On 18 July 2019, Nelson Mandela International Day has enjoyed 10 years of global support and solidarity since it was launched in 2009.

This year the Nelson Mandela Foundation has launched a new Mandela Day strategy, titled “Mandela Day, The Next Chapter”, to mark the tenth anniversary of the initiative. In the next 10 years the focus is on mobilising people, governments, civil society and corporates to concentrate their efforts on the following 5 areas, education and literacy, food and nutrition, shelter, sanitation and active citizenship.

Thus, in the true spirit of Madiba Day, Exxaro Leeuwpan mine management and some volunteer employees dedicated their time by doing gardening at the Mafa Max Motloung Secondary School, they planted various vegetables and seedlings in the school garden. The mine also
donated garden tools as well as a sound system to the school.

After the gardening activities, the Leeuwpan team visited the Botleng Secondary School and handed over a cheque worth R800 000 for the refurbishment of burnt classes. Leeuwpan mine donated R400 000 and Sasol matched the amount with a further R400 000. Botleng Secondary School had a fire in September 2018 and four classrooms were badly damaged. The school approached the mine to assist them with the reparations of the classrooms, including the procurement of new furniture for the school.

This donation from Leeuwpan and Sasol will go towards the renovation and restoration of the classes including the removal of the damaged roof structure, stripping the walls and floors and removing all rubble. It will also include the erection of a new roof structure, plastering and painting of the walls, new ceiling boards, doors, windows, floor tiles and the replacement of all electrical wiring as well as new furniture for the classrooms.

Finally, Leeuwpan mine also handed over a Toyota Avanza for community policing to the Victor Khanye Local Municipality. The municipality approached the mine with a request for a vehicle dedicated for community policing in the area. Exxaro got their two biggest contractors involved, Plantcor and Lomeza and they agreed in purchasing this vehicle for the municipality which was officially handed over on the day.