Seriti hosts skills academy graduation for local youth in partnership with Gert Sibande TVET college in Standerton Download as pdf (112 KB)

Johannesburg, 26 August 2021: Seriti, in partnership with the Gert Sibande TVET College Skills and Artisan Development Centre, hosted a graduation ceremony for 410 local learners who completed a short skills training programme in Standerton.

The graduation marks the successful completion of a six-month long skills training programme facilitated by Gert Sibande TVET College skills centre. The programme was aimed at empowering the Standerton and Sakhile Community by bridging the scarcity of skills that engulfs the Country and the Province.

The skills programmes consisted of various areas of study including, Engineering and Soft Skills with the following trades; Bricklaying, Plumbing, Carpentry, Welding, Garment Making, Upholstery, Agriculture, Refrigeration, Basic Information Technology Computer (End User Computer), Early Childhood Development (ECD), Hairdressing, Accounting, and Basic Wholesale and Retail, all as Skills Basic programmes.

“The Skills programme forms part of Seriti Coal’s New Denmark Colliery’s Social Labour Plans (SLP) and as a business, we endeavour to eliminate the scarcity of skills facing the youth of Lekwa Community.

Seriti’s goal is to address the unemployment problem in the area; SMME development and investment in human capital development,” said Thabo Masike, Chief Corporate and Community Relations Officer at Seriti.

The highlight of the programme this year was the increased number of females showing interest in the field of engineering, particularly with August being the month of Women in the country. A number of ceremonies were held to honour students in the various faculties, to minimise the number of guests in the hall and ensure adherence to COVID-19 protocols. The students received a certificate of completion as well as a starter tool box set and equipment to help them to start their own businesses in the local communities.

Acting College Principal, Molifi Mabe said: “What I experienced today is what Government is pushing for; ‘Public-Private Partnership.’ To Seriti, we are truly humbled and grateful for the support in making all of this possible. Such initiatives will make our country a better place for all.”

Tokollo Mokoena, a wholesale and retail graduate said he appreciated the opportunity afforded to him through this initiative, and also urged Seriti to continue funding programmes like these as they are the breakthrough the youth need. “Today I am a Shop Assistant at Ackermans, thanks to the qualification I acquired through this programme. I am truly grateful,” he said.
Seriti is committed to developing communities surrounding its operations for future generations.

For further information please contact:

Hulisani Rasivhaga

+27 83 370 2327

NOTE TO EDITORS:

About Seriti:

Seriti Resources Holdings is a broad-based, 91% black-owned and controlled coal mining company.

Seriti’s subsidiary, Seriti Coal operates three large-scale, opencast and underground thermal coal mines – the New Vaal, New Denmark and Kriel collieries, which respectively supply Eskom’s Lethabo, Tutuka and Kriel power stations. The New Largo mine is currently under development, to meet the needs of the adjacent Kusile power station.

On 1 June 2021, Seriti acquired the operations of SA Coal Holdings Proprietary Limited (SAEC) from South32, bringing into the fold four additional mines – the Khutala, Klipspruit, and Middelburg Mines Services (MMS) North and South mines, which provide coal to the Kendal and Duhva power stations, as well as export coal via the Richards Bay Coal Terminal.

Seriti is co-owned by four anchor shareholders – Masimong Group Holdings (Masimong), Community Investment Holdings (CIH), Zungu Investments (Zico) and Thebe Investment Corporation (Thebe). It is Seriti’s philosophy that 10% of the equity in its mining operations be ring-fenced equally for the benefit of employees and communities through established unencumbered employee and community trusts.

As a responsible South African coal miner, Seriti has a proven track record in the acquisition, operation and development of large-scale opencast and underground coal mines. Guided by experienced board and management teams, Seriti maintains a principle focus on its long-term commitment to the domestic market and, in particular, the reliable and cost-effective provision of coal to Eskom.

Further information on Seriti can be found at www.seritiza.com