Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul says the initiatives launched by Anglo American’s Kumba Iron Ore to support its employees and host communities during the Covid-19 pandemic will go a long way to help the provincial government contain the pandemic.
Dr Saul and members of the Northern Cape provincial government were among a delegation that visited Tsantsabane communities on 17 April to distribute food parcels to needy households and get a first-hand view of some of the response plans being put in place in partnership with Kumba.
The delegation included the MEC for Social Development, Barbara Bartlett, MEC for Health, Mase Manopole, MEC for Roads and Public Works, Abraham Vosloo, executive mayor of the ZF Mgcawu Municipality, Gift van Staden,and the mayor of the Tsantsabane Municipality, Mpho Mashila.
The premier and his delegation were accompanied by Kumba CEO Themba Mkhwanazi and Vusani Malie, the CEO of the Sishen Iron Ore Company-Community Development Trust.
Themba Mkhwanazi, Kumba’s CEO, says Kumba is part of an ecosystem, and they have adopted a holistic approach in their response that ensures healthy, safe employees and safe communities.
Collaborating with the premier and relevant provincial departments will ensure prevention, treatment and recovery, with increased access to healthcare services that are crucial in the fight against the pandemic, says Mkhwanazi
Kumba is part of the Joint Operations Centre (JOC) working with various stakeholders including the Tsantsabane Municipality, local government, local businesses, the South African Police Services, Community Policing Forums, the South African National Defence Force as well as the provincial health department during the Covid-19 lockdown to respond to community needs.
