Wonderkop Smelter hands over Concrete Mixers to local SMME

Glencore Representatives and founders of Mogopodi R Legacy Holdings cutting the ribbon at the handover.

27 September 2022 – Youth unemployment remains a huge challenge in South Africa. Youths are exploring various initiatives to improve their quality of life and Glencore recognizes the difficulties faced by them.

Glencore Ferroalloys’ Wonderkop Smelter handed over three leading edge Fiori Concrete Mixer machines worth over ZAR7 million to local youth owned SMME, Mogopodi R Legacy Holdings who will use the machines to produce concrete on a larger scale.

This investment forms part of the Smelter’s Supplier Development (SD) programme, which aims to uplift and support local SMMEs in its host communities. In addition, it assists in creating equal opportunities for businesses to operate in a sustainable manner that ultimately improves the livelihoods of the communities and its members.

“Our main objective is to ensure that the strategic partnerships we foster can cultivate sustainability for the business to maintain for future generations to come. We cannot grow in isolation as an operation. We are therefore optimistic that through this investment we can equip and encourage the business to, in turn, empower and transform the livelihoods of fellow members in our host communities,” said Wonderkop Smelter, Human Resources Manager, Fatima Hayat.

Mogopodi R Legacy Holdings is a family business that specialises in concrete block-making for the community of Rustenburg. Initially their business employed a manual mixing method for concrete, and with the increasing need for bricks in large quantities, it became evident that their business could no longer keep up with the demand. The business then applied for support through the ESD programme, and after a rigorous tender evaluation process, were selected for their potential to uplift the community while achieving business growth.

Glencore’s Ferroalloys’ Wonderkop Smelter General Manager, Francois Coetzee, thanked the guests who were in attendance at the handover event held at Wonderkop Smelter.

“This is a substantial initiative for the smelter as Mogopodi R Legacy Holdings will now be responsible for batching the concrete on site and will work closely with our project team. We look forward to working closely with the business and ensuring that they grow substantially. In addition, we want to encourage the team to follow in our footsteps by adhering to Glencore’s most important value, which is Safety, for that is at the core of our business. Congratulations once again, and rest assured we will walk this journey with you and make sure we progress together,” said Coetzee.

Mogopodi R Legacy Holdings has additionally signed a 5-year contract with Wonderkop smelter that encompasses three phases of support, the first being the concrete batching plant. The second phase will include a fully-fledged brick-making plant so that the SMME can supply larger quantities of bricks to the community as well as other organisations. Thirdly, the smelter will also provide the business with a mentorship programme through one of its existing suppliers, Rothcon Civil & Building Construction, who will equip Mogopodi R Legacy Holdings with the relevant technical skills needed to ensure future success.

“Thank you, Wonderkop Smelter, for this business opportunity and the guidance and support throughout the lengthy process we undertook to get to this point in our partnership. We are here to assure you that we equally value the importance of Safety in our business, for our employees are what make our business successful. Furthermore, we are committed to always producing quality work that will make the organisation proud to have us as partners. We will not let you down,” said the CEO of Mogopodi R Legacy Holdings, Obakeng Raditsela.

CEO of Mogopodi R Legacy Holdings, Obakeng Raditsela and founders

The support given to local SMMEs, and specifically youth-owned enterprises is part of Glencore’s commitment to ensure that it continues to create shared value and progress together that will leave a lasting legacy in the host communities, beyond the life of the Smelter.

Three leading-edge Fiori Concrete Mixer machines that were handed over.