De Beers Venetia Mine has committed R6.6 million to assist the Musina Local Municipality to repair and improve 11 road intersections in and around Musina.

The Road Intersection Intervention Project forms part of Venetia mine’s Social Labour Plan and stems from a strong partnership between Venetia Mine and the Musina Municipality and extensive engagement regarding the significant deterioration of local roads.

To cultivate skills in the community and build capacity, De Beers made use of a contractor model in which an experienced, international contractor partnered with a smaller, black-owned provincial business based in Thohoyandou. The project provides mentorship to 10 employees from the selected local supplier and created 17 additional temporary jobs for local residents.

The Musina Road Intersection Intervention Project is currently in progress, with work on eight of the intersections, including the corners of Whyte Road and National Road, Paul Mills and Sterkbos and Elias Muthuvhele in Nancefield, already underway. With the additional three intersections scheduled for January, Venetia Mine and the local contractors hope to complete the project within the first quarter of 2014.

When speaking about the project, Public and Corporate Affairs Manager Josephine Pieters said, “The Musina Road Intersection Intervention Project is a means of uplifting our community and improving the quality of life for the residents of Musina. We are committed to leaving a real and lasting legacy in the communities in which we operate and, as such, we are proud to partner with local government on this project.”