Mpumalanga – Liberty Coal has announced its 2026 Community Upliftment Campaign, aimed at improving the lives of communities living near and working at Optimum Coal Mine.

Since Liberty Coal acquired the mine in 2024, the company’s primary focus has been on the significant capex expansion and refurbishment programme to ensure the mine returns to full operating capacity. While this process is underway, Liberty Coal remains deeply committed to the well-being of its host communities in the Steve Tshwete municipal region. The initiative is focused on providing immediate support and resources in the areas of education, health and youth empowerment and will be guided by four key pillars:

• School support and education
• Sport and youth development
• Health and wellness
• Community upliftment and access to basic needs

The campaign will kick off with a Back-to-School Programme, which will benefit schools located in communities surrounding the mine, with direct support to at least 500 pupils from low-income families. As part of the initiative, Liberty Coal will donate school supply packs including school shoes, uniforms, school bags and essential stationery to help learners start the academic year fully equipped with dignity and the tools they need to succeed.

“Education remains one of the most powerful drivers of long-term community development,” said Liberty Coal CEO Hlayiseka Chauke. “Through this programme, we want to ease the financial burden on families, support school readiness, and create an environment where learners can focus on learning rather than being hampered by the lack of basic resources.”

Alongside the Back-to-School Programme, Liberty Coal is introducing a Sports Development Initiative aimed at engaging local youth, promoting healthy lifestyles and fostering community pride through sport, leveraging South Africa’s deep passion for football.

As a first step, 3,000 footballs will be distributed to schools and youth clubs in the surrounding communities. In the coming months, the company will also donate soccer kits to aspiring young players to further support grassroots football development.

“The sports initiative is about more than just football,” added Chauke. “It is about keeping young people active, instilling discipline and teamwork, and creating positive outlets that build confidence and strengthen community cohesion.”

The Back-to-School and Sports Development Programme marks the first phase of a series of community projects currently in the pipeline. These future initiatives will not only seek to improve living conditions in surrounding communities, but also to ensure sustainable access to basic services and opportunities that support long-term development.

“Liberty Coal remains committed to being a responsible corporate citizen,” said Chauke. “Our aim is to create shared value over the long term by investing in education, youth, health and community upliftment, and by working alongside our host communities to build a more sustainable future.”

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