Three exciting projects – and plenty of dedication – will create 100 much-needed jobs for villagers in the Mutala area, near Tshikondeni mine.

The first of these is the Sanari Entrepreneurial Centre, which will equip members of the local community with the skills to start their own small business. Skills taught will include carpentry, welding, art and decoration, sewing, furniture making and upholstery. Construction on the centre is complete and training workshops are being installed.

The second project involves reviving an orange farm in Masunda which closed down a few years ago after its equipment was stolen. When it is operational again, the Masunda Citrus Farm will have a two-week advantage over other citrus farms thanks to the warm climate of the area. The farm already employs nine women and three men, who are currently clearing the land in preparation for new trees. Two full-time security guards will be appointed to guard the farm and storerooms in which new equipment will be kept. The farm will produce its first harvest in 2011.

The third project will teach cattle farmers better farming methods and how to grow animal feed, thus improving the quality of their produce. It will also unite them in a co-operative to enable them to compete with other commercial farmers in the area.

Exxaro will build the necessary capacity within the Makuya farmers’ co-op and the Makuya Development Trust over five years, after which the members of the trust will be able to manage the project themselves.

All three projects were launched in 2008 and will be mentored by Exxaro over the next five years.