To promote sustainable communities, Exxaro and Thungela Resources‘ Mafube Coal recently held a graduation ceremony for 39 participants of a skills development program aimed at assisting resettled residents in Middelburg, Mpumalanga. This program is part of a larger livelihood restoration initiative, supported by an investment of R5.2 million intended to help community members rebuild their livelihoods.

Sherperd Nkadimeng, General Manager at Mafube Coal, explained, “This programme is designed to help community members gain practical skills as a foundation for earning a sustainable livelihood. As part of the initiative, community members received business development skills and a Level 4 accredited qualification in freight logistics, supported by exposure to real business environments. This sets them up for both employment and self-employment.”

Portia Mbuyane, a programme graduate, shared, “The logistics programme gave me more than just a certificate; it gave me confidence and professional direction. Being exposed to real companies during the training helped me see where I can fit in, in the job market.”

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The programme also equipped beneficiaries with essential skills for entrepreneurship, including budgeting, business planning, financial literacy, and income-generation strategies. Several graduates have already started their own businesses, contributing to local economic growth and supporting their families.

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Nkadimeng emphasised the programme’s wider impact: “Industries like freight forwarding are growing, and with the right skills, people from mining communities can take advantage of opportunities beyond the mine. This kind of training is about opening doors and giving people the tools to grow on their own terms. This is how we deliver on our purpose to responsibly create value together for a shared future, for our communities.”