A roadshow held in the build-up to this year’s Investing in African Mining Indaba highlighted how collaboration between mining companies, government, communities and indigenous leadership can support equitable growth and long-term sector stability.

The roadshow saw Mining Indaba executives engaging with mining stakeholders, leading the conversation on the value of partnerships in the industry – critical to ensuring long-term progress for the sector, through infrastructure, education and social impact.

The roadshow formed part of preparations for the Investing in African Mining Indaba 2026, which will take place from February 9 to 12 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, and is intended to showcase partnership-led development models aligned with the event’s theme of Stronger together: Progress through partnerships.

One such partnership was exemplified in Phokeng, in the North West province, whereby the recently opened R13.3-million Maithufi Road bridge showcased how partnerships between communities, indigenous people and mining companies can drive change.

The Maithufi Road bridge project was commissioned by Impala Platinum Rustenburg to connect three villages that would have previously become cut off from the outside world during heavy rains, leaving communities isolated and children unable to attend school.

The initiative involved upgrading 660 m of road and building a bridge to improve access for 9 286 households in the district, as well as creating 20 jobs.

Such multi-stakeholder partnerships are enabled at government policy level, creating a sustainable model that can be replicated across South Africa’s platinum belt and the broader North West province, according to a statement issued by the roadshow organisers.

Speaking during the roadshow, the black-owned business commissioned to complete the project by Impala Platinum, Badiri Construction CEO Lesego Semenya said the opportunity had changed the economic trajectory of his company.

“The Maithufi project meant we could employ many young people from the area, where there are few jobs available,” he said, adding that it also allowed Badiri Construction to demonstrate that it can handle civil- engineering work of this scale, and grew its profile in the industry.

In addition, Semenya plans to attend this year’s Mining Indaba to learn about mining partnerships and networking to identify future opportunities.

The Mining Indaba roadshow was about highlighting the “powerful mining stakeholder partnerships” being built in South Africa’s platinum belt, says Mining Indaba public affairs South Africa head Collen Dlamini.

“The Maithufi Road bridge shows how mining companies can partner with small businesses to drive impact for communities and indigenous people,” said Mining Indaba product director Laura Nicholson.

Impala Platinum is involved in numerous community-development partnerships, she added, noting in this vein that Mining Indaba is “proud” to showcase these through its roadshow, underscoring the impact mining companies can have when working with communities.

Other recent community projects driven by Impala Rustenburg partnerships in the region have included the Bobuanja Community Centre, the Tsitsing water pipeline and the upgrading of the Retlakgona Primary School.

“The true wealth of mining lies in the communities it uplifts. Social and labour plans [SLPs], driven by partnerships, ensure that sustainability becomes more than a goal; it becomes a living reality,” said Royal Bafokeng Office of Kgosi operations director Bashi Makgale.

Confirming the value of a sincere partnership approach, Impala Rustenburg executive: head of stakeholder relations Tina Malau told the roadshow that relationships had to include all role-players.

She said community-focused SLPs had strong business benefits while also securing a mining company's social licence to operate.

“Everyone in the ecosystem has to be involved, all the way from community members to traditional leadership like the Royal Bafokeng nation, to provincial and national government,” said Malau, adding that there is a strong business case for deep, equity-based community involvement, which drives long-term stability and shared prosperity.

Impala Platinum recently acquired Royal Bafokeng Platinum in a broad-based empowerment transaction.

“The transaction is unique in the South African mining industry,” said Malau, adding that the community is a shareholder in the new entity, and an active partner.

“That inclusive dynamic has already changed strategic planning for the better. This is a long-term partnership, and we believe it can be a replicable blueprint for the industry at large,” she concludes.