Mining giant Harmony has partnered with the Matjhabeng Local Municipality to help boost and formalise the local economy.
Informal businesses will move from where they have been operating to the site that was formally marked as a business area.
Twelve businesses have been identified and will be operating within the site formally known as the Thabong Light Industrial Area. This will be finalised once the fencing, paving, slabbing and installation of the containers that the businesses will operate from has been completed.
The container hub is set to be up and running within six to eight weeks as indicated by the contractor, who said the sub-contractor and labour for the project consists of locals. It is expected to employ ten people, focusing on women and youth.
Lebohang Shabe, responsible for stakeholder relations and enterprise development at Harmony, indicated the company’s willingness to contribute towards the upliftment of the local economy.
“We are very happy to be able to give back to the community and boost the economy. We urge all residents to support these businesses and protect this investment.”
Recipients thanked Harmony and Matjhabeng for the initiative and indicated that they are looking forward to the positive contribution that it will make by boosting the township economy.
In his keynote address, Mojalefa Buti, member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for Local Economic Development, commended Harmony for continuing to initiate ventures that benefit the communities in which they operate.
He also encouraged that the containers be occupied and used immediately so as to avoid vandalism.
“In the past, similar initiatives never yielded the desired results as the containers remained vacant and became havens for vandals. Let us take ownership of this venture and protect it as business owners and as an entire community. It is here to benefit all of us,” Buti said.
The containers will remain the property of Harmony and the municipality and the business site will be monitored.
The initiative falls under Harmony’ Social Labour Plan and is in the municipality’s Integrated Development Plan.
