Mining giant Glencore Ferroalloys and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) officially handed over the fully equipped Dilokong Thuthuzela Care Centre to the Ga-Maroga community in Limpopo as part of efforts to combat gender-based violence (GBV).

The new centre will offer victims of abuse services and assistance in the form of medical assistance and treatment, access to an investigating officer, counselling, transportation, court preparation and updates from a case manager.

Glencore Ferroalloys has invested R5.5-million towards the initiative.

Glencore Ferroalloys CEO Japie Fullard said it was inspired to partner with the NPA owing to its resilience and efforts in the fight against GBV.

“It is indeed an honour to be here today to officially hand over the fully equipped Dilokong Thuthuzela Care and it is our desire for it to become a beacon of hope, care, comfort, safety and security for victims of GBV,” he said..

In ensuring that the care centre meets all the required standards to effectively support victims of abuse in need of help, Glencore partnered with the Sexual Offences and Community Affairs Unit of the NPA, the Department of Health, the Department of Social Development, and the South African Police Services.

Fullard said Glencore Ferroalloys hoped to help government address some of the major socio-economic issues facing the communities around its operations.

As a result, Glencore has upgraded other care centres in the North-West and Mpumalanga Provinces.

"We will continue to raise awareness on the hyperendemic, since we recognise the plight of victims of GBV within the communities around us. Strategic partnerships between government and the private sector enable fulfilling the objectives outlined in the pillars of the National Strategic Plan on GBV. We call on members of the Ga-Maroga and surrounding communities to make full use of the services available at this first-of-its-kind centre. Together we can and we will continue this fight against GBV,” said Fullard.

Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha thanked Glencore for taking the initiative to assist the community with its needs.

“As government, we appreciate the support and partnership with Glencore in the fight against GBV, for there is no doubt that violence against women and children remains a pandemic of unequal proportions in our society. For as long as we still have GBV, we are not free as a country because GBV impacts all of us. It is our task as individuals to become activists and fight this war together. Through this partnership, Glencore has shown responsible corporate social investment, and we believe that together we can achieve much more,” he said.