Jagersfontein, Itumeleng, Charlesville, and surrounding farming areas
A HISTORIC DIAMOND mining town in the south western Free State town of Jagersfontein is home to the ITUMELENG COMMUNITY TRUST. It has been established by Jagersfontein Developments (Pty) Ltd, the company responsible for recovering diamonds from the surface dumps at the former Jagersfontein Diamond Mine.
One of the goals of the Trust is to develop and empower the communities of Jagersfontein, Itumeleng, Charlesville, and surrounding farming areas by creating a platform – in partnership with the Rupert Foundation and the University of the Free State – for improving the education of children in the target area.
As in other deprived rural areas, many members of the local community have low levels of self-esteem. The Trust envisions engaging with the community to find ways of giving them a new sense of self-worth. This will enable them to function as more responsible citizens and parents, thus enhancing the educational prospects and therefore the life chances of their children.
The Trust currently manages a skills training programme, a community recycling project, a food parcel distribution project, three educational projects, and several sports initiatives. It has also established a small project fund, which enables local trustees to rapidly support local organisations and initiatives.
To develop and empower the communities of Jagersfontein, Itumeleng, Charlesville and the surrounding farming areas by means of public benefit activities and interventions in an independent manner and through good corporate governance, with the integrity of the Trust and the interests of the communities of these three areas reigning supreme.
From early childhood development to student bursaries and more. See community upliftment in action.
See current community projects managed by the trust here..