R20 million birthday present for Palabora Foundation

2007-08-13

For all the glamour of the occasion last Wednesday night, the highlight of the Palabora Foundation’s 20th anniversary gala dinner was not a part of the evening’s programme. The talking point of the night was the announcement of a twenty million rand “birthday present” from Palabora Mining Company/Rio Tinto. The money is earmarked for specific building projects to help the Palabora Foundation continue its solid work in community sustainable development.

One of the largest recipients of new budget is the Skills Development unit, with R5,6 million being invested in skills classrooms. Just under a million goes to each of the Leboneng and Rixile Education Centres for their new Technokidz programmes. The list also includes: well over R5 million for library upgrades and books in various locations, and a whole new library for the community of Selwana; R100 000 for a borehole at Rixile HIV/AIDS project; over R2 million for Bambanani Early Learning Outreach Trust; R2,6 million for Hi-Kurile crafts project; and a further R3,7 million for various upgrades and additions to the education centres and administration offices.

The additional budget will ensure that the Palabora Foundation can continue on the path it has followed for the past 20 years, the path which led to a very special gala night last week. Attended by around 400 guests, the event was held at Selati Hall, with catering provided by Forever Resorts. The hall was transformed into a glittering setting for the enjoyment of VIPs including politicians, business people, community representatives and the staff of the Palabora Foundation. Each place setting included a commemorative history brochure and specially minted copper coin.

The Palabora Foundation has a lot to celebrate, quite apart from simply surviving since 1987. The programmes and projects that have been borne of the Foundation's commitment to the community have made a real, quantifiable difference to people in the area. Award winning programmes have ensured that the Foundation has secured its place in the hearts of local communities.

The evening was introduced by Isaac Masekwameng of NAFCOC, and included speeches from Keith Marshall (current Chairman of the Palabora Foundation and Managing Director of Palabora Mining Company), Al Leroy (first Chairman of the Foundation) and Godfrey Coetzee (first Director of the Foundation). Each speech gave the listeners a different perspective: from the mine’s original intentions in starting the Foundation, through to anecdotes from the early days and on to the vision for the future. And the vision for the future just happened to include another R20 million to spend!

Another highlight of the evening was Mhalamhala Primary School, whose learners presented a dramatised speech about the Palabora Foundation and its influence. In perfect unison, the girls stole everyone’s hearts with their poignant words.

It will be a night to remember for those fortunate to attend, for many reasons.

Breakdown of total building budget

Leboneng
Skills classrooms	R 5 646 629
Bambanani	R 2 091 348
Technokidz	R 950 999
Staff room & kitchen	R 114 060
Paving of roads	R 1 285 157
Rixile
Hi Kurile	R 2 626 216
Technokidz	R 894 996
Library entrance & toilets	R 234 084
Paving of roads	R 876 877
Admin office
Offices & stores	R 1 192 316
Selwana Community Library	R 2 500 000
Book donations	R 2 500 000
Library equipment upgrade	R 500 000
Rixile HIV/AIDS borehole	R 100 000
Total	R 20 320 363

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