Future sport stars around Sasolburg in the Free State can look forward to having suitable sports facilities on their doorstep. As part of Anglo American’s Social and Labour Plans, its New Vaal colliery has partnered with the Metsimaholo Local Municipality to build the Harry Gwala Multipurpose Sports Centre at a cost of R26 million. The Metsimaholo Local Municipality donated the land.

The centre offers a multipurpose hall for training sessions, workshops and basketball tournaments, two tennis courts, two netball courts, a talent development centre, ample change rooms, and kiosks for selling and serving refreshments. During the last phase, soccer fields will be added and completed in February 2014.

Government services such as a South African Police Services contact centre, satellite fire station, South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), as well as a municipality pay-point centre and pre-paid electricity purchase point will also occupy the centre to bring these services closer to the community.

Opening the centre earlier today, Minister of Mineral Resources, Susan Shabangu commented on the importance of projects like the Harry Gwala multi-purpose centre.

“Through the Social and Labour Plan’s that are agreed with mining companies we seek to create lasting and sustainable change in the communities affected by mining operations by ploughing back some of their profits. This project is a demonstration of what a focused mining company can achieve."

Godfrey Gomwe, CEO of Anglo American’s Thermal Coal business: “As a company we believe that we should leave a lasting legacy in the communities where we operate. Being involved in this sports centre is part of our commitment to develop the community, and to stimulate positive social changes and socio-economic benefits such as a safe environment for recreational and professional sporting purposes,”

New Vaal and the municipality are also considering opportunities to partner with other organisations in the area such as Sasol, to ensure that programmes at the centre are integrated into the area’s flagship sports development programme, the Metsimaholo Rejuvenation Programme.

Fast facts about the centre:

• Location:  Harry Gwala Township (Metsimaholo Local Municipality, Ward 21).
• Cost: R26 Million.
• Construction period: February 2012 –  August 2013.
• The project is a New Vaal colliery Local Economic Development project as part of its Social and Labour Plan.
• Enterprise Development: The contractor, Mofomo Construction, is a 100% Black Empowered Company (CIDB level 7) from the Free State.
• Local  Employment: Local labour on site  at peak production  was 107, of which 81 were males and 26 females
• New Vaal colliery carried the costs for building the sporting facilities, furnishing, IT network connection and security, as well as facilitating occupation by various stakeholders and service providers.
• Metsimaholo Local Municipality provided the land.
• A project steering committee that included a New Vaal representative, community members and municipal representatives, has being overseeing the project.

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