Thriving communities are
Thriving communities are built on a strong educational base Kumba Iron Ore has invested over R140-million to bolster education in its host communities over the last three years. Community Liaison Specialist Matilo Keaobaka handing out school bags to students. At the heart of our Sustainable Mining Plan is how we can improve people’s lives so it is central to how we live up to our purpose of reimagining mining to improve people’s lives. Our Sustainable Mining Plan is built around three Global Sustainability Pillars aligned to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. These pillars are • Healthy environment • Thriving communities • Trusted corporate leader Included in the thriving communities pillar are education, health and wellbeing and the improvement of livelihoods through employment. The group’s goals relating to education are that schools in host communities should perform within the top 30% of state schools nationally by 2025 and within the top 20% by 2030. Back to School As part of our ongoing efforts to support learners and bolster education in the Northern Cape, Kumba Iron Ore, through its Back to School campaign, has delivered over 1 000 school readiness packs across eight primary schools in the Tsantsabane Local Municipality. Including new schoolbags, crayons and other essentials, the readiness packs were handed over to Grade 1 learners at each school to support their academic journey. Supported by the Department of Basic Education, the campaign aligns with National Government’s cause to support both learners and educators at the beginning of each academic year. Community Liaison Specialist and Project Lead at Kumba Iron Ore Matilo Keaobaka shares details on the initiative: “Education plays an important role in the development of children because it helps them to hone critical thinking and social skills. NORTHERN CAPE BUSINESS 2025/26 20
FOCUS “Enabling an environment conducive for learning is key for this development to take root. Distributing the readiness pack across schools within our communities aligns with our Sustainable Mining Plan’s Thriving Communities Pillar, which focuses on education as one of its key enablers and envisions all children in our host communities accessing excellent education and training. Through this initiative we trust that we’ll help foster a love for school among the learners and contribute towards them being productive members of society.” As one of the beneficiaries of Kumba’s Back to School campaign, the Principal at Assmang Primary School, Gurshen Oliphant, expressed his appreciation regarding the initiative. “Whenever we think of Kumba Iron Ore’s contribution to our school, a deep sense of gratitude fills our hearts. We’re reminded of the profound impact this initiative will have on our learners. We are grateful for the support we’ve received.” Rewarding excellence With an impressive 87.3%, the class of 2024 has achieved the highest national matric pass rate in South African history. The milestone was accomplished by 615 429 learners who passed their National Senior Certificate, of which 47.8% of the candidates produced Bachelor passes. Recognising the feat achieved by the class of 2024, Kumba Iron Ore has contributed R1-million to the Top 20 learners who produced the best academic results in the Northern Cape. Each of the 20 students will receive R50 000 to use towards their tertiary studies. Providing detail on Kumba’s financial package to the learners, Northern Cape Hub Corporate Affairs Manager at Kumba Iron Ore, Adriana Slambert, outlines the importance of supporting education in the province: “The role that education plays regarding the development of young people is key to unlocking their potential. Seeing the Northern Cape matric pass rate climb from 75.8% in 2023 to 84.2% in 2024 is a testament to the dedication required to achieve academic excellence by both the learners and the Department of Basic Education. “As an organisation that values the importance of education, this contribution reflects Anglo American’s Sustainable Mining Plan, which focuses on education as one of its strategic pillars and a vehicle needed to build thriving communities. Through our various education initiatives in the form of incentives schemes, bursaries, Professional in Training programmes and infrastructure development, we will continue to personify our Purpose of reimagining mining to improve people’s lives.” In addition to the contribution made to the Northern Cape Top 20, through the Anglo American South Africa (AASA) Education Programme, Kumba Iron Ore has invested over R140-million to bolster education in its host communities over the last three years. Responding to Kumba Iron Ore’s contribution to local education, Northern Cape MEC for Education, Abraham Vosloo, shares the value of partnering with Kumba Iron Ore: “Kumba has a track record of being committed to changing the social conditions of our people; education is one but one sector that they focus on. We have the opportunity to engage with Kumba’s executive team throughout the year and align on priorities as we serve the same communities. We appreciate Kumba Iron Ore’s donation to the students and their commitment to education.” ■ (Left to right) Walter Khumo (KIO), Adriana Slambert (KIO), Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul, Dr Michelle Ismail (Acting Head of Education Department), Kealeboga Pilane (KIO) and Northern Cape MEC for Education Abraham Vosloo.
