Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
24 April 2025
During an official handover ceremony on Friday, 11 April 2025, over 40 beneficiaries from local communities around Pan African Resources’ Evander operations received accreditation certificates in various practical skills, marking their successful completion of the mine’s skills development programme under its current Social and Labour Plan (SLP).
The training was focused on practical fields including farming, mechanical fitting, bricklaying, sewing, and seamstressing. It was facilitated by accredited local service providers CDE Resources and Nosamukelo (Pty) Ltd – supported and funded through the Mine’s enterprise development programme.
As part of its commitment to sustainable community empowerment, Evander Gold Mines also donated sewing machines to the 10 beneficiaries who successfully completed the seamstress training course, providing them with the means to start their own businesses and build a path toward self-employment and sustainability.
The event was attended by various stakeholders, including representatives from the local House of Traditional Leaders, who commended the mine for its continued and lasting contributions to community development through the transfer of meaningful skills.
“We are committed to helping our host communities grow,” said Mr Sebele, HR Manager at Evander Gold Mines, who added: “These are skills that will sustain livelihoods beyond the life of the Mine and sustain the local economy.”
This initiative is part of the Mine’s broader strategy to uplift host communities through ongoing skills training and enterprise support, and create long-term development opportunities. Additional skills development programmes are planned that will continue the positive impact achieved in the local communities with this initiative.
