Improving education in South Africa

Near our operations in South Africa’s Mpumalanga Province, a state-of-the-art Maths, Science and Technology Academy is helping teachers and students improve their skills in these important areas.

The Academy aims to address the shortage of qualified teachers in maths, science and technology fields, improve outdated teaching practices, lift student participation and pass rates in relating subjects, and develop the country’s engineers, geologists, metallurgists and IT professionals of the future.

South32 contributed more than R100 million to the construction and fit out of the facility, and officially presented it to South Africa’s Department of Basic Education in October 2017.

President and Chief Operating Officer for our Africa Region, Mike Fraser, said that education, particularly in the areas of maths and science, remained a challenge for the country.

“We know that advances in these areas will provide opportunities to better the lives of millions of people and we’re proud that our collaborative approach with government and the community has resulted in this important facility,” Mike said.

“We believe this is an excellent example of what’s possible when partnering with our stakeholders to address the socio-economic challenges facing South Africa.”

The Academy is equipped with technology and multimedia centres, and advanced mathematics and science laboratories. It also transmits studio recorded video lessons to schools in the province, reaching about ten thousand students every year.