Guided by its environmental, social and governance (ESG) mission, coal producer Kangra has undertaken various levels of corporate social investment (CSI), and social and labour plan initiatives, to produce a “tangible impact” on the communities surrounding its operations in the Mkhondo local municipality, in Mpumalanga.

The company’s efforts align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the South Africa Mining Charter, which promotes equitable access to mineral resources, enhanced industry development and addresses socioeconomic challenges facing the mining sector, says Kangra stakeholder relations manager Mpfuneni Mulaudzi.

Kangra’s CSI strategy prioritises collaborating with community forums and committees, with transparency and accountability, prioritising the community’s best interests as a means of fostering trust.

Mulaudzi adds that the identification, planning and execution of projects starts with consultations with key stakeholders, including community representatives, local councillors, the Mkhondo local municipality and traditional leaders to ensure that programmes correspond with local needs.

To measure the impact of its initiatives, Kangra’s key performance metrics measure direct and indirect job creation, skills development metrics, the number of bursaries awarded and levels of improvement in school pass rates.

Key focus areas for its social contribution include in agriculture, infrastructure development and education.

Kangra supports local farming by providing resources such as agricultural machinery, implements and fencing, with a tractor also recently being donated to the Donkerhoek community.

“Kangra is surrounded by rural communities that rely on farming . . . Supporting agriculture initiatives means that communities have a better chance at maintaining food security and potentially creating income from their crops or livestock,” says Mulaudzi.

A key agricultural initiative supported by Kangra is the Donkerhoek garden project – a 5 ha development aimed at promoting sustainable farming and creating employment. This project is a collaboration between Kangra, the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture and a local community forum.

Mulaudzi says the garden area of this project has been fully fenced, while further developments are planned for the near future, including the construction of a storage structure for tools and manure, as well as ablution facilities.

“These facilities are necessary for achieving South African Good Agricultural Practice accreditation, which would enable the project to supply produce to retailers and school feeding schemes, thereby unlocking access to formal markets,” he notes.

Infrastructure Upliftment, Education
Kangra’s ongoing infrastructure development efforts include refurbishing local bridges and road infrastructure, thereby supporting agricultural activity by facilitating the transport of produce, and improving access to essential services such as clinics and schools.

A key initiative in this regard is a R2.9-million road upgrade project in Saul Mkhizeville, which involved repairing potholes along the 18 km Mlotshwa road, which links Driefontein with the N2 highway.

Kangra handed over the repaired road to the Mkhondo local municipality at the start of this year.

Kangra is also undertaking an ongoing water project, meant to connect eight surrounding farms in Donkerhoek to clean and safe tap water. This initiative will contribute to the improvement of public health and social wellbeing of communities, says Mulaudzi.

“To date, we have reached an estimated 120 families residing on four farms. We anticipate that an estimated 240 households will benefit by the time the project is completed,” he enthuses.

Kangra also actively advocates for the promotion of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education at schools within its host communities.

Mulaudzi highlights a partnership with its contractor to donate scientific calculators to Vukubone Secondary School, in 2024, which contributed to an increase in the school’s pass rate – from 68% to 91%.

In addition to various donation campaigns, the company regularly participates in career expos, where team members visit schools to share information about career opportunities in the mining sector, thereby fostering youth development and helping to build a pipeline of future mining professionals.

“Kangra’s ongoing Cadet Training Programme, aimed at empowering local youth, equips youth with practical mining-related skills to enhance employability,” he points out.

The 2025 cohort of 50 cadets is set to start training before the end of the year, with an additional 50 cadets expected to be enrolled in 2026.

The training curriculum covers a wide range of mining-related disciplines such as underground and surface mining operations, machinery handling, safety measures, and basic maintenance and production processes.

The programme, outlines Mulaudzi, is designed to meet industry demand for skilled labour while uplifting the local community.