Anglo American has given away its iconic Johannesburg building to Maharishi Invincibility Institute in effort to empower underprivileged youth in and around the central business district.
The 45 Main Street building will now be used for the education and training of youth to develop scarce skills and preparation for the work environment.
The donation has grown the capacity of Maharishi Invincibility Institute, a non-profit private education institution, to assisting more at least 3000 youth.
Anglo American’s Regional Director for Africa and Australia, Themba Mkhwanazi, said the Johannesburg CBD Coaliation was formed to tackle challenges faced in the inner city. This includes crime, inadequate infrastructure, skyrocketing unemployment rate and limited socio-economic opportunities – amongst others.
He said they were concerned about reshaping Johannesburg’s CBD and the best way they thought of was to gift it to the youth, who they expect to drive positive change in society.
“This collaboration is not just about uplifting the inner city but it is equally focused on stimulating socio-economic development and tackling the youth unemployment crisis.
“Together, we aim to create a better future, where the inner-city becomes safer, thriving, empowering place for all its residents, particularly its young people, brimming with opportunities for growth and prosperity.”
Nolitha Fakude, Chairperson of Anglo American’s Management Board, said the institution was promising enough to help build the inner-city that inspired positivity.
“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.
“This coalition serves as a powerful catalyst for change, fostering synergy among like-minded organisatios, pooling their collective expertise, resources, and insights to forge a cohesive and actionable blueprint for the city’s rejuvenation,” said Fakude.
Fakude said they were confident in the institution because they have offered over 19 000 youth, mostly young black women, critical skills and over 90 percent job placement.
Teddy Blecher, Maharishi Invincibility Institute CEO, said it was an honour to be given the old Anglo American Johannesburg CBD Campus to make the best of it and improve it into a vibrant precinct.
He said they understood the assignment, that the future is all about helping the youth develop needed and scarce skills, most importantly giving them jobs to also feed their families during this raving unemployment times.
“This [Anglo American] 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.
“Through our intense focus on getting youth into quality jobs, based on scarce-skills development, and on doing this in a holistic and sustainable way, we truly believe that if more companies, oganisations, and the government come together to tackle the city’s challenges, we can help secure a more productive future for all,” said Blencher.
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