Glencore announces Ntokozo Maseko founder of Hasadiah Academy of Excellence as the winner of their Women’s Month Competition

“Ntokozo is a shining example of what Progress Together is all about because she has shown that giving the little that you have can go a long way in impacting a positive change to those around you.”

 -Gracious Maswanganyi, Glencore’s Stakeholder Manager.

At the start of August, Glencore Coal kicked off women’s month with an exciting competition to honour women in communities by giving them a platform to tell their stories and showcase the work they’ve been doing during these unprecedented times. After an overwhelming response in entries and much deliberation, Glencore is happy to announce Ntokozo Maseko, founder of Hasadiah Academy of Excellence as the competition winner.

 

The aim of Glencore’s Women’s Month campaign was to shine the light on women who are doing phenomenal work in South African communities.  Glencore Coal singled out women’s month as the perfect opportunity to identify and honour women-led organisations and zoom in on their various projects and initiatives aimed at uplifting communities.

 

“I would like to thank Glencore for what they have done for me. As an unemployed graduate, I started this organisation with the intention of offering my expertise and giving back to the children in my community. I would have never thought that a company as big as Glencore would recognise and honour my efforts. We only had a few kids joining when I started and our numbers have grown so rapidly in such a short space of time so the support from Glencore will go a long way in growing this project. I am so grateful and excited for the future because Glencore has given me hope that we can reach even greater heights!” says Ntokozo Maseko, founder of Hasadiah Academy of Excellence.

 

The Hasadiah Academy of Excellence is a community project based in Doornkop, Middelburg. The project focuses on developing English reading and writing skills for grade four to grade seven learners and Mathematics for grade seven to grade twelve learners. Hasadiah Academy of Excellence started with only 14 learners in January and has managed to grow to 35 learners with plans of expanding and teaching basic Computer skills once they have managed to secure a permanent building. 

 

“We are so happy to be able to celebrate the amazing work being done by this young woman in her community. We are so proud of Ntokozo for her dedication in helping to educate the children of this community.” Gracious Maswanganyi, Glencore’s Stakeholder Manager.

 

Steve Tshwete Local Municipality Executive Mayor, Clr BJ Tolo, joined the many voices hailing Ntokozo’s efforts in the community, “The work Ntokozo has been doing for the children of this community has been truly phenomenal. She is a leading example of the type of youth this country needs to move forward and we are thankful to Glencore for honouring her sacrifices.” he said.

 

Ntokozo has won herself a cash prize of R20 000, half of which will go to further capacitating her organisation.

ABOUT GLENCORE 

Glencore is one of the world’s largest global diversified natural resource companies and a major producer and marketer of more than 90 commodities. The Group's operations comprise around 150 mining and metallurgical sites, oil production assets and agricultural facilities.

With a strong footprint in both established and emerging regions for natural resources, Glencore's industrial and marketing activities are supported by a global network of more than 90 offices located in over 50 countries.

Glencore's customers are industrial consumers, such as those in the automotive, steel, power generation, oil and food processing sectors. We also provide financing, logistics and other services to producers and consumers of commodities. Glencore's companies employ around 146,000 people, including contractors.

We began marketing activities in South Africa in 1974, and mining in 1988. Glencore has a strong presence in both the coal and ferroalloy sectors and is a major contributor to the local, provincial, and national economies and have almost 27,000 employees and contractors.

We are a leading producer of thermal coal which is intended for the domestic and export market. Thermal (or “steam”) coal is mainly used in power generation. Our coal operations are located near eMalahleni, Middelburg and Belfast in the Mpumalanga province.

Our ferroalloys business, is one of the world's largest integrated ferrochrome producers. Ferrochrome has anti-corrosive properties and around 80% goes into the production of stainless steel. Our chrome and vanadium operations are located across the mineral-rich Bushveld Complex of South Africa's North West, Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces.

Glencore is proud to be a member of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and the International Council on Mining and Metals. We are an active participant in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.