{"id":295,"date":"2025-06-16T17:00:35","date_gmt":"2025-06-16T17:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xxplore.co.za\/?p=295"},"modified":"2026-05-19T04:02:42","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T04:02:42","slug":"exxaro-empowers-ganala-entrepreneurs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xxplore.co.za\/index.php\/2025\/06\/16\/exxaro-empowers-ganala-entrepreneurs\/","title":{"rendered":"Exxaro empowers GaNala entrepreneurs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Exxaro empowers GaNala entrepreneurs with <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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b<\/span>u<\/span>s<\/span>i<\/span>n<\/span>e<\/span>s<\/span>s<\/span> s<\/span>u<\/span>p<\/span>p<\/span>o<\/span>r<\/span>t<\/span> e<\/span>q<\/span>u<\/span>i<\/span>p<\/span>m<\/span>e<\/span>n<\/span>t<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/h4>\n <\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Efforts to diversify GaNala\u2019s mine-dependent economy begin with empowering youth-owned businesses, which serve as the emerging backbone of local resilience and long-term economic transformation.<\/p>\n

Matla Coal reaffirmed its commitment to local business empowerment by donating essential business support equipment to two emerging enterprises. These businesses were selected as winners of a funding readiness and compliance workshop aimed at building the capacity of young entrepreneurs in GaNala.<\/p>\n

The handover events on 16 April 2025 were moments of celebration for young entrepreneurs in Thubelihle and Rietspruit. In Thubelihle, Nana\u2019s Funeral Home, a trusted community service provider, received event d\u00e9cor and chairs to improve the dignity and quality of its services.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Owner Nana Skosana expressed gratitude, saying, \u201cI would like to thank Exxaro Matla Coal for their support to the Thubelihle community. Now our burials will have dignity.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

In Rietspruit, the spotlight fell on 25-year-old Banele Mashifane, a determined entrepreneur who runs a car wash business. He received car wash equipment and a JOJO tank to ensure water availability - critical tools that will help him grow his enterprise and create local employment.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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\u201cThank you to Exxaro for the support,\u201d<\/strong> said Mashifane. \u201cThis is going to help us grow as young people. We will also beat unemployment and stand on our own.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

The initiative supports Exxaro\u2019s Social Impact Strategy, which aims to strengthen the sustainability of SMMEs in host communities, with a focus on empowering previously disadvantaged individuals - especially women and youth.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Lorainne Mofokeng, Stakeholder Management Manager at Exxaro Matla Coal, expressed optimism about the future of youth-led businesses: \u201cWe are excited to see young people doing things for themselves, and we hope others will be inspired. As Exxaro, we are also encouraged to continue the work we do - and we will keep doing it.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Beyond material donations, this support represents a step toward building more self-reliant communities. For businesses like Nana\u2019s Funeral Home and Mashifane\u2019s Car Wash, the new equipment opens opportunities to improve services, expand operations, and contribute meaningfully to local economic resilience.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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<\/span><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Efforts to diversify GaNala\u2019s mine-dependent economy begin with empowering youth-owned businesses.<\/p>\n

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