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Northern Cape Business 2021-22

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The 2021/22 edition of Northern Cape Business is the 11th issue of this highly successful publication that has, since its launch in 2009, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Northern Cape Province. Officially supported and used by the Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Northern Cape Business is unique as a business and investment guide that focuses exclusively on the province. In addition to comprehensive overviews of sectors of the economy, this publication outlines in detail specific investment opportunities that the provincial government has packaged in a variety of sectors. Chief among these are the Special Economic Zones and industrial parks that are designed to act as catalysts for economic growth. Mining and agriculture are the core economic sectors at the heart of many of the offerings, with downstream and related sectors such as manufacturing and logistics offering many opportunities for the investor community.

FOCUS Investing in

FOCUS Investing in education and skills Anglo American Kumba Iron Ore has launched education programme in partnership with the Northern Cape Department of Education to improve learners’ educational outcomes. Anglo American Kumba Iron Ore has launched a major education programme, in partnership with the Northern Cape Provincial Department of Education (DoE), to improve learner outcomes in 27 early childhood development (ECD) sites and 26 schools local to its mining operations, namely Kolomela in Postmasburg and Sishen supporting schools in the villages of Cassel and Dithakong. The programme was launched in Kathu by the MEC of Education Mr Zolani Monakali and Anglo American Kumba Iron Ore’s Executive for Corporate Affairs, Dr Pranill Ramchander. To this end, an MoU was signed by both parties outlining the areas of collaboration. Anglo American has made a substantial investment in education and skills development in South Africa over many years and, in the last seven years alone, has invested more than R780-million, largely on infrastructure and Grade 12 learner support. The programme is a core part of Anglo American’s Sustainability Strategy. One of the pillars of the strategy is to create thriving communities close to its operations, with education as a key building block. “By building on the decades of investment we’ve made in education, we will refocus our resources to provide wide-ranging and quality education, from childhood learning to matric, for the learners in the communities where we operate in South Africa so that they can build a better tomorrow,” said Dr Ramchander. MEC Monakali said, “This occasion is very symbolic, it happens within a district named after a very industrious organiser, JTG. This engagement is in line with one of the issues that John Taolo Gaetsewe held very dear to his heart, education. The education of our children is extremely important for the development and the sustainability of our society. Now more than ever, we need civil society and business to work with us as government to ensure we continue to build a quality education system. Our collaboration with Anglo American Kumba Iron Ore is an example of what is possible when government partners with business to contribute to accelerating progress in education.” Dr Ramchander added, “At Anglo American, we MEC of Education Zolani Monakali and Anglo American Kumba Iron Ore’s Executive for Corporate Affairs, Dr Pranill Ramchander, sign the Memorandum of Understanding between the Provincial Government of the Northern Cape and the mining company. NORTHERN CAPE BUSINESS 2021/22 32

FOCUS The programme will support school management teams, governing bodies, principals, staff as well as parents towards achieving these learner-focussed targets. There will be a strong focus on helping teachers develop their content knowledge and teaching skills. know that the greatest investment we can make in our country’s future is to give our children access to high-quality education. Education can play a significant role in improving people’s lives by tackling the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment that South Africa faces. We’re excited about the potential of this programme to improve the lives of those living around our operations in South Africa.” The programme has been developed in partnership with the Department of Education and complements its 2019 Action Plan, Towards the Realisation of Schooling 2030, which details strategies that aim to improve the performance of South Africa’s schooling system. What the programme seeks to achieve The Anglo American South Africa Education Programme aims to improve reading, writing, numeracy levels and quality passes through addressing some of the underlying reasons for poor education outcomes by supporting school management teams, governing bodies, principals and teaching staff. The programme has set ambitious learnerfocussed targets, aiming to see: • 90% of learners aged five meeting the minimum requirements for school readiness • 90% of Grade 3 learners passing with at least 50% in Numeracy and Literacy • 75% of Grade 6 learners passing with at least 50% in Mathematics and English First Additional Language • 90% matriculation pass rate, with a 50% university entrance • 65% of Grade 12 learners passing with at least 50% in Mathematics. The tangible difference Learners will benefit from a range of interventions which are geared to improve their educational outcomes. Systems and processes will be developed, refined and implemented. Where required, teacher training and extensive coaching will be provided so that the teachers are motivated, competent and effective which will lead to teaching and learning time being optimised. Finally, at secondary level, some Saturday school and school camps for Grade 12 learners will be provided. MEC Monakali expressed the department’s appreciation of the partnership between the Department and Anglo American Kumba Iron Ore. “We are looking forward to enjoying the benefits that this partnership and this initiative will yield,” he added. “We also place at the disposal of this partnership our resources that will make sure that we spare no effort in making this MoU a success.” “Through this programme, we want to lend a hand to building thriving communities with schools that have highly motivated learners and teachers, involved parents and effective school management teams. These are some of the essential pillars to achieving quality education that can guarantee a better tomorrow for the next generation,’’ concluded Dr Ramchander. ■ 33 NORTHERN CAPE BUSINESS 2021/22

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