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Ithabeleng Food Services is the empowerment company responsible for the effective running of the canteens at Implats’ Rustenburg operations. The closed corporation was formed in 2006 when Implats Minpro decided to outsource the running of the canteen in order to improve the service.

Maletsatsi Sekgome, Manager and Owner of Ithabeleng Food Services, has worked at Implats for most of her life, having started working there in 1975 as a gardener. The following year she was moved to the lamp house as a supervisor and, in 1992, she joined the canteen staff, initially as a cashier and later as manager.

In October 2006, when Implats decided to outsource the canteen services, Maletsatsi was awarded the tender and started operating the Minpro canteen, renaming it Maletsatsi’s Kitchen.

Today, Ithabeleng Food Services runs the tuck shops at selected Impala shafts, the main canteen, as well as Maletsatsi’s Kitchen at Minpro and has a staff complement of approximately 50. Maletsatsi has retained most of Implats’ employees and the rest come from the neighbouring Luka, Kanana and Phokeng communities.

“Maletsatsi was selected for her hard work and experience... At Impala we believe that it is our responsibility to support our employees in bettering their lives. We reward hard work,” said Annah Kgaswane, Sustainable Development Manager at Implats.

In conclusion, Annah said that ‘Implats makes sure that empowerment happens at its best”.

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