Kumba Iron Ore’s Women in Mining donates to Sprout Academy in Kathu

KUMBA Iron Ore’s Women in Mining (WiM) initiative has delivered a comprehensive donation of office supplies and hygiene products to Sprout Academy, an assisted‑learning centre for children with special educational needs and disabilities in Kathu.

Established in 2022, the academy currently supports 33 neurodiverse learners with tailored, community‑based programmes designed to foster development in a specialised environment.

Plant Services Section Manager and WiM member Magdali Burger explained the motivation behind the contribution: “Over one billion people worldwide live with a disability. Raising awareness and educating communities about disability is essential to break stereotypes and promote inclusivity.

"Extending our core values of Care and Respect to the learners and staff at Sprout Academy is a source of pride for Women in Mining. We hope this gesture will benefit the learners and contribute to the academy’s success.”

The donation, which includes essential items such as toilet paper, stationery and other classroom resources, addresses a critical funding gap for Sprout Academy. Because the school relies almost entirely on tuition fees to cover salaries, budgeting for everyday essentials is often impossible.

Academy management expressed gratitude, noting that the support will directly assist learners from less‑privileged households and strengthen the academy’s operational capacity.

“This contribution has helped our school in many ways,” said a spokesperson for Sprout Academy. “We thank WiM and Kumba Iron Ore for their generous support and look forward to a long, fruitful and sustainable partnership.”