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Richards Bay Coal Terminal: Projects
Some of the community projects include:
OUR COMMUNITIES MATTER TO US
As part of our commitment of being a responsible corporate citizen, it is our policy to conduct business in a manner that is compatible with the economic, social and environmental needs of the communities in which we operate.
RBCT’s corporate social investment strategy plays a constructive role in enhancing the quality of life in the communities within which our people live.
Over the past few years, RBCT’s approach to Socio-Economic Development (SED) has moved towards a philosophy that is fully accountable and geared towards providing sustainable solutions to real needs identified I in the community. The success of this philosophy hinges on the recognition that any social involvement should make a meaningful improvement to the lives of the people and communities that it is designed to benefit.
Our employees also play a significant role through our SED Committee, consisting of volunteers from all levels within the company, as well as union and employee representatives. Our aim is to promote the development of self‑reliant communities and to facilitate sustainable community development programmes. Our initiatives primarily focus on education, health, HIV/AIDS, community skills upliftment, welfare, environment, community service and crime prevention.
RBCT’s CSI Investment
Our relationship with our local community has been substantially boosted by various social involvement initiatives:
Trees for Life
RBCT currently sponsors over 450 learners identified from the Dube and Esikhawini areas to participate in the Indigenous Trees for Life project which is run by the Wildlands Conservation Trust. The project aimed at giving poorest of the poor the opportunity to literally “grow” their way out of poverty.
The young entrepreneurs receive basic training and the initial resources required to grow indigenous trees. They then collect seeds from their local areas and propagate them, nurturing the trees until they are large enough to be sold. Wildlands Conservation Trust buys the trees back from the learners and sells them to various greening projects around the province. The young entrepreneurs are paid in cash per tree or barter the trees for a variety of goods such as food, clothes or even bicycles.
Ntabeni Primary School
We again renewed our commitment to Ntabeni Primary School by providing funds for the building of yet another classroom and kitchen, bringing the total amount of funding that RBCT has injected into the Ntabeni Primary School to approximately R2 million since 2001.
The school has developed from lessons being conducted under a tree by a single teacher to a fully fledged primary school sporting 12 classrooms, electricity, an ablution block, walk ways, an admin block, concrete quad area and office equipment with 10 full-time staff members including a principal paid for by the Department of Education.
Swana School and Assessment Centre
2007 marked an important milestone in our corporate social investment initiatives. Inaugural funding of R600 000 for the building of Swana School and Assessment Centre, a school which caters for children with special learning needs, was approved.
The school was started in a house in Empangeni in 2005 as a non-profit organisation catering for nine children with special learning needs. Children who attend Swana School are neither mentally retarded nor able to cope with the pace in a mainstream school and need a high level of support.
Today, with a staff of seven, Swana School is only able to provide holistic education and therapy to 25 learners but the school would like to expand its capacity to 280 learners. Land has been approved by the Department of Education for the construction of a facility to accommodate 280 learners.
The school also functions as an Assessment Centre for all learners with special educational needs in the Zululand area.
Amangwe Crèche
RBCT has committed R1 million since 2003 to the creation of infrastructure at Amangwe Village including the support of a fully equipped crèche at Amangwe Village catering for children affected by HIV/Aids. A flagship initiative of RBCT, the Crèche has grown since it first opened its doors to 16 orphaned and vulnerable children in January 2004 to 40 children in 2006.
On an annual basis , RBCT donates R100 000 to be used towards the operational costs for the Crèche.
Nseleni Skills Centre
The Nseleni Skills Centre run by the Umfolozi College provides welding, building and sewing training for unemployed people in the area. The money that was earmarked for Nseleni has been approved to be redirected to Esikhawini Further Education and Training ( FET ) College as it is the most appropriate college to provide National Certificate Vocational (NCV) programmes in construction and engineering.
RBCT supports Government’s Joint Initiative on Priority Skills Acquisition (JIPSA), aimed at increasing the quality and quantity of skills in South Africa.
R500 000 was donated to the skills centre during 2008.
A number of our employees are involved in various welfare and community organisations, giving up their time and sharing their expertise.
