Glencore Coal and the South African National Council for the Blind (SANCB) have joined forces to bring vital eye care services to residents in eMalahleni.

This year’s initiative combined two impactful programmes: Cataract surgeries at Witbank Hospital and eye screenings for local school learners.

During the campaign, which started from September to October 17, 22 patients received life-changing cataract surgeries that restored their vision and dignity. At the same time, 7 000 learners from Grades 4 to 12 were screened for refractive errors, with those needing spectacles set to receive them soon. This effort ensures thousands of young students will be able to see the classroom blackboard clearly once again.

“The loss of sight due to avoidable blindness should never occur,” said Angelina Khupe, manager of SANCB’s Bureau for the Prevention of Blindness. “Our ongoing partnership with Glencore Coal ensures quality eye care reaches people of all ages, giving them a brighter, more independent future.”

Now in its eighth year, the collaboration between SANCB and Glencore Coal continues to make a meaningful difference by addressing the backlog of cataract surgeries and expanding eye health access in the region.

Thato Gama, representing Tweefontein Glencore Mine, visited the hospital during the surgeries.

“As a mine, we believe in giving back to the communities where we operate,” he said. “It was my first time witnessing surgery inside a theatre. I was deeply moved to see patients leave with renewed hope and dignity.”

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