Thungela’s Isibonelo Colliery has completed upgrades to the Emzinoni Multi-Purpose Centre and officially handed it over to Govan Mbeki Municipality, Mpumalanga. The R10.5 million investment strengthens the function of the centre as a hub for community activities, social services and public events. Upgrades to the main hall, office building, fencing, and paving have restored the centre, after damage left it in an unusable state. It is now fully operational and accessible to residents of Emzinoni and the wider Bethal community.
Thungela contributed a further R2.1 million towards phase one of the development of the waste transfer station in Embalenhle, which will cover an Environmental Impact Assessment, geophysical studies, designs and technical drawings required ahead of construction. The project was identified during the municipality’s Integrated Development Plan discussions and is a significant step toward advancing the station.
Edrich Welthagen, previous general manager at Isibonelo, said: “At the centre of these projects are the communities surrounding our operations. The Emzinoni Multi-Purpose Centre provides a shared space where people can gather, access services and participate in programmes that support social development. The work in eMbalenhle will help lay the groundwork for the construction of a waste management facility that will benefit households and create cleaner and healthier public spaces that will contribute to the wellbeing of residents.”
These initiatives form part of Thungela’s ongoing commitment to socio-economic development in communities surrounding our operations, strengthening local infrastructure and improving access to essential services.
Councillor Nhlakanipho Zuma, executive mayor of the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality, said: “The implementation of these projects underscores the positive outcomes of public-private collaboration that works. We are pleased to be part of a partnership that has played a key role in strengthening infrastructure, supporting service delivery and improving the lives of residents in communities within the municipality.”
The upgrade of the centre was delivered in partnership with the municipality, Izigi Consulting and Venn Milford, together with other local contractors. Guma Holdings completed the work, creating 64 temporary job opportunities and enabling subcontracting opportunities for 33 local businesses within the Emzinoni and Bethal communities.
ENDS