Hendrina - The future of a small Mpumalanga township looks brighter with the handover of a R5.6 million multi-purpose centre and a R1.5 million crSche.
The two facilities were officially handed over in Kwazamokuhle township near Hendrina on Tuesday morning by South Africa's sixth largest producer of thermal coal, Optimum Coal.
Optimum Coal refurbished the Kosmos Multi-purpose Community Centre and built a crSche at Mphephethe Primary School.
"Some of our kids will now be able to participate in various sporting codes. This will also help them to stay healthy and try new sport activities," said community member Morgan Selepe.
Steve Tshwete Local Municipality Mayor Michael Masina said his municipality and Optimum Coal had a mutually beneficial relationship dating back several years.
"The refurbished centre will go a long way in ensuring a safe and dignified place of gathering for future functions, ceremonies and celebrations," said Masina.
Optimum Coal Chief Executive Mike Teke said his company was committed to seeing prosperity go beyond its own bottom-line goals and pleasing shareholders.
"We aim to continuously contribute to the lives of our communities, whom we value as vital role players in ensuring the sustainability of our business," he said.
He said refurbishing the multi-purpose community centre was an illustration of the partnership the company shared with communities in which the company held mining operations.
"We hope that it will add value to the town of Hendrina and its surrounding communities," said Teke.
He added that over the years, the community centre became badly vandalised and was in a dilapidated condition when Optimum Coal commissioned the project team to revamp the facility.
"The centre used to be a hub of activity for the residents of Hendrina, serving as a country club with amenities such as all-weather tennis and netball courts, overlooking a scenic dam on the outskirts of the town," Teke said.
He said the centre had now been restored to its former glory.
The centre project was a direct response to the municipality and the community's needs. It includes a hall that caters for 500 people, with a kitchen and catering facility and all the necessary supporting amenities.
"The refurbished facility also makes provision for people living with disabilities, an integral component of Optimum Coal's development efforts," Teke said.
