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Case Study: Tendele, KwaZulu-Natal
Tendele Coal Mining operates an anthracite mine
about 85km north-east of Richards Bay in KwaZulu-
Natal, South Africa. Back in 2007 the company
decided, without being coerced into doing so, to
make a meaningful contribution to the lives of the
Mpukunyoni people on whose land its Somkhele
mine is located.
The first step was to establish the Mpukunyoni
Development Company in conjunction with the
Mpukunyoni Mining Committee. The aim was to provide
people with jobs, skills and basic business acumen in
the hope that those who are empowered this way will
endeavour to help develop others in the community.
Then, in March 2011, an opportunity was identified
to enable the community to create and develop a brick-
making operation to facilitate building in the community
and surrounding area. A Hydraform M7MI blockmaking
machine and a crusher were procured for the project,
together with the requisite training for members of the
community.
Most importantly, the resulting project allows the
community to become an active participant in the
production and building process. This fosters a sense of
awareness and pride as many largely unskilled men and
women are empowered to earn an income and support
their families.
Constructing
a community
All businesses, but mining operations in particular,
are under pressure to contribute to building up the
community around their operations.
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