Kangra hands over hall to Kransbank community to allow for more formalised communal gathering location
Coal mining and exploration company Kangra handed over a R300 000 community hall to Kransbank community located near the company’s mine in Saul Mkhizeville, in Mpumalanga on 21 January 2020.
The community centre comprising of a hall, ablution facilities and storage rooms is intended to be used for formal communal meetings, festive occasions and social events, among other community activities. The hall can comfortably seat around 150 people.
The hall was built by a local black-owned contracting company Amakhabolanga Trading and Projects with the design and construction of the facility overseen by Kangra. The community had till now been running its meetings and social gathering in open areas and under trees, which has exposed them to the heat, cold, wind and rain.
“The community asked Kangra to assist them in being able to conduct their forums in dignity, which is where the idea for the construction of the hall arose,” explained Menar Group Social Licensing Manager Xolile Mankayi.
Mkondo Ward 2 Councillor Themba Nkosi on behalf Councillor Xolane Simelane of Ward 10 said: “On behalf of the municipality and local government we deeply appreciate the efforts of the community to enrich and uplift the lives of community members by presenting them with this beautiful new community hall.”
Kangra General Manager Pierre Louw and Kransbank Community member Bab’ uPhungwayo cut a ribbon to mark the official opening of the community hall. The community members expressed their gratitude ululating as the ribbon was cut.
Kangra has also invested heavily in other social development projects such as construction of 23 houses, building of ablution facilities, awarding of mine-related product and services’ contracts to the local community along with enterprise development, learner safety initiatives and skills training programmes.