African Rainbow Minerals (ARM), today handed over a church to The First Lady Mrs Sizakele MaKhumalo Zuma, wife of President Jacob Zuma, on behalf of the Church Leadership of the Salvation Army, represented by the Territorial Commander, Mr W. Langa.

The First Lady Mrs MaKhumalo Zuma approached ARM through the Jacob Zuma Foundation to build the church in iNkandla where to date no such facility existed.

ARM is committed to the creation of jobs, eradication of poverty and the provision of education, skills, business and other opportunities to all South Africans and in particular women, the youth and disabled persons.

"There are many different community upliftment projects that we have initiated throughout South Africa over many years but building a church is always very special. Churches have made huge contributions not only to the religious and spiritual growth of our people, but also in education, the provision of skills, the building of clinics and other community upliftment initiatives that have improved the living conditions of all our people", said Patrice Motsepe, Executive Chairman of ARM.

Dudu Myeni, Chairman of the Jacob Zuma Foundation said, "ARM has demonstrated its commitment to respond to the needs of the people in our country. The Jacob Zuma Foundation has established long term partnerships that support the ideals of the Patron which is to initiate socio-economic upliftment projects which will alleviate and eradicate poverty in the rural areas. For our country's economic growth, stable political environment, harmony to do business, and improved livelihoods, somehow we need to join hands and work together. It is our responsibility, all of us to look around and bring hope and lift those who feel hopeless".

She went on to say, "our Patron believes that the money must go to where it is needed the most and should benefit the poorest of the poor."

The Patron of the Jacob Zuma Foundation, His Excellency President Jacob Zuma said, "ARM's commitment to helping those in need is encouraging and should be emulated by many other South African corporations. This Church will not only serve as a place of worship but will also serve as an important assembly point for all the members of the various communities to discuss and identify projects and initiatives to improve their villages and living conditions".