Empowered and diversified mining and energy company Exxaro Resources recently launched an employee and community Covid-19 vaccination drive at its Grootegeluk mine, in Limpopo, successfully vaccinating 650 employees and their next of kin.

Exxaro partnered with the Limpopo Department of Health to make the Covid-19 vaccine free and easily accessible to its staff and their families as part of their drive to reach those 18 years and older, the company says.

Limpopo Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba, who attended the launch, encouraged South Africans to get vaccinated.

“These partnerships are vital if we are to deliver on the greater good for our communities and keep them safe. We want to encourage anyone who is over 18 years old to visit any of our vaccine sites to be vaccinated. It is important to be vaccinated to avoid getting seriously ill or dying from Covid-19.”

Exxaro Grootegeluk coal mine GM Ronaldt Mafoko said businesses had a major role to play in speeding up vaccination uptake and taking the country to a new normal.

Exxaro health and safety GM Dr Joseph Matjila added that the company remained committed to supporting government and society in the provision of access to healthcare services – as a basic human right guaranteed by the South African Constitution.

“Exxaro believes in zero harm as a value system, which reiterates our commitment to playing our part during this pandemic.

“In support of government’s vaccine drive, we have now vaccinated more than 3 000 of our employees and contractors. While we are immensely proud of our achievement, we know much work lies ahead and we will continue to do all we can to promote health and safety across all our host communities and beyond,” he said.

As part of Exxaro’s commitment to fighting Covid-19, the occupational health centres at its Grootegeluk and Matla complexes have been accredited as vaccination sites and have established partnerships with the provincial health administrations in Limpopo and Mpumalanga to assist in accelerating vaccination uptake.

The Limpopo Department of Health has also committed to deliver vaccinations at the Medical Station in Marapong, Lephalale, every Thursday.