RBCT Relay Run
The RBCT Charity Relay Run is RBCT’s flagship project. The annual charity event organised by RBCT is a highlight on the region’s athletics calendar. The 49.2km relay run is the second largest sporting event in Zululand attracting more than 3000 runners and walkers and some 7000 spectators each year.
All proceeds raised from the entry fees and site bookings go to deserving charities in the area. In 2007, the charity relay run raised in excess of R80 000 for local charities, which in turn, put these annual donations to good use in their respective operations in a range of interventions that have a far-reaching and positive impact in the local communities within which RBCT operates.
Organisations that benefited in 2007 are: SPCA, Thuthukani Special School, NSRI, SA Scout Association, DICE, Richards Bay Family Care, Rotary and Round Table.
In 2008, proceeds in excess of R100 000 were donated to deserving local charities to further enhance the services they provide to our communities
Business against crime (BAC)
RBCT is a member of the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s division of Business Against Crime which has aligned itself to the needs of businesses to support the SAPS and justice system in its fight against crime. The Esikhwawini Police Station was adopted by RBCT in terms of the National SAPS Services Delivery Improvement Programme (SDIP) initiative.
National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI)
RBCT has had a longstanding relationship with the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and has been the main sponsor of the local station since 1976. A non-profit organisation, NSRI’s crew consists of unpaid volunteers, including RBCT employees, who devote their spare time and energy to saving lives in South African waters.
In 1986, RBCT together with Alusaf (now known as BHP Billiton) donated a brand new Lochin Marine 38ft deep-sea rescue craft known as “The Spirit of Richards Bay”, which is still the flagship of the NSRI's fleet in South Africa.
In 2007, the construction of a new base aimed at extending the life of “The Spirit of Richards Bay” was completed. RBCT donated R550 000 towards the cost of this project. The NSRI also benefits from RBCT’s annual standard donations initiatives
Thuthukani Special School
Thuthukani Special School situated on the outskirts of Empangeni caters for educational needs of 300 mentally handicapped learners aged 6 to 18 years. The main focus of the programme is to ensure that the leaners leave the school as independent as possible and to equip them with the skills so that they would be able to play a contributing role in society as adults.
RBCT is proud to be associated with Thuthukani Special School and our aim is to ensure quality education and the holistic development of the children. We also would like to see that the learners are afforded the opportunity to participate and excel in areas such as sport, dancing, singing, etc.
Siyabonga Shelter
The House of Shalom, an interdenominational organisation is the umbrella organisation for a number of projects including the Siyabonga Shelter.
Siyabonga Shelter is a place of refuge for abandoned, abused and neglected children, rehabilitation of street children, and the caring for children with HIV/AIDS. The shelter provides a more positive lifestyle for these children.
SPCA Richards Bay and Empangeni
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has a committee, made up solely of volunteers. The committee employs eight full-time workers and the branch is completely reliant on financial support.
RBCT together with BHP Billiton donated funds to allow for the revamping of existing kennels and construction of a new kennel block to accommodate boarders; the existing small cattery has been upgraded and a new cattery, clinic, stable and a bathing and dipping area have recently been completed. The new boarding facilities will assist in the society's goal of becoming self-supporting.
The Richards Bay and Empangeni Family Care
Family Care is a voluntary, community based, non-profit, governmental organisation with a vision to promote and protect the interests and development of children in a family context. Family Care provides comprehensive services including foster care, children's courts, abused children, marriage problems, substance abuse, victims of crime, material needs and a Feed the Babies Fund.
Red Cross
The South African Red Cross Society is an impartial, neutral and independent organisation with a core mission to identify, prevent and alleviate human suffering and foster human dignity in all communities.
SANCA
The South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA) is a non-governmental organisation whose major objectives are the prevention and treatment of alcohol and other drug dependence.
Zululand Mental Health Society
The Zululand Mental Health Society is a Non Profit Organisation providing advice, counselling and support for preventative and rehabilitative aspects of mental illness, mental handicap and disabilities. Protective workshops and self help groups are held for the mentally handicapped where they are equipped with skills with the view to earning an income and enhancing quality of life.
Zululand Hospice
Zululand Hospice provides palliative care for patients with progressive diseases as well as bereavement support for their families.