Kumba Iron Ore’s Kolomela mine is proud to sponsor the construction of a new community library in Newtown. The project, which is supported by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, is aligned with Kolomela mine’s Sustainable Mine plan, which elevates education as a core focus area. The design and operational model of the library was guided by inputs from the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.

Guided by the company’s purpose of reimagining mining to improve people’s lives, Kolomela commissioned a social impact assessment in 2019 which demonstrated that only 49% of residents of White City, and adjacent communities to the area completed matric. The fact that the community had no library, meant that community members had to travel to the Boichoko or Postmasburg town for library services. That is the reason, Kolomela mine, through consultation with the Tsantsabane municipality, adopted the library concept into its Social and Labour plan.

Nestled in the heart of Newtown, between a school and various early learning centres, the new library investment project is touted to improve literacy levels amongst community children. Kumba’s chief executive, Mpumi Zikalala and the Executive Mayor of the Tsantsabane municipal area, officiated the sod turning of what promises to be an iconic building. Referring to the Northern Cape as home in her speech, CEO Zikalala said that Kumba values private-public partnerships to unlock shared value for both the organisation and communities. “We believe through the work that we do, we can only say we are successful as a business if we can actually say that we are reimagining mining to improve lives. We believe the library will contribute towards improving literacy and digital literacy of young people in the community” the CEO said.

Inclusive procurement benefits locals

Kumba remains committed through its supplier and enterprise development, as well as inclusive procurement initiatives, to build local prosperity. In line with this approach, the 21-million-rand construction project that has been assigned to a localised contractor, Visual Projects and Construction, promises to have many economic spinoffs. The construction company, owned by local pastor, Leonard Oss, has already invited local service providers to indicate interest in the rendering of tiling, paving paint and plastering services. “I’m excited and privileged to be part of this project. I’m hailing from Newtown and am back now to deliver this project in cooperation with Kolomela,” Leonard Oss, said. At least twenty direct employment opportunities will be created for locals residing in the ward and further opportunities through the services of other local suppliers.