The Welkom Digital Hub, a partnership between the Mineworkers Development Agency (MDA), Sibanye-Stillwater, and Rand Mutual Assurance, officially opened its doors on Friday.

The hub aims to equip community members with digital and Artificial Intelligence skills, empowering youth and women from mining towns to create sustainable jobs and small businesses within the mining sector.

The hub marked a significant milestone by training and employing 100 young people in its first cohort, whose graduation was celebrated at the launch.

Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, led the launch, describing it as a major step toward sustainable development that benefits both former mineworkers and the broader South African society.

In his keynote address, Mantashe said the establishment of the hub underscores the MDA’s commitment to community empowerment and economic growth.

Reflecting on his experience as a veteran of the 1987 mineworkers strike, Mantashe emphasized the importance of initiatives like the hub in transforming the mining industry.

He also highlighted progress in promoting women, noting that over 78,000 women are now employed in the sector, including in leadership positions.

“The launch of this digital hub, along with the Marikana Agri-Hub launched in 2023, is deeply encouraging. These initiatives not only promote life after mining but also give practical meaning to the MDA’s vision of sustainable development – for mineworkers and the broader South African society,” said Mantashe. “Today as we stand here, the continued existence and growth of the MDA gives me confidence that the sacrifices of those mineworkers are not in vain, Mantashe said.

He concluded by commending the MDA for bringing real transformation to South Africa’s