“We are excited to be making a real difference, today, so that South Africa’s future is brighter and more prosperous.”

By-line: Norman Mbazima, Deputy Chairman of Anglo American South Africa

Observing Youth Month not only allows us time to reflect on the past but also, importantly, allows us to focus on our next generation of employees, employers, entrepreneurs, community leaders, husbands, wives, fathers and mothers - who form the backbone of our society.

Education plays a very important role in shaping our youth, and that is why for decades Anglo American has invested in education and skills development in South Africa.

In April this year, we demonstrated our continual commitment to providing quality education to the communities in which we operate by proudly launching the Anglo American South Africa (AASA) Education Programme, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education (DBE).

All of our South African Business Units (Coal SA, Kumba Iron Ore, Platinum and De Beers) are involved in this programme. We will focus on 100 early childhood development (ECD) sites local to our operations, as well as a “Whole School” systemic approach for 100 primary and secondary schools in these areas. This will positively impact approximately 2 000 educators and 60 000 learners.

I’m very happy with the progress our combined team of AASA, the Business Units and the 8 in-scope operations (Mogalakwena, Amandelbult, Venetia, Sishen, Kolomela, Greenside, Khwezela, and Zibulo) have made in championing this Programme thus far. In less than 10 weeks since launch, we have:

• Engaged with a host of stakeholders in the three provinces, including the DBE, Community Task Teams, Traditional Authorities, Teachers Unions, the Department of Social Development, local municipalities, and the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR). We will continue to engage with stakeholders whose support and involvement are key to the Programme’s success.
• Together with the local DBE, identified and invited 88 schools to participate in the Programme. The remaining 12 schools will be invited in July after the school holidays.
• With the support of the DBE and JET Education Services, facilitated five Group meetings with 75 of the schools, where an overview of the Programme was provided to the school principals and representatives of the School Governing Bodies.
• With the support of Kagiso Shanduka Trust, held meetings at 16 of the selected schools where the next steps were described in detail to all the school staff and a Collaboration Pledge was signed. The remaining meetings will be set up after the school holidays.

As you can see from all the groundwork done so far, we’re committed to engaging with all relevant stakeholders and each of the schools to ensure we’re listening to their individual needs and working closely with them to deliver an impactful programme.

Once all meetings have been held with selected schools, a two-day needs analysis and report will be drafted and a weekend Empowerment & Transformation Retreat held for each school. Here, there will be detailed discussions and planning facilitated by leadership experts.

The implementation of the AASA Education Programme is spread over five years. However, we are certainly making good strides in meeting our interim milestones, thanks to the passion and dedication of our team driving this programme and to all the AASA employees supporting us.

Our Education Programme aligns with Anglo American’s purpose, which is to re-imagine mining to improve people’s lives. Through it, we are excited to be making a real difference, today, so that South Africa’s future is brighter and more prosperous.

In the words of Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” So, let’s change the world – one school at a time, one learner at a time.