Kumba celebrates SHE and Memorial Day
THABAZIMBI – On Thursday 1 October 2009 Kumba Iron Ore, Thabazimbi Mine celebrated SHE and Memorial Day.
The day started on a high note with tae-bo in the morning to warm up everyone for the day filled with activities.
The General Manager of Kumba Thabazimbi Mine Mr Emmy Leeka officially opened the event by welcoming all the guests who included the president of NUM Mr Senzeni Zokwane, the NUM regional chairperson Mr Lazarus Ditshwene as well as the Mr Lee McMaster from Solidarity. Emmy Leeka emphasised in his speech the importance of Safety on the mine also honouring the employees that lost their lives on the mine. He went on to congratulate the employees for the safety achievements in 2009 , achieving 6000 Fatal Free Production Shifts in April, reaching 7 years without a fatality in July and accomplishing 2 years Lost Time Injury Free in September.
Mr Zokwane gave praise to Kumba Thabazimbi Mine for making safety, health and the environment a priority, furthermore commended Anglo American Group CEO Cynthia Carroll for taking a bold step of making safety part of the corporate agenda. He advised the Thabazimbi Mine employees to take better care of themselves, by taking advantages of some of the programmes such as the VCT programme which Thabazimbi mine offers. Mr McMaster echoed the same sentiments as Mr Zokwane.
After the speeches everyone proceeded to the memorial wall where the General Manager, Mr Emmy Leeka and the Kumba Thabazimbi Management Team lit candles in memory of the fallen employees, everybody observing a moment of silence. Thereafter mr Emmy Leeka, the Management Team, Mr Zokwane, Mr Ditshwene and Solidarity representative made a pledge for Safety by putting a handprint and signing next to it.
Different departments had display stalls where they held small competitions and lots of prizes were won. External companies such as CANSA, Calibre, AA, Limpopo University Oral and Dental Prevention Programme and the Department of Transport also took part in the exhibition. The entertainment was provided by Mohutsi Music Production, Diphalana, Bokamoso Cultural group, Dinaka, Slalamina Group and the main act was a local artist named Lolo.