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Anglo American today launched the second phase of its education programme in South Africa, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education, doubling the programme's scope and commitment to improving educational outcomes.
The education programme is integral to Anglo American's Sustainable Mining Plan which commits the company to a holistic range of ambitious goals that are shaping how our stakeholders experience our business. These include how we can best create Thriving Communities, by focusing on better health, education and employment opportunities for communities around our operations. Ensuring that all children in Anglo American’s host communities have access to excellent education and training is an essential gateway to tertiary education and will ultimately help increase the employability of young people throughout their working lives.
Speaking at the event, Nolitha Fakude has the following to say:
I was born into a family of teachers. My mother was a teacher by training, and so was my maternal grandmother. Growing up, I observed them and many others in my community, contributing toward building better futures for the young people around them.
This is when I realised the power of education in changing lives. Education has fundamentally changed my life, and I do not doubt that it has done the same for many of us sitting in the room today. Therefore, standing here today is particularly meaningful for me as we launch the second phase of this progressive and impactful education programme.
When I think about this programme, and its importance to Anglo American, I am reminded about the powerful “why” behind everything we do, and that is our Purpose: to re-imagine mining to improve people’s lives.
Our purpose drives our sustainability agenda – which we call our Sustainable Mining Plan – and within which, nurturing Thriving Communities that are sustainable beyond the life of our mines is a key focus.
It's why we work together to develop better jobs, better education, and better businesses in our host communities. It is why, ultimately, millions of South Africans are positively impacted by mining – because we believe that when South Africa does well, so do we.
This starts with understanding and responding to the needs and priorities of our communities. Clearly, improving the educational outcomes for our children – which is fundamental to addressing unemployment, inequality, and poverty - is an urgent priority.
Today, we are celebrating a national success that was born through a collaboration with Minister Motshekga and her team at the Department of Basic Education.
In 2017 Bhut’ Norman met with the Minister and her team to plant the seed that has now grown, and throughout the day, we will hear how the first phase of the programme has achieved impressive results. Since launching in 2018, the Anglo American in South Africa Education Programme has made good progress in improving the quality of education for over 220 000 learners in the provinces of Limpopo, Northern Cape, and North West.
(Image: Supplied)
Our journey ahead
Today, we are doubling our commitment by investing a further R 510 million in support of 84 additional schools and 80 early childhood development centres in our host communities over the next five years; R110 million of this will be invested in infrastructure to enhance access to quality school infrastructure for learners and teachers.
I am delighted to say that by 2027, Anglo American will have invested more than R1 billion in improving educational outcomes in South Africa, with the ultimate target for schools in host communities to perform within the top 20% of state schools nationally by 2030 – in line with our Sustainable Mining Plan ambitions.
Without the commitment from the Department of Basic Education, our unions and importantly, teachers and principals who manage the schools in our communities, this kind of enduring and long-term partnership would not be possible.
It is also clear that the learners could not have improved their results without the support of their parents, families, and the broader community. From the start, our approach through this programme sought to deliver a holistic approach to education.
We believe that education cannot be limited to the classroom only. Education is the sum total of a young person’s experience and extends beyond the school gate. This is why phase 2 of our education programme will also see a dedicated focus on after-school programmes.
Our nation recently endured a heartbreaking tragedy – the Enyobeni Tragedy in the Eastern Cape. The incident has robbed us of our future leaders.
Iintliziyo zethu zophukile. Each of those young people had dreams, and a future ahead of them. Minister and colleagues, I’m sure all of you remember the notion of “Each one teach one” – a slogan that was popular in the aftermath of the 1976 uprising.
While the times are undoubtedly different, I cannot think of a timelier clarion call for all of us – parents, teachers, learners, principals, and leaders – to take collective responsibility for our future. This future is impossible without our young people.
As a company that has always been actively engaged in building South Africa, we are again, raising our hand and pledging support for the development of our children. We would like to adopt a slogan that says: “No child should be left behind.”
I cannot thank the Department of Education enough for the commitment shown towards this programme and for the collaboration and willingness to let us assist in delivering these successful outcomes.
This post and content is sponsored, written and provided by Anglo American.
