25 Mar 2013

Matshelagabedi councillor, Ms Winnie Showa has commended Tati Nickel Mine efforts in empowering the communities.

Speaking at the handing over of  a house that the mine built to Ms Keitsheletse Mochae, Cllr Showa appealed to the mine not to concentrate only in the neighbouring villages but extend its help to others as well.

She said the mine has heeded the Presidential call of assisting the needy members of the community, adding that the mine has previously donated factory shells, gardens, poultries and a play school among others, to the village.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, Matshelagabedi Kgosi Oganne Polson appreciated the mine, saying it has been instrumental in terms of developments in his village.

Kgosi Polson said the donation was in line with the Vision 2016 pillar of a Compassionate, Just and Caring nation.

“This house is not only a sign of compassion but will also play a role in instilling Ms Mochae’s dignity,” he said.

He appealed to Ms Mochae’s children to take good care of the house, and urged the youth of Matshelagabedi to uphold principles of botho, unity and love for one another.

Handing over the house, the acting managing director of the mine, Mr Sergey Steshenko said the funds of the house were raised through a charity walk last year and through ‘donate a day’ initiative in which staff members donated one day from their leave days.

He commended the mine staff for their response in the call for donating their days, saying the response was more than what they expected.

Mr Steshenko said the construction of the house, which involved the local people, has indicated that there was a lot of skill in Matshelagabedi. He appealed to companies to utilize the skills in order to empower the locals.

Mr Chester Mochae, who is the son to the beneficiary, thanked the mine for building a house for his mother. Apart from the three-roomed house, the mine also handed over a toilet, a bed, cutlery, dining chairs and a lounge suite. ENDS