Electricity supply project
20 December 2017, Johannesburg
PRESS RELEASE
Power supply of the houses around Phalanndwa Colliery
Canyon Coal supplied the families who live next to Phalanndwa Colliery with electricity
Canyon Coal, which is a mining company that has operations and projects in Mpumalanga and Gauteng provinces, presented a special Christmas gift to families who live next to Phalanndwa Colliery in Delmas, Mpumalanga.
Through the project, at least 50 people, most of whom are children, will have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Kate Madisha is a mother of four children and has been living next to the mine for five years. “When I moved here there was no electricity. We used candles and a coal stove to cook. It’s been difficult but we managed to come by,” she says. “Now that we have electricity, it is life changing. It will be easier for me to take care of my kids, and we can put some Christmas lights up for the first time ever. We are so happy”.
22-year-old Jabulani Jiyane grew up all his life next to the mine. This is the first time in 21 years that he has electricity at home. “I can finally charge my phone!” he says elatedly. Growing up, he had to walk to a nearby security post at the entrance of the mine, and leave his phone there to be charged. “When I’m having an important conversation and the phone battery dies, there’s always nothing I can do about it. The conversation is over. Now at least I can put my phone on charge”. He says that most families in the small village have bought TV’s, radios and sound systems. “We can finally live a normal life. I’ve also bought a laptop. I just wanna chill indoors now and watch movies”.
On behalf of the community, long-time resident of the area, William Mabena, said that all families were very grateful and appreciative for receiving electricity to their homes. “Thank you to GM Alan Mabbert and thank you to Canyon Coal. May God Bless you.”
Phalanndwa General Manager Alan Mabbett said he was very excited to provide free electricity connection to the community because it will radically improve their lives. Mabbett said: “There can be no better Christmas present than one that provides light. For us, it is not just symbolic; we are committed to join hands with our communities to improve their lives. Community development is an integral part of our business and we see it as a norm than an exception.”
Canyon Group Executive Chairman Vuslat Bayoglu, who supports the initiative, said “Wherever we run operations, we take into account the aspirations of the communities. That’s one of the ways we make a contribution to transforming the lives of our people.”
Canyon Coal is a mid-tier coal mining and exploration group of companies with operations in the Mpumalanga and Gauteng provinces of South Africa, as well as various exploration projects all over South Africa.
Contact information: Alan Mabbett, General Manager Phalanndwa Colliery
Tel: +27 72 216 7224
Email: a.mabbett@canyoncoal.com