is critical to the development of our country, and we are wholly committed to empowering local communities to inspire the youth to be engaged citizens.

"The Chairman's Fund is therefore proud to support the President's Award, as the work it is carrying out undoubtedly aligns well with these objectives. Ultimately, the organisation's pioneering model is ensuring that underprivileged youth are provided with the means and skills to build prosperous lives and contribute positively to the country's future."

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