Anglo American Platinum’s Mogalakwena Mine recently opened the refurbished Mapela sports complex in an effort to encourage a sporting culture in Ga-Molekana and Mapela neighbouring communities.
Mogalakwena Mine management in consultation with local stakeholders identified the lack of sporting facilities as one of the factors that may be contributing to the increasing number of teenage pregnancies and exposure to drug and alcohol abuse, as youths in the area do not have access to sporting facilities for extramural activities.
The initial scope of work was to refurbish a dilapidated soccer field and upgrade the change rooms. Mogalakwena Mine further identified an opportunity to construct additional sporting code facilities to include netball, volleyball, basketball and tennis courts. Through the refurbishment project, Anglo American Platinum ensured that a local supplier was appointed who in turn employed locals in the fields of plumbing, carpentry and general work at the sports field. The result of the refurbishment gave birth to the Mapela 5-in-1 sports complex.
Speaking at the official opening of the sports complex, Mogalakwena Mine Social Performance Manager Hilda Motumi said, “When the request from the Mapela community and Mogalakwena Local Municipality came through, we reached out to make sure we make this a reality as a company. Soccer is not the only sporting code that can promote community wellness, with this in mind we decided to construct additional facilities to accommodate netball, volleyball, basketball and tennis. As Anglo American Platinum we value the opportunities to develop our neighbouring communities socially and economically.”
Representing Kgoshi KD Langa of the Mapela Traditional Authority, Mr Sekhu said “On behalf of the Kgoshi, I would like to thank Mogalakwena Mine for this sports field because it will benefit the entire Mapela communities. I encourage the youth of Mapela of make use to the facilities to full capacity and be inspired by our national teams. I believe that this facility has the potential to produce local sporting heroes. We thank Anglo American Platinum for the facility as our children will no longer travel long distances to reach sport facilities.”
Andrina Matsemela delivering a keynote on behalf of the Mayor of Mogalakwena Local Municipality said; “The Mayor is grateful to Anglo American Platinum for constructing the 5-in-1 facility as it’s the first of its kind in Mapela villages. The facility will promote the well-being of our youth and keep them away from drug abuse and other social burdens due to lock of sport and recreation. As a municipality we are encouraged that Mogalakwena Mine is open to a Public Private Partnership approach to ensure that local economic development needs are met through community projects.”