Buchter News » News From Rosh Pinah

Anglo Skorpion Foundation Funds Science Education

admin — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 18:30:30 +0000

A schools laboratory funded by the Anglo Skorpion Foundation has been set up at the Teachers Resource Centre in Keetmanshoop, which will offer a practical facility to school pupils from the high schools in the town and region to experience practical science experiments.
The trust was set up in 2008 by Anglo American and Skorpion mine as a way to make sure that financial assistance is available for long term development projects to benefit local communities.
The laboratory which will serve the four schools in Keetmanshoop and schools in Karasburg and Lüderitz is an idea that has come a long way and falls within the requirements of the Government’s ETSIP (Education and Training Sector Improvement Plan) which is being managed through the Teachers Resource Centre, where the laboratory is situated.
The General Manager of Skorpion Zinc and Chairperson of the Anglo Skorpion Foundation, Dave Bentley says the Foundation is committed to making a positive sustainable difference to the future of the disadvantaged communities and people of Namibia. The Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life, especially for those who are most vulnerable, by supporting programmes, projects and services, focused mainly on education, health and entrepreneurial and economic development projects like eco-tourism that can provide an income when the mines have closed.
Over the past two years, the Foundation has channeled N$5 million to various initiatives including the Principal Development Programme for the Karas Region, Mathematics Training for teachers; and the upgrading of buildings to create the southern campus of the Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology. This Schools Laboratory has been funded by the Foundation to the total of 250-thousand Namibia dollars this year.
The Anglo Skorpion Foundation considers the science laboratory important and that it will make a notable difference in providing quality science education. As one of the biggest mining companies Skorpion Zinc is famous for the way it mines. Its mining engineers and refinery experts have changed the zinc mine into one of the best, most efficient and cheapest manufacturing operations in the world by designing ways and machinery to get the zinc from out of the ground into the ship to be sold overseas.
“Our contribution of 250-thousand to this Schools Laboratory is not the biggest. But we believe it is important to acknowledge and support such projects to assist with the learning of tomorrow’s leaders. We want to believe that our money in educational projects will benefit Namibia by 2030,” Bentley said.
The 250-thousand dollar laboratory has been equipped with the best of learning tools and equipment that will allow pupils to experience in practice what the syllabus requires. A chemical reaction and a physics concept can now be experienced.
Interactivity is one of the foreseen objectives of the lab. By offering the scholars the opportunity to actively participate and contribute to the teaching process, for example by preparing special topics by themselves, by using the internet in its various forms, and by discussing specific literature, a simulation and preparation for their future professional life will be given.
The laboratory, will not only provide practical science education, but intends to play an important role in the process of re-claiming quality education. By bringing together tutors and scholars from various schools, all spending time together not only during the hours of lecturing, a unique opportunity for exchange of opinions and views will be given. Out of that, long-lasting contacts and even friendships will be created, says the Deputy Director of Education Celie Mostert.
The Manager of the Anglo Skorpion Foundation, Christo Witbooi, urged pupils to take that investment seriously. “Have fun, learn, grow and be a true citizen of this world we live in. Also to the Regional Directorate and teachers in all the schools, a very big thank you for all the hard work you devote into making sure that Namibia’s future is ensured. Skorpion Zinc is a proud player in Making the Right Things Happen and the Foundation will pledge its continued commitment to Caring for Today, by Investing in Tomorrow.

For further enquiries:

Eve Black
Communications Manager
Skorpion Zinc
eblack@skorpionzinc.com.na
Tel: 063 -2712504 / 0811485323

SZ hosts successful Safety Week

admin — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:02:39 +0000

“We are all safety leaders in action”

The first Safety Week was hosted on site, which is a first for Namibia. Skorpion Knights together with Soccer Icon Lolo Goraseb, Keetmanshoop youth entertainers Ghetto Fabulous, safety & risk Officers, management & contractors deliberated a number of concepts under the theme SCORE SAFETY, as part of the World Cup Soccer hype.

Presentations, motivational talks on teamwork by Lolo Goraseb who shared some of his experiences as Brave Warriors player and team captain of league stars Black Africa, music and dance, plant inspections, safety awards and recognition, appointment of SHEQ Reps and meeting the community were all part of the hard work and fun during the successful SAFETY WEEK 2010.

