Responding to President Jacob Zuma´s call to fight poverty in the rural areas, ABSA Bank donated R475 000 to three of Muyexe´s comprehensive rural development projects. The money was handed over during an event that was held at the Muyexe community hall on Sunday.

The Khanimambo Training and Resource Centre received R250 000, Ntshuxeko Health Development programme received R200 000 and Muyexe Early Learning Centre will get R25 000. These projects are just a few of the many initiatives which aim to promote health within rural communities.

According to ABSA´s provincial Corporate Social Investment Consultant, Ms Martha Manamela, the Muyexe Early Learning Centre provides proper foundation training for children through quality education and assists in the emotional, social and intellectual development of rural children.

“One of Absa´s driving goals in Corporate Social Investment is to deliver a better life to as many South Africans as possible. Unemployment and poverty are the major challenges facing South Africans. By helping to provide people with educational and entrepreneurial skills, Absa provides hope for a better future” said Manamela.

The mayor of the Greater Giyani Municipality, Dories Mathebula, said the relations between the provincial government and business communities were the main force which changed the lives of rural people like the Muyexe community.

She also said that the local municipality and the provincial government were busy negotiating to open a gate to the Kruger National Park via Muyexe village, so that the community would also benefit from the comprehensive Rural Development programme.

The headman of Muyexe village, Chief Khazamula Ben Maluleke, applauded Absa by saying the company was following in the steps of the President Jacob Zuma, who launched the comprehensive rural development initiative a year ago in the village. “We are very pleased as a community by the work done by the government and business communities, especially their efforts and commitment to change the lives of the rural people” said Maluleke.