Voorspoed Mine leaves lasting legacy for the elderly

“If there’s one thing we can all learn from Ratang Maqheku’s journey is that when you look at the possibilities instead of the problems, the future is filled with endless opportunities.” This was the message when De Beers’s Voorspoed Mine launched the opening and handing over of the Ratang Maqheku Day Care for the Aged in Tumahole on Friday. The handover was in partnership with the office of the executive mayor of Ngwathe, Me Joey Mochela, and a local female-owned construction company, Tshepo ya Rona. The project, with a value of R5 million, forms part of the De Beers Voerspoed Mine’s social and labour plan. Josephine Pieters, De Beers Group-Managed Operation’s senior manager, said the construction of Ratang Maqheku Day Care Centre for the Aged was very close to De Beers’s heart. She said it would benefit senior citizens, who are the backbone of society.

“Unfortunately, we are living in unprecedented times, where we have to create a safe haven for our senior citizens to shield them from the very society that should be protecting them. We are very grateful for a team like Ratang management. We acknowledge their strength, commitment and perse- verance – it is through their determi- nation that this project is what it is today.” Pieters added that coming together and fighting against the social ills our elders face daily, and creating a refuge for them, is commendable. She said that the De Beers Group is proud to be a part of creating a future that is safer, fairer and healthier for the elderly. Mayor Joey Mochela thanked the mine for being a valuable stakeholder in the municipality.

Kewuti, the regional manager of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, highlighted that Voorspoed mine was committed to fulfilling its social labour plans, even during their care and maintenance stage.  

Ms Kalipa