By Cllr Sarah Mabotsa
MMC for Economic Development & Spatial Planning
Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC), Cllr Sarah Mabotsa, attended the Vergenoeg Mine’s Christmas community event in Region 5.
The Vergenoeg Mine Christmas Food Parcel Distribution, held at Dewagensdrift Clinic on Thursday, 18 December 2025, provided essential groceries to 50 vulnerable community members to assist them over the festive season.
“I thank the Vergenoeg Mine for the phenomenal work they do in supporting,
empowering and uplifting communities surrounding their mining operations.
These efforts range from support to schools, skills training for young people as well as their generous support to community members in need” said MMC Mabotsa.
MMC Mabotsa, on behalf of the Multi-party Coalition Government, wished the
beneficiaries and attendees a happy and safe Festive Season.
Community Spokesperson, Ms Sarah Makgakga, thanked the mine for helping
underprivileged community members and expressed her gratitude for Councillor
Makena and this administration for joining Vergenoeg Mine in their provision of Christmas groceries to needy members of the community.
“The Vergenoeg Mine is an example of inclusive growth and economic justice; a
business that seeks to ensure that the many and not only the few benefits from
economic activity” she said.
Earlier this year, Vergenoeg also upgraded the old computer laboratory at
Hammanskraal’s Rethabile Primary School.
The facility was upgraded in accordance with the Department of Basic Education’s Norms & Standards, with updates including upgrading of security, new electrification, ceiling and lighting, and equipping the facility with 50 workstations with laptops, other computer peripherals and airvconditioners.
Vergenoeg Mine also handed over one hundred pairs of school shoes to young
learners at the Hosea Kekana High School near Hammanskraal.
“In South Africa, more than 7 million schoolchildren in South Africa have never owned a pair of school shoes in their lives” explained Mabotsa.
These and other efforts to support and uplift communities form part of the Vergenoeg Mine’s social upliftment plans.
The City of Tshwane’s Economic Development Division assists various mining companies to identify relevant local economic development projects to enable the mines to implement their Social and Labour Plans.
A Social and Labour Plan is a document that mining companies submit to the
Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) as part of their application for mining rights.
The plan shows how the mine intends to share the benefits that flow from mining.
These shared benefits may include, for example, skills development for employees; upgrading local schools and roads; as well as providing housing, water and sanitation in the area.
Once a company is awarded a mining right, the social and labour plan they submitted becomes a binding legal document.
“Enabling mines to implement their social and labour plans ensures that our
communities are uplifted and reap benefits from the mining sector and allows for more inclusive economic development.
We thank the Vergenoeg Mine for their commitment to sharing the benefits of mining with the communities that surround them” said Councillor Sarah Mabotsa.
“Shared benefits and community upliftment helps to achieve greater economic and social justice.”
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