Safety was the core focus, but the environment and safety as well as the wellness activities was emphasised. An unsightly scene on Wednesday morning greeted employees as they walked along the litter corridor to go through the entrance. A visit to the bird pond also saw the issues of biodiversity and habitat feature in the need to preserve our working and living environment for a safer world.

During the opening, the Acting GM Johan Coetzee welcomed delegates, noting that there has been a notable improvement in safety performance. A quick exercise however revealed that most employees believe they will stay out of harm’s way but this would not necessarily apply to fellow colleagues. “It is imperative that we practice being our brother’s keeper and we work with a zero harm mindset. The correct tools for tasks, 30 second risk assessments will ensure zero harm,” he cautioned.

Coetzee stressed that if all 1500 people on site keep a watch out it means 3000 eyes watching out for safety. Together with the red day green day exercise, and the fact that every action will mean safeguarding a life, would mean a new attitude and confidence in relation to safety.

The mining manager Chris Bessinger in his presentation on practical environment management in mining, noted that SZ’s product is sold on the worldwide market. “As such our products must be recognized as environmentally conducive. We should make sure that water and paper consumption at the mine is kept to a minimum, as destroying the world, does not make it safe,” said Chris Bessinger.

SKORPION ZINC SAFETY WEEK: A FIRST

admin — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 17:00:49 +0000

Skorpion Zinc will run a week long Safety Campaign starting the 15th of February 2010. This will be a first for Skorpion and a first for Namibia. The theme for the Safety Week: SCORE SAFETY parallels the current excitement and soccer vibe Africa is having on holding the first Soccer World Cup tournament in South Africa.
The Safety Week will be marked by a lot of innovative and entertaining activities which are aimed to elevate the Organizational Safety Culture. All employees will be participating in the activities which will result in various individual, group or team prizes being won. During the Safety Week all employees will reflect on experiences and lessons learnt in 2009. Inspirational thematic sessions will also be held on identifying ways to inspire a culture of performance so as to develop the ideal workplace and to make Skorpion the EMPLOYER OF CHOICE.
Another topical session which will be extensively discussed and forming the backbone of Behavior Based Safety Programmes involves using Reward and Recognition programmes to drive safe behaviour at the work place. It is envisaged that through the implementation of such programmes employee participation in implementing and owning the Company Safety, Health and Environmental Programmes will be increased.
The General Manager is expected to award floating trophy’s to the Best Safety Practises.
The final event which will be a culmination of reflecting the 2009 Safety Journey will result in the 2nd annual Safety Summit for Skorpion. At this event, Skorpion Knights, representing all areas of business, will come together to identify, discuss and propose solutions to improve on safety performance. The information obtained from the Summit will be used to set up a 2010 Safety Improvement Plan to achieve our vision of Zero Harm.
As part of the safety drive at Skorpion, initiatives and ideas are being invited to improve safety at the mine. The competition started last year and the final best submission will be announced at the end of May. The winning Safety entry stands a chance to win a ticket for two to a World Cup in Cape Town.

Skorpion Zinc invests in Future

admin — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 16:59:11 +0000

Winning the war for talent by re-skilling the workforce, sourcing new talent, developing change agents and creating a human capital strategy is a key focus area for Skorpion Zinc mine, an integrated world-class mining and refinery operation located near the southern town of Rosh Pinah.
Open cast mining and hydrometallurgical techniques are used to mine and refine zinc oxide to produce Special High Grade Zinc. To do this Skorpion Zinc combines state-of-the-art technologies with the skills of a highly motivated workforce. As part of its development programme, the company has launched key internal and external development programmes preparing individuals at various levels for future technical and leadership positions.
This year, Skorpion Zinc has awarded five new full scholarships for 2010 in the disciplines of Geology; Mining, Chemical, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering; Metallurgy and Mine Surveying. It has also bonded three final year students. Since the mine started with its bursary scheme, it has sponsored 23 fulltime Namibian bursary students who took up technical courses at internationally accredited universities, of which five students have now completed their studies. During 2010 Skorpion Zinc will sponsor 26 students at university at a cost of more than N$2million for its bursary programme, while more than 13 qualified graduates on trainee programmes have been accommodated in the system.
Two of these bursaries are awarded to residents from the Karas Region after great attempts to get pupils from the region. Three of the bursars are from the Khomas Region, one from Ohangwena while the other two are from Omusati Region.
The bursary scheme covers all costs of tuition, accommodation, text books, pocket money, travel allowances, meals, medical aid, study permits and a computer as from second year. This means a total of 26 students will be sponsored in 2010.

