The Social & Local Municipal- Labour Plan for Jindal Mining SA which in brief ensures the provision of developmental opportunities to mine workers and communities through mineral resource extraction has helped to see the construction of one of the key infrastructure developmental initiatives in Ward 18 of the Mkhondo Local Municipality, the Ematafuleni Early Childhood Development Centre (ECD).
The Social & Local Municipal- Labour Plan for Jindal Mining SA which in brief ensures the provision of developmental opportunities to mine workers and communities through mineral resource extraction has helped to see the construction of one of the key infrastructure developmental initiatives in Ward 18 of the Mkhondo Local Municipality, the Ematafuleni Early Childhood Development Centre (ECD).
The Kiepersol Colliery has ten (10) communities within its boundary and has numerous implemented as well as planned projects in those communities. The Ematafuleni CPA is situated approximately 8krn from the Kiepersol Colliery (Jindal Mine). This specific project involved the upgrading of an existing 2×4 m2 ECD Centre made from corrugated iron servicing children from Matafuleni, Sangweni and KwaNgema communities.
The construction of the ECD Centre at Matafuleni community is now I 00% completed. The inauguration of the ECD and handing over of the facility to the community and the Department of Social Development took place on the 7th of September 2017.
The event was very well attended by senior delegates from the Mkhondo ity; representatives of the Madabukela Traditional Council; delegated officials from the Department of Social Development; the Matafuleni Community and the Jindal Mining SA team led by their Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Jona Pillay. The DSD will from here-on subsidize the facility and apply for funding to make the facility operational. The new structure will accommodate more than thirty-two (32) children from the surrounding community.
The project is perceived as one of the key infrastructure development projects as it specifically focuses on support of education. Despite improvements in access to education, the education levels remain low in the municipality, especially in rural areas, the communities closest to the mine. There are two primary schools and one high school in the vicinity; however, the area has lacked a proper ECD facility that caters exclusive for educational needs for the community children.
The parents, the impacted communities, the non-governmental organisations and government departments have a role to play to ensure an integrated service to children in this vicinity.