MCM, CEDA sign MoU to strengthen citizen participation in mining

Morupule Coal Mine and CEDA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) placing citizen economic empowerment at the heart of the mining value chain.

Speaking at the Gaborone signing, MCM CEO Mr Edwin Elias pointed to results already delivered through the mine's Citizen Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development Programme: over P1 billion in cumulative spend directed to citizen owned enterprises, citizen procurement lifted from 29% to 53%, and 2,550 jobs sustained.

CEDA CEO Mr Khalala Mokefane said the partnership's approach is straightforward: capacitate first, then finance, building businesses that are ready for funding, contracts and growth.

CEDA brings its financing capability and enterprise development experience, while MCM brings market opportunities, industry knowledge and a supply chain through which citizen enterprises can grow.

Together the two institutions will extend supplier capacitation, unlock opportunities in agribusiness and manufacturing, and open access to long term capital, including a planned cluster vegetable farm to develop young agri entrepreneurs.

"The true measure of this partnership will not be the MoU itself, but what happens after today," said Mr Mokefane. "This MoU is our commitment to you, made concrete," added Mr Elias.