August 4 2023
Anglo American on Friday handed over its 45 Main Street building, which is situated in Johannesburg’s inner city central business district (CBD), to the Maharishi Invincibility Institute, a non-profit private education institution dedicated to empowering underprivileged youth in the inner city and surrounds.
The building, which forms part of the mining group’s former Johannesburg CBD Campus, allows it to continue to have influence in the city. Anglo moved its head office to a Growthpoint owned Rosebank building in 2021.
The handover took place in front of media and guests.
Maharishi will be able to support up 3,000 youth – more than doubling the number of students it can support. The Institute focuses on access to on-the-job training for students and actively works to help graduates secure sustainable jobs at some of the country’s large companies.
“Education and training are integral to Anglo American’s Sustainable Mining Plan, which commits the company to a holistic range of ambitious goals that are shaping how our stakeholders experience our business. These include how we can best create Thriving Communities by focusing on better health, education, and employment opportunities,” Anglo said.
Nolitha Fakude, Chairman of Anglo American’s Management Board, said Anglo believed that Johannesburg’s inner-city regeneration hinged on nurturing the potential of its young people, who represent the city’s future.
“The Maharishi Invincibility Institute has emerged as a driving force in paving pathways to opportunities for thousands of young people in the inner city, and it fills us with great pride to entrust them with the custodianship of the iconic 45 Main Street, a building that holds deep historical significance in Johannesburg’s evolution,” she said.
“This coalition serves as a powerful catalyst for change, fostering synergy among like-minded organisations, pooling their collective expertise, resources, and insights to forge a cohesive and actionable blueprint for the city’s rejuvenation,” she said.
Since its inception in 2007, the Maharishi Invincibility Institute has offered critical skills training to more than 19,000 youth, most of who were young black women with a 90%+ job placement rate.
Dr Taddy Blecher, CEO and founder of the Maharishi Invincibility Institute, said Friday was the best day of his life and the best day for the institute.
“Our relationship with Anglo American is longstanding and has evolved over the decades, growing from strength to strength. This is a company that has always understood the importance of investing in the next generation and continues to take its role in catalysing meaningful societal change very seriously,” he said.
“Through the donation of 45 Main Street, the Institute will continue to further its mission of developing a new generation of competent leaders right here in Johannesburg’s inner-city,” he said.
Anglo American is exploring possibilities for the adaptive use of the rest of its historic Johannesburg CBD Campus, with several potential partners and collaborators involved to help develop the campus into a mixed-use and vibrant precinct.
“When we look at the immense challenges that cities like Johannesburg face, they often mirror the challenges of our entire nation. As responsible corporate citizens, our duty goes beyond simply pointing out problems; we must actively engage and contribute to the solutions. That’s the driving force behind the formation of the Johannesburg CBD Coalition. All of its members wholeheartedly recognise the scale of challenges that the inner city faces, including crime, inadequate infrastructure, rampant unemployment, and limited socio-economic opportunities,” said Themba Mkhwanazi, Anglo American’s Regional Director for Africa and Australia.
It’s truly inspiring to see the Maharishi Invincibility Institute and other organisations joining hands with us, ready to roll up their sleeves and work together.
alistair@propertyflash.co.za