SEKHUKHUNE/ LYDENBURG – The Booysendal management represented by Amos Mkhatshwa (Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator), Daphney Mekgwe from the Procurement Department and others brought smiles to the needy as they donated food parcels to more than 500 locals in Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality (MLM), Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM) and Thaba Chweu Municipality (TCM).

The mine also handed face masks to the communities.

On May 27 it started with its first batch of donations and donated 100 food parcels at Makgopeng Village outside Nebo. These were received by Kgoshi David Phetla on behalf of his community members.
Phetla thanked the mine for the food and pleaded with other businesses to follow suit.

“We are grateful for what the mine has done for our community. We have the most vulnerable people in our area and we believe the food parcels donated today will assist them in the upcoming months.”

The team from the mine proceeded to Jane Furse where it donated groceries at Ga-Molepane Village. The villagers were ecstatic to receive bags of maize meal, veggies, tinned food and many more items.

Lloyd Mankge, spokesperson of Tshufi community at Ga-Molepane, told Steelburger/Lydenburg News that they identified the needy families in the community and pleaded with the mine to assist them.

“We are thankful for what Northam Booysendal has done for our people. Some of them did not have face masks and the mine assisted in this regard.”

On May 27 management continued with its good deeds. This time around it started at Shaga Village where it handed food parcels to about 80 locals at Maartenshoop SAPS.

Gogo Pheladi Fenyane was among the recipients. She ululated as she received her groceries.
“We thank the mine for rescuing us during these tough times. We will share this with our kids and grandchildren.”
Other communities that benefited from Northam Booysendal’s donations in Mpumalanga were the Bakoni Ba Phetla at Kiwi Village as well as Borsfontein, Draaikraal/Bergendal and BBR Farmhouse.

Kgoshi William Makua of Draaikraal applauded Northam Booysendal for this initiative. “We would like to thank you for these gifts. They are surely going to make a difference in our lives. We thank you for choosing our community and may God grant you more to assist other families.”

The donations were concluded on June 3 with a handover of food parcels at Ngwaabe Home-based Care Centre, Maphopha Primary School and at Moshate Wa Malekane outside Steelpoort.

Speaking on behalf of the mine, Mkhatshwa said, “We are all affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown regulations, but we find it befitting to help our communities and ensure that our most vulnerable are provided for and protected during these difficult times.

“We believe in the importance of making a difference in the communities which we operate in, and this initiative also gives us an opportunity to strengthen the relationship with our key stakeholders.

“We urge locals to follow the lockdown regulations implemented by the government and to always maintain good personal hygiene as advised by public health experts.

“Northam Booysendal indeed cares about the needs of our communities,” he added. In total, the mine donated groceries to 570 people.

During the handouts, the personnel were accompanied by members of the SAPS to ensure compliance with Covid-19 regulations. The recipients were sanitised and adhered to social distancing.