PMG MINING DISTRIBUTES BLANKETS AND CLOTHING AS PART OF MANDELA MONTH DRIVE

“Please remember that after the storm, the sun will shine again. Together and with confidence we can fight hand in hand to win the battle for a brighter future for all.”

PMG Mining, a manganese mine, situated approximately 40 kilometres outside Postmasburg in the Tsantsabane municipal area, is serious about the sustainable development of its host communities. On an annual basis, the mine runs various CSI projects, amongst others; grants, donations and special projects on significant holidays, to uplift the communities wherein it’s situated.

Mandela Month is an important giving time for the mine’s CEO, Mrs Lin van der Westhuizen. As a globally recognised day of philanthropy, Mandela Day is held on July 18 each year. Despite severe financial and social constraints brought about by the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, PMG Mining continued during July 2020 with its community charity. In her message of support, van der Westhuizen acknowledged the unique hardships facing a pandemic-ridden world. “The year 2020 has not been easy to anyone, the spirit in the world is different, as we celebrate Mandela day, the world is struggling to keep COVID-19 at bay,” CEO van der Westhuizen said.

The Tsantsabane Municipality is particularly hard-hit by the pandemic and since the lockdown, PMG Mining launched various social investment initiatives to soften the detrimental impact. In spite of these challenging times, PMG mine remains committed more than ever, in line with the example of the late Nelson Mandela, to the social upliftment of the community. “We put the community first and will, in these trying times, persevere with our commitment to social responsibility,” the CEO, an avid philanthropist, said. “We have not hesitated with our community support, because we are aware that this virus knows no boundaries, and is a common challenge for all of mankind.” Understanding that the pandemic is disrupting almost every facet of community life, PMG mining, over the last few months, donated various epidemic preventative material, not only to its workers and families, but also to the larger community.

To observe Mandela Month, on Thursday, 23 July 2020, the Public Relations Manager of the mine, Mrs Delicia Phete, handed over blankets- and clothing parcels, respectively, to the mayor of the Tsantsabane Municipality and representatives from the Department of Social Development. “We are grateful to be associated with the Tsantsabane municipality and we wish to strengthen the relationship between the PMG management and the municipal leaders,” Phete said, at the handover. Receiving the blankets on behalf of the community, the honourable mayor of Tsantsabane, Mrs Mpho Mashila, thanked PMG Mining for its continuing investment in the community. “On behalf of the local municipality, we would like to thank PMG for the donation made, this is happening annually and we want to thank the mine for its constant commitment to giving, for this assist us with service delivery,” the mayor said. “Remember, we are in difficult times with COVID-19, so the sanitizers and soap in these packets are extremely needed in the community.”

On a personal level, July is an extremely important month for the CEO. Annually she uses the occasion of her birthday to give back to the community. This year she donated clothing to vulnerable children in the community. Public Relations Manager, Delicia Phete, describes CEO van der Westhuizen as ‘someone who holds children dear to her heart’. “She has donated clothing and toys to children in need, and this is a donation that she annually does in her personal capacity.” Social Workers Ronwan Davids and Linchen May identified vulnerable households and the clothing parcels were handed over to them.

In her message of support, the CEO invoked the spirit of Madiba. “Please remember that after the storm, the sun will shine again. Together and with confidence we can fight hand in hand to win the battle for a brighter future for all. As Mandela once remarked: ‘It is easy to break down and destroy. The heroes are the ones that make peace and build.”