The total cost for the bursary programme amounted to N$2 million dollars last year. Of last year’s group, five students were in their final year. SZ provides paid vacation work and covers related transport costs, meals and accommodation during this time which is an estimated N$600 000.

Students receive challenging projects to complete and presents to EXCO before returning to South Africa in January 2010.

ANGLO-SKORPION FOUNDATION SUPPORTS PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN BIG WAY

admin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 11:35:25 +0000

Skorpion Zinc Mine through the Anglo-Skorpion Foundation has contributed 600-thousand Namibia dollars to a programme to develop school principals in the Karas Region. The Faculty of Education of the University of Johannesburg is actively involved with the development of school principals in Namibia, through the delivery
participants from the Erongoof an ACE-qualification in School Management and Leadership in Namibia. The programme is jointly sponsored by the FNB-Namibia Foundation, the Rössing Foundation, the Pupkewitz Foundation) and administered by the Namibian Personal Development Institute (NPDI). Currently there are 32 principals from the Karas region, 28 region which includes 5 from Kunene and 5 from Oshana enrolled for the programme. The project is a joint initiative with Etsip, the Government’s National Education Improvement programme. A memorandum of agreement is in place, guaranteeing Etsip’s support and the initial phase of this program is 5 years. The success of such an initiative is dependent on the ability of the University to offer a programme of continuous input, output and support, which is being done through the involvement of local strategic partners. The Windhoek College of Education has been harnessed as the strategic associate in Namibia, in order to assist with support, network learning and on-site activity validation. A Research project has also been designed in order to determine the success of the program in Namibia. This research project will focus on the ecology of practice and the role of the principal as key-stone species and mentor for the development of effective education practice in Namibia. NPDI is involved, in association with NMI (Namibian Math Institute), with various training projects for Mathematics teachers. According to the project, experience has showed that one of the biggest challenges that a typical Math teacher in the programmes faces is a principal (management) that do not support the teacher. Therefore the aim is to merge this project with other in-service training programs, such as the Mathematics upgrading program. This degree programme by the University makes it possible for the principal to be involved in a two year course aimed at improved management and leadership. Skorpion has dedicated themselves to support this project for four years, with the possibility to extend it for an additional two years.

SHOWS IN THE SOUTH

admin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 11:25:03 +0000

Show season has started in Namibia following the holding of the Rosh Pinah Expo 2009 and the Luderitz SME Expo 2009, earlier this month. The exposition in Rosh Pinah is a stand-alone event held for the third year in a row, while the one in Luderitz formed part of the annual Crayfish Festival, first held last year. Both events attracted a high number of exhibitors and visitors, providing new business opportunities for local entrepreneurs. The Rosh Pinah Expo attracted a far larger number of exhibitors as the event’s focus was on business promotion. The event in Luderitz was more general in nature with numerous side events that consequently diluted opportunities for business. A talent show, organized as a side event to the Rosh Pinah Expo, proved a hit with 16 budding artists and bands from Luderitz, Keetmanshoop and Rosh Pinah participating. The two local mines, Skorpion Zinc and Exxaro Rosh Pinah Zinc Corporation, provided prize money totaling N$15,000. In addition the mines sponsored two performances by the ever popular local musician, Whani Jansen. The mines also provided a sound system and the stage. The talent show is set to a regular feature at the annual Rosh Pinah Expo. A cross section of young and old from across the racial divide entered the contest including a band that featured the general manager of Skorpion Zinc, Dave Bentley. Artists had the audience, again a good mix of diverse age and race, on their feet singing and dancing until late into the night. The overall winner of the Rosh Pinah talent contest, who scooped the N$7,000 first prize, was Luderitz based hip-hop artist, Vincent Simphiwe Mjethu. He is known by the stage name, Squeeze. At the two southern shows organized by SMEs Compete, local exhibitors were joined by entrepreneurs from other towns around the country wishing to open new markets in the south. Their participation was sponsored by First National Bank and Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst, the German development service. SMEs Compete will organize and manage 15 expositions around Namibia this year. All the events are specifically aimed at helping small and medium enterprises (SMEs) gain access to wider markets around Namibia.