Views
2 years ago

Limpopo Business 2021-22

  • Text
  • Education
  • Water
  • Tourism
  • Agriculture
  • Business
  • Investment
  • Development
  • Industrial
  • Wwwglobalafricanetworkcom
  • Programme
  • Projects
  • Infrastructure
  • Province
  • Mining
  • Roads
  • Economic
  • Sector
  • Provincial
  • Limpopo
The 2021/22 edition of Limpopo Business is the 13th issue of this highly successful 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 with commodity prices of certain minerals rising in response to demand in the renewable energy and automotive sector, mining houses are well-positioned to expand production even further. This journal carries messages of welcome to investors from the province’s Premier and the MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism. In addition to the regular articles providing insight into each of the key economic sectors of the province, there is special feature on plans to catalyse investment and growth in the province through measures such as industrial parks and the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone in the province’s far north, which is attracting billions of dollars in investment. News related to mining, agriculture, tourism, construction and property, water, education and development finance is carried in overviews of the main economic sectors.

FOCUS De Beers and BMH

FOCUS De Beers and BMH Africa launch “Changing Lives” skills programme Construction skills are the focus of a two-year initiative. De Beers Group Managed Operations Managing Director, Mpumi Zikalala, and Acting Mayor of Musina Local Municipality, Councillor Jeremiah Khunwana, turning the first sod on the Stand 4 construction site. The Stand 4 development is one of the Stay in Business accommodation construction projects taking shape in Musina. De Beers Venetia Mine, in partnership with contracting partner BMH Africa, has launched a skills development programme which aims to develop skills in the construction industry and ultimately enhance the local skills base. The programme, which is part of the De Beers Group’s Socio-Economic Development strategy in Venetia Mine’s host communities of Musina and Blouberg, aims to support skills development and job creation for 150 construction workers who will be employed on the mine’s accommodation projects. The programme, which will be implemented over a period of 24 months, is targeted at three skills levels: • Level 1 is a semi-skilled short course programme. It aims to increase the resource pool of semi-skilled construction workers by formalising their skills through the attendance of short skills courses and a formal skills assessment. • Level 2 is a semi-skilled accredited programme. It aims to assist construction workers with some form of previous training to complete the artisan trade test and qualify as an artisan in terms of South African legislation. • Level 3 is a practical training programme. It provides an opportunity for existing TVET students to complete a portion of their practical training through employment at one of Venetia Mine’s accommodation projects. Some of these students may qualify to complete the artisan trade test and qualify as an artisan. Mpumi Zikalala, Managing Director of De Beers Group Managed Operations, says, “This project highlights our commitment to development of our host community, with a particular focus on the youth. What we recognise is the importance of working with our contractor partners to ensure that the projects we implement have scale and touches the lives of many of our host communities as possible. “We are proud to have partners such as BMH Africa, who share our values and are committed to walking with us in shaping a better future LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2021/22 22

FOCUS for our host communities. This approach is very much in line with our Building Forever Framework, which is our commitment to create a positive legacy that will endure well beyond the recovery of our last diamond.” The skills development programme will also identify and train personnel in various construction skills. This will include a literacy assessment to determine the ability of prospective learners, occupational health and safety training where learners will obtain a firm understanding on how to achieve a Zero Harm mindset through safe working procedures and the transfer and formalisation of construction skills. Fostering independence Councillor Jeremiah Khunwana, Acting Mayor of Musina Local Municipality, says, “The good news for our people is that the construction of the accommodation project will also provide job opportunities and the development of skills of local people. This will help our people, especially the youth, to become independent and be able to stand on their own after the project is completed. “We thank De Beers Venetia Mine for their contributions in developing our municipality through their social and labour plan. Musina is now a fully-fledged town because of the company’s kind assistance.” Through this project, construction workers, who are mostly young people, will be equipped with skills and a verifiable record of training and employment. This will allow them to apply for future job opportunities on other projects at Venetia Mine or in other sectors. Christoff Pretorius, Project Manager of BMH Africa, comments, “It is not often that a construction company gets to be involved in such an extensive skills development programme that will change lives forever. It is a privilege for us to be involved in this programme with De Beers Group and our various service providers”. Through its Socio-Economic Development strategy, Venetia Mine is also implementing a number of key projects in the Blouberg area, where commercial farming plays a critical role in providing employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for many local farmers. The mine is investing R6.5-million in agricultural projects, namely Eldorado Crop Farm, Gemarke Chilli Farm and Driekoppies Peanut Butter Factory. Other Social and Labour Plan (SLP) projects amounting to a spend of R15.5-million are being implemented in the host communities of Blouberg and Musina include, among others, the Education Schools Programme targeting 25 schools in Musina and Blouberg, Alldays Road Paving, Construction of the Taaiboschgroet Community Hall, Development of the Alldays Sports Complex and the Alldays Pump Station. De Beers Group is committed to supporting the economic development of its host communities. The SLP is an important element of this and the company believes that partnerships with municipalities are key to delivering meaningful and sustainable benefits in education, infrastructure, as well as economic opportunities through farming. ■ 23 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2021/22

Other recent publications by Global Africa Network: