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Limpopo Business 2020/21 edition

  • Text
  • Manufacturing
  • Transportation
  • Logistics
  • Sez
  • Agriculture
  • Tourism
  • Africa
  • Africa
  • Province
  • Venetia
  • Province
  • Platinum
  • Provincial
  • Sector
  • Polokwane
  • African
  • Mining
  • Economic
  • Limpopo
The 2020/21 edition of Limpopo Business is the 12th issue of this essential publication that, since its launch in 2007, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Limpopo Province. Limpopo has been attracting significant investments in the mining sector in recent years and the green light for the creation of the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone in the province’s far north has attracted several billion dollars. A metallurgical and energy cluster will inaugurate the SEZ, after which investments in agri-processing, logistics and manufacturing are expected to follow. In addition to the regular articles providing insight into each of the key economic sectors of the province, there are special features on transport and logistics, and specific plans that are in place to promote manufacturing in Limpopo. News related to mining, agriculture, tourism, construction and property, water, education and development finance is carried in overviews of the main economic sectors.

INTERVIEW • Employees

INTERVIEW • Employees that could work from home were allowed to and our processes were aligned. • Additional controls and measures were introduced on the mine including social distancing measures on busses, thermal scanning and continuous sanitising of the workplace. • A phased and controlled recall process was introduced to bring back employees over a period At Venetia Mine, we have put extensive safety, health and hygiene measures in place to combat the spread of the virus in the workplace and our communities. These measures are not limited to and include: • A comprehensive risk assessment to identify areas of potential exposure, including implementing the required policies, procedures and controls. Venetia Mine General Manager Gerrie Nortje with De Beers Group Managed Operations Managing Director Mpumi Zikalala and Limpopo Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba at the Venetia Mine Testing Laboratory. of four to six months. • A new process was introduced with a telephonic Covid-19 screening assessment before employees were recalled. • Shift arrangements and working schedules were adjusted to ensure we maintain social distancing requirements. All these measures allowed us to recall more than 70% of our workforce. We are continuing to ramp up and have adjusted our measures. What are some of the specific steps to ensure the safety of staff? Our employees are at the heart of our business and we have taken decisive, wide-ranging measures that are stringently applied to protect both the health and well-being of them and their families. • All our employees undergo a mandatory Covid-19 medical screening and induction session prior to returning to work. • Our Occupational Medical Practitioners assess and approve all employees returning to work. • All our employees have been issued with personal thermometers for them to monitor their own body temperatures as part of a daily selfassessment process. • The installation of Thermal Scanners at the entrance of the mine and on our buses to ensure that 100% of the employees’ body temperatures are assessed. • We are continuously educating, training and ensuring compliance to social distancing on site and on our vehicles. • Continuous sanitisation of biometric readers, LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2020/21 46

handrails, workplaces and transport vehicles, including the installation of UV lights to disinfect areas within the mine. • All our employees have been provided with appropriate PPE and cloth masks. • Regular Visible Felt Leadership to focus on Covid-19 in addition to Safety, Health and Environmental performance. • A 24-hour call centre (on a toll-free number) for employees to call if they are displaying any Covid-19 symptoms or require any other relevant information. • Introduction of the WeCare programme for employees, their direct dependants and a community support programme through the Limpopo Department of Health. • Established and manage quarantine and isolation facilities in the town of Musina. Have you been able to get enough masks and other protective gear? Key to the CRP is supporting our host communities and suppliers. We are very proud that through our enterprise and supplier development programmes, we have been able to support a number of businesses. All our masks are manufactured locally by Dithebele Clothing, a company based in Bochum, a community in the Blouberg Municipality. The company is one of many that has enjoyed good local sales and is successfully acquiring clients since it started participating in our Enterprise and Supplier Development programmes. In addition, we have identified and approached a few other local suppliers manufacturing goodquality masks to supply to some of the schools we are supporting through our CRP. Since the start of the pandemic we have been engaging with the local hospitals and the Department of Health on a regular basis to understand their challenges during this difficult period and to understand how best we can support them and thank them for the work they are doing for all of us. We have donated medical supplies and equipment to hospitals and clinics in collaboration with the Department of Health. In addition, the Limpopo MEC of Health, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, recently unveiled the Venetia Mine PCR Covid-19 Testing Laboratory in Musina. This laboratory will be utilised to test the mine’s employees, contractors and all the associated contacts. We are also in discussions with the Department of Health to make the laboratory available for the testing of community members through the local hospitals. The laboratory will play a vital role in the diagnostic testing process of Covid-19 and is expected to analyse at least 80 tests per day with a 24-hour turnout time for results. In addition to this, we have established quarantine and isolation facilities for positive cases and contacts and are providing them with continuous healthcare support. Is the mine providing support in terms of clinics and local hospitals? Venetia Mine recognises the significant role of the hospitals and clinics in our communities. Villagers in Simpson Village, Blouberg, with a water tank provided by the De Beers water project. 47 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2020/21

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