For the best level of education, students need the right environment and adequate resources to learn effectively. That’s why Anglo American Inyosi Coal (AAIC) has made an investment of $1.75 million at a school local to the Kriel mine in the Mpumalanga province, South Africa, while at the same time partnering with local government.
Every child deserves a good education. For us at Anglo American, that right is critical and something we want to protect.
At Sibongamandla Secondary School in Mpumalanga province, South Africa, the only high school situated in the rapidly growing Thubelihle township, students were taught in overcrowded classrooms built from asbestos, well-known for its serious health impacts.
And more than this, there was a critical lack of learning facilities.
While the Department of Education committed to rebuilding the classrooms, they needed extra funding to provide additional and essential learning facilities.
A focus on education
That’s where Anglo American Inyosi Coal’s (AAIC) Kriel colliery stepped in to help fund the upgrade work, which included the construction of a library, computer centre, home economics and science laboratories, an administration block, fencing, washing facilities and kitchens.
Improvements made to the school as part of this Social and Labour Plan (SLP) project, completed in partnership with the Mpumalanga Department of Education, were unveiled to the government earlier this month.
Construction work on the project had commenced last July and school principal, Bhekithemba Ndlala revealed the knock-on effect this process had for the local community.