Makgomo Chrome helps create a future for youth from Four Farms
Makgomo Chrome is funding eight young people from the Four Farms communities to participate in Marula mine’s engineering learnership programme with revenue generated from the chrome project. The eight learners were selected from close to 440 applications received for this opportunity in a process that included traditional authorities from each community.
As a pilot programme, the chrome producer will fund the learners on 36-month programme while Marula mine facilitates and administers the programme. The effectiveness of the programme will be monitored closely to evaluate whether further interventions can be implemented.
Local youth who are part of the Makgomo Chrome-sponsored learnership programme
The learners underwent Competent B Training at the mine and then began their training on 16 September 2024 at the Witbank Colliery Training College. They will do structured training for two quarters and return for workplace learning at the plant for practical exposure. This rotation between theory and practical application will continue throughout until the learners start to qualify as artisans from 2028. The learners will also receive life skills training and ongoing mentorship support.
Education plays a critical role in building sustainable communities and eradicating poverty, and mine engineering learnerships can change the lives of community youth by providing them with a pathway to meaningful employment. The programme also helps to build a pipeline of artisans in the local communities, opening employment opportunities with other companies too.
Fitting and machining learner, Kgodiso Hlongwa, from Diphale Village, expressed his appreciation for the learning opportunity by Makgomo. “I am really going to work hard to qualify as an artisan and make everyone who has invested in me proud. I sold myself very well in the interview to be selected from the many applications received. It is now up to me to do the rest to complete my training on time.”
Tebatso Matibidi from Magabaneng Village, who already holds an N6 Electrical Engineering from Tshwane South College, says, “I started working with electricity at a younger age, fixing electrical appliances. That is when I developed the love for electricity. We get the necessary support from Makgomo Chrome and Marula. When the going gets tough, we can reach out to Mr Boy Seitei, Marula mine’s acting HRD Manager, who does everything in his power for us to be okay with our studies. I would like to acknowledge my mom, aunt and uncle for motivating me to work hard and focus on my studies.”
Precious Maepa from Seeuwe, also with an N6 Electrical Engineering, praised Makgomo Chrome for enabling her and other learners for the opportunity to get vital skills training, “I believe I had what it takes to be part of the eight engineering learners especially looking at the processes we have been through before the final selection. To the young ones, please work hard and remain disciplined. It is very hard out there. Always familiarise yourself with unemployment statistics, this should motivate you to be a top achiever. For me, the journey will not end when I qualify as an artisan. There is a lot in store for me.”
By acquiring specialised skills and industry-specific knowledge, these learners will be better positioned to secure job opportunities within the mining sector, which is a significant source of employment in communities around the Sekhukhune region.
“This not only improves the economic prospects of our local youth but also contributes to the overall development and prosperity of our communities and we would like to thank Marula mine and the Makgomo Chrome project for continually investing in our communities through critical skills development,” says Mr Seitei.