For young people in the Northern Cape’s indigenous communities, their chances of accessing education and training have improved significantly, thanks to a R25 million donation towards the Sol Plaatje University’s (SPU) Lesedi La Afrika Fund by Anglo American’s subsidiaries Kumba Iron Ore and De Beers Group.
The fund aims to raise R100 million in the next three years to support the university’s scholarships, infrastructure, social impact projects, and staff wellness programmes.
Kumba Iron Ore has pledged R20 million towards the fund, and De Beers a further R5 million.
Qondakele Sompondo, director for Institutional Advancement at SPU, said the plight of the youth in indigenous communities (Nama, San, Khoi, and Griqua) and in the Northern Cape is something that needs urgent attention.
“Through the fund we want to do something bigger than normal: we will award scholarships to augment what NSFAS is doing by funding the poorest of the poor,” he said.
Kumba Iron Ore’s executive head of Corporate Affairs, Pranill Ramchander, said the company’s donation was an investment into the future of the Northern Cape.
De Beers Group production manager Sonja van Rooyen said the company’s donation was part of an ongoing commitment to the province and its people.
The SPU has seen major growth in its enrolment figures and staff recruitment in recent years, with 60% of its academic staff having PhDs.
As part of its sustainable growth, the institution is committed to community engagement and scholarly activity.
“The university should be embedded in the community and society and contribute towards producing knowledgeable graduates who plough back to their communities,” said Prof. Andrew Crouch, vice-chancellor and principal of the SPU.
