Sustainability website / Case Studies 2003 / Xstrata alloys / Empowering the Local Youth of Bakwena-Ba-Mogopa

Empowering the Local Youth of Bakwena-Ba-Mogopa

Like many other historically disadvantaged communities, the BakwenaBa-Mogopa Community faced the problem of jobless youth. In close cooperation with the Tribal Authority, Xstrata Alloys facilitated the establishment of the ‘Bethanie Recruitment Agency’, through which the Company has contracted to employ all fixed term employees. To date some 1,300 workers have been employed, contributing US$729,530 to the community. The Agency is now expanding beyond the immediate Company and tribal area. A non-related company in Brits has requested the Agency to submit a tender for ‘Gardening and Cleaning’ for their entire plant, which will create jobs for 20 workers and generate an income in the excess of US$159,000 annually. Rhovan has assisted the Agency in putting together the business plan, budget and presentation required to secure this tender and will also provide the necessary business training. One of the additional outcomes of the establishment of the Agency has been the identification of further projects to facilitate local empowerment of disadvantaged groups. One example is provided by ‘Bethanie Landscaping and Cleaning Services’, a company that received start-up and tender advice from Rhovan and which was subsequently awarded the plant and offices cleaning contract.