Heeding government's call for corporate participation in socio-economic development, Kumba Iron Ore, a business unit of Anglo American, focuses its community development strategy on the importance of education and community upliftment. Today, in partnership with the Limpopo Departments of Education, Health and Social Development and Thabazimbi Local Municipality, Kumba launched the Thaba Tots Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre in Thabazimbi, Limpopo.

This partnership was formed with the understanding that meaningful interventions are required to maximise the development potential of young children. This is why access to ECD has become a national priority for government and needs to be increased.

A total investment of R4 million went into the construction of the centre and developing its programmes. The centre was officially handed over to the Limpopo Department of Health and Social Development today. It will be the first English medium ECD Centre in the greater Thabazimbi area. The centre will accommodate children from 3 - 5 years and will also have an after care facility.

MEC of Health and Social Development in the Limpopo Province, Me. Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba, remarked: As a department, we believe that the development of a child is not a sole responsibility of the educators, but a joint effort from stakeholders such as members of the Civil Society Organisations, Policy Makers, Government and Parents.

This development by Kumba Iron Ore forms part of a substantial contribution made by the company. In 2012 Kumba spent R275 million on community engagement and development initiatives. Part of this spend was the handing over of nine ECD centres in the Northern Cape in early 2013.

Dr. Sabelo Gumede, manager: safety and sustainable development at Kumba's Thabazimbi mine, explained Kumba's approach to community development in these words: "We believe that partnership is key to the success of any community development initiative and we are proud to deliver on this strategy with the handover of this important centre with our partners in government. We understand that real transformation begins with education, which is why we support such important educational programmes such as ECD.



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