Substance abuse often leads to psychosocial ills, behavioural changes, and can foster criminal activities such as domestic and gender-based violence (GBV), and theft.
Recognising the urgent need for intervention on substance addiction among young people, Kumba Iron Ore’s Sishen Mine, member of the Anglo American company, in collaboration with community and church leaders, organised a voluntarily rehabilitation programme to provide support to victims of substance abuse.
A total of 18 men and women volunteered to participate in a six-month rehabilitation programme facilitated by the Hope Again Recovery Home, a substance rehabilitation non-profit organisation (NPO) in Mitchell Plains, Cape Town. The group underwent detoxification and counselling processes.
Upon completing their six-month stay at the facility, the group was welcomed back by friends and family at a home-coming ceremony organised by the mine.
During the event, George Benjamin, Corporate Affairs and Social Performance manager at Sishen Mine, emphasised the importance of creating social impact through community and church leaders. He stated the battle against substance addiction demands endurance, resilience, and communal support. Therefore, they have partnerships with organisations that provide support to the community.
“I congratulate the 18 men and women for their commitment to changing their lives. We are proud to have sponsored this initiative and we trust that the participants will return to their communities and be agents of positive change”.
Past. Peter van Rooyen of the Safe Haven Centre and Assembly of God Church, expressed his gratitude about the mine’s contribution to the programme.
“We are grateful to Anglo American for contributing towards this initiative. This will have a positive impact in the community, and we hope this will encourage and motivate those who are battling with substance addiction to get help.”
