Archive - 2012

Anglo American’s dedicated Corporate Social Investment (CSI) arm, the Chairman’s Fund, will provide financial assistance to South Africa’s Top Ten Grade 12 learners of 2011. The learners will receive a laptop package, including a printer, as well as cash to assist them with other expenses that may occur during their first year of tertiary education.

This initiative is in partnership with the Department of Basic Education’s (DBE) recognition of South Africa’s top ten learners. The learners were hosted at the National Library Auditorium in Pretoria, during the Matric Results Announcement, on 4 January 2012, in recognition of their achievements.

The event was attended by a host of dignitaries from government, including Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Enver Surty, and Director-General of Basic Education, Bobby Soobrayan, and the stars of the night - the students.

These top achievers, who excelled in the 2011 Matric exams, constitute the top two achievers for every 20% of the South African population. This criteria enabled learners from all economic levels to be acknowledged and celebrated, with the DBE having categorised all public schools into five quintiles. The categories of these quintiles were defined by the prevailing economic conditions of schools.

Chairman’s Fund Chairperson, Norman Mbazima, says that the Fund’s support of the top ten learners coincides with its commitment to educational development and partnership.

“Anglo American’s commitment to education is well recorded, as well as our desire to partner for best effect with high impact educational initiatives, with the recognition that quality education begins before a student enters the portals of higher education.

“Thus, partnering with the Department of Basic Education on this initiative complements these objectives, and will make a real difference by assisting and encouraging these learners to continue their excellence in their tertiary studies, and further their contribution as constructive citizens.”

While the Chairman’s Fund has awarded the top ten maths and science schools for about ten years, it is the first time that Anglo American has granted this kind of assistance to South Africa’s top ten learners.

Louis Taylor of the DBE concludes that the Fund’s support of the initiative will ultimately foster a culture of educational excellence in South Africa.

“The Department of Basic Education is extremely grateful for the recognition and generosity displayed by the Chairman’s Fund in rewarding the excellence of the top ten performing Grade 12 learners, many of whom have achieved success despite difficult conditions and circumstances.

“Undoubtedly, this support will ultimately advance long term educational development and encourage a culture of excellence among future learners in South Africa. This will also help set and raise the educational bar, standards and expectations.”

For further information, please contact:

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

Notes to editors:

Anglo American plc 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 and extensive pipeline of growth projects are located in southern Africa, South America, Australia, North America and Asia. www.angloamerican.com