Harmony Invests in Sport & Education in Khutsong0

Harmony Gold Mines, a Trustee of The Sports Trust has invested in installing 3 Multipurpose Sport Courts, using The Sports Trust as their implementation partner. The first one was handed over successfully last year at Mamello Secondary School in Virginia and today we are handing over the 2nd sport court here at Badirile Secondary School in Khutsong, with the third and last sport court being handed over later in the year.

Harmony’s strategic objective is to be relevant to mining and labour-sending communities by effectively contributing to community development that is sustainable. They are proud to be able to contribute to such a worthy initiative and at the same time develop South Africa’s future sporting talent as well as enhance the educational facilities.

The Multipurpose Sport Court facility will be used by 9 other surrounding schools (2 Secondary Schools and 7 Primary Schools) and the community’s local clubs. Sports programmes in Khutsong include soccer, netball, basketball and volleyball.

The outdoor multipurpose sport court has a twenty year lifespan, fifteen year warranty and made up of interlocking tiles, that provide lateral forgiveness and minimal impact on the joints of the players. It has also been audited and verified as “Zero Waste” and environmentally friendly, which is in line with the Sports Trust’s ‘green’ policy of helping to protect the environment. An integral part of this sustainable project includes coaching of the local coaches in these respective sporting codes which empowers them to continue to improve their skills and training methods to become more effective, and ultimately achieve better performance from their players.

These facilities require the support and involvement of the educators, physical educators and the community through recreational sports, competitions and talent development. The Sports Trust has entered into a joint venture with University of Western Cape and the German Sports University, and YES (Youth Evolution Sport) to place volunteer students at this facility in order to achieve sustainability. Training courses have taken place in terms of facility management, coaching, and court testing and we have identified ways of achieving a sustainable sport facility and operation of these sport courts, to ensure the longevity of this facility.

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world , and Harmony Gold Mines also supported Badirile school by providing the following educational facilities : A computer Centre, upgrading five of their laboratories, and providing a Business Centre, thereby assisting them with their education needs.

The Sports Trust believes that sustainable infrastructures and programmes are essential in leaving legacies behind in our communities and this partnership with Harmony Gold Mines has done just that by encouraging the youth from the area of Khutsong to continue to participate in sport.