ArcelorMittal South Africa’s Newcastle Works is deeply embedded within the Newcastle community, employing thousands of residents and supporting local businesses, significantly boosting the local economy.
Speaking with Newcastillian News, the steel giant explained that its commitment extends beyond its business operations and steel production.
Truly embedding itself within the Newcastle Community, AMSA’s Newcastle Works is heavily involved in social upliftment to enhance the local community and make a difference among the town’s residents. AMSA’s Tami Didiza pointed out that ArcelorMittal South Africa is involved in various projects and programmes, which include the following:
- A science centre based in Madadeni.
- Steel donations.
- A soup kitchen.
- Health care training.
- Agricultural Development Support.
When looking at the various social upliftment projects and programmes that benefit the Newcastle community, Didiza explained that one such project is the science centre which provides STEM-based curricular and extra-curricular support for learners and teachers.
“The education programmes start at Early Childhood Development, from Primary and High School through to tertiary institutions and FET colleges. Students are exposed to science and technology in a fun and relaxed environment, with access to classrooms, fully equipped science laboratories, interactive science exhibitions that enhance their thinking skills and curriculum-linked science and mathematics instruction. ArcelorMittal South Africa also involves educators by providing teacher training to enhance overall teaching ability.”
In addition, AMSA supports training institutes and technical schools with steel donations, aiming to create more artisans and contribute to overall employment figures, as well as expanding the skills pool in South Africa.
The soup kitchen, located in a container on Boundary Road and sponsored by ArcelorMittal South Africa, operates with the support of various entities. “Local businesses and community members contribute weekly to ensure that in excess of 400 meals are served to needy community members,” Didiza noted.
Moreover, the health care training initiative assists young women training as caregivers, who then provide essential support to families, while also offering sustainable employment for these caregivers.
Reflecting on the agricultural development support, Didiza mentioned that this initiative supports Umzanzi Agri Business in the rural area of Mdagane. “Support has included farming implements, seedlings, fertilizers and a brush cutter. The local community benefits by not having to travel to town to obtain fresh vegetables. Umzanzi has also tutored locals on how to grow their own vegetable patches,” explained Didiza.
Looking ahead, AMSA further stated that it is committed to continuing its support for the community throughout the remainder of the year.
Furthermore, here is a look at the upcoming projects powered by AMSA:
- A proposed continuation of the health care training programme, which will assist in creating more employment.
- Further development of the agricultural initiative to benefit more people in the community.
- Assistance with steel for two local educational facilities to help provide training to students in the field of welding and boilermaking. Two schools from Vanderbijlpark have also made a similar request for steel, which will enable more training of students from these technical schools.
- Increased support for the feeding programme to raise the number of weekly meals.
Furthermore, Didiza emphasised the importance of these social upliftment projects for ArcelorMittal South Africa, stating, “Social upliftment projects are crucial for ArcelorMittal South Africa because they align with the company’s commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of local communities within their footprint areas. These projects aim to equip communities with education, skills, and practical support, ultimately uplifting people, improving their quality of life, and creating opportunities for their long-term development.”
Overall, Didiza noted that these social upliftment projects help ArcelorMittal South Africa become brokers of hope, fostering a sense of community and responsibility while enhancing the company’s reputation and relationship with the communities it serves.
As ArcelorMittal South Africa strives to make a difference in the lives of Newcastle residents through its Newcastle Works, what are your thoughts on the above?
Share your views in the comment section below.
One Response
It’s a fantastic job they are doing but what about the people that cannot get to the soup kitchen due to disabilities.
My neighbor and his wife are elderly, deep in their seventies trying to survive on two sassa pensions. The husband is now totally blind and while he had his eyesight was a good provider but due to his blindness can’t do anything anymore. All he lives for now is God our father and his family and friends.
We as their neighbors share whatever we got, can’t some support be offered to them as well?