Simon Farrell, CEO of Coal of Africa Limited (CoAL), an Australian-based mining giant, has urged the Limpopo recipients of the Khosikhulu Thovhele Toni Mphephu Bursary Fund, also known as the King’s Scholars, to grab and exploit the opportunities created by the bursary scheme.

Mr Farrell was speaking during last Thursday’s official launching of the bursary fund at the Makhado Multi-Purpose Centre in Dzanani. The names of the 32 students who will be the first beneficiaries of the fund were officially announced and the students were introduced to the mine representatives from Australia and the people of Vhembe.

The fund was set up by Coal of Africa Mine Limited, to help children from poor families who want to study mining-related courses at various universities and technical institutions. In May last year, CoAL launched its coal mine at Mudimeli village outside Louis Trichardt. At that event, the managing director of the mining company, Mr Simon Farrell, pledged that upon the granting of mining rights by the Department of Minerals and Energy, CoAL would contribute R10 million towards the set-up, establishment and funding of a full bursary programme. The mine, in partnership with Khosikhulu Vho-Toni Mphephu Ramabulana and the Makhado Municipality, then established the bursary fund.

According to Farrell, to date his company has invested R2,5 million for Limpopo learners who have chosen a career in mining and geology. He also said the Mudimeli Coal Mine would open very soon.

He said the increased commitment to training would help address the skills shortages in the mining industry in Limpopo Province and would provide a benefit to communities in which Coal of Africa operates. “Given the low skills levels in this area, Coal of Africa is committed through its skills development plan to contribute R160 million over a five-year period for skills development, infrastructure development and community services in the Limpopo Province,” he said.

“The current shortage of skills in the economy is exacerbated by a shortage of qualified people in the scientific, engineering, geology and technical fields. Coal of Africa’s core business relies heavily on the availability of skilled people in these sectors,” said Farrell. He added that mining was a vital ingredient to South Africa and Limpopo’s growing economy, contributing around 5% to the country’s GDP.

Khosikhulu Vho-Toni Mphephu commended Coal of Africa’s plan to develop his area through the mining industry as another way of providing jobs to jobless community members and equipping rural learners with the necessary skills.

One of the university students benefiting from the bursary fund, Ndamulelo Murodovha (19) of Tshituni village, said his life had changed for the better, because his parents cannot afford to send him to university. He said his father was the only working person in the family of eight people who largely depend on him in education and family matters, but now the misery was over.

Murodovha is a first-year student at the University of Johannesburg and is doing a course in mechanical engineering.

The MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Mr Pitsi Moloto, expressed his appreciation to CoAL for their contribution to both the economy of the province and to the education of the learners of Limpopo.