31 August 2023

“The 100 Days’ Challenge is a collaborative and an implementation capacity building programme derived from the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for the elimination of Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) nationally. It provides a new way of accelerating the NSP and creates an opportunity for the multi-sectoral collaborators to translate the NPS’s six pillars into action and deliver results in a localised setting.

In September 2021, Minerals Council Women in Mining (WiM) was approached by the office of the Presidency and the Programme ambassadors with the request to collaborate in replicating the programme in the mining sector with Minerals Council member companies. Exxaro expressed interest in having the programme piloted at their operations, with a specific focus on the objective of tackling GBVF at the mines. WiM champions at the following Exxaro operations; Belfast, Gauteng Corporate office, Grootegeluk, Leeuwpan, FerroAlloys and Matla. Each of the WiM teams at the respective operations embarked on a process of discovery to identify the challenges faced by the respective operations relating to GBVF. What ensued were diverse strategies, actions and programmes which included staff members, members of the communities, the South African Police Services, NGO’s, schools and Faith Based organisations. In each of these campaigns, men were included to drive the actions and an innovative multi-faceted approach was adopted across the board. The following is an innovative series developed by the Matla Team that depicts the multi-faceted nature of GBV and how it impacts staff (men and women), families, the community, and production at the mining operation.

Thank you to the Exxaro senior management, and the WiM champions at the various operations for your dedication, partnership, and innovative actions to tackle the scourge of GBVF in the sector and in Society.”