Mining Leaders Invest in Digital Future for Welkom: Interview With Mineworkers Development Agency

Mining Leaders Invest in Digital Future for Welkom: Interview With Mineworkers Development Agency. The launch of the new Digital and SMME Hub in Welkom has marked a defining moment for South Africa’s mining communities, signalling a shift toward a more inclusive and innovation driven local economy. Built through a unique collaboration between the Mineworkers Development Agency, Rand Mutual Assurance, Sibanye Stillwater, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, and the Matjhabeng Local Municipality, the Hub aims to open new pathways for digital access, skills development, and small business growth in the heart of the Free State’s mining belt. In this interview, we sit down with the Mineworkers Development Agency (MDA) to unpack its role in shaping this ambitious initiative and to explore how catalytic partnerships can unlock long term impact in mining regions. As the sector faces rising expectations around sustainability, community development, and economic diversification, the Hub stands out as a model for how stakeholders can work together to build resilient local economies. Our conversation delves into the vision behind the project, the opportunities it presents for entrepreneurs, and how digital transformation is redefining the future of mining communities across South Africa. Read all about it below!

What inspired the establishment of the Digital and SMME Hub, and why was Welkom selected as its location?

The Digital and SMME Hub was conceived as a catalytic intervention to respond to the socio economic challenges facing communities in and around Matjhabeng as mining activity reduced in the region, and shafts reach the end of their life, the economic options available to former mineworkers and their families narrow considerably. The hub provides a strategic response that introduces new skills, new industries, and new forms of economic participation, ensuring that the community is not left behind in a rapidly changing labour market. Welkom was chosen because of its accessibility, its central role in the regional mining economy, and its potential to become a springboard for innovation and enterprise development. It is a community with immense latent potential that, with the right infrastructure and programmes, can pivot towards new opportunities in technology, agriculture, and small business development.

How does this hub align with MDA’s evolving mandate from post mining support to long term regional development?

The MDA has historically focused on supporting mineworkers after retrenchment, providing immediate relief and short term assistance. The Digital and SMME Hub represents the next evolution of that mandate. It shifts the model from short term interventions to long term regional capacity building, where former mineworkers, their families, and the broader community are equipped with digital competencies, entrepreneurial skills, and exposure to future facing industries. This positions the MDA as an enabler of regional regeneration, not only addressing the aftermath of mine closures but also actively contributing to building new economic systems that are sustainable beyond mining.

Could you walk us through the main digital skills and 4IR programmes offered at the hub?

The hub offers a comprehensive suite of programmes designed to build a pipeline of digitally capable youth and small businesses.The hub offers a comprehensive suite of programmes aligned with 4IR needs, including:

• Digital literacy and coding
• Robotics and electronics
• Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals delivered through Cisco NetAcad using IBM tools
• Drone operations
• Machine learning and data processing
• Introduction to IoT
• Virtual reality training modules in areas such as safety, beekeeping, and professional skills

These programmes combine theory, practical demonstrations, and immersive learning through the 4IR Demo Room.

How were RMA, Sibanye Stillwater, and the DMRE involved in bringing this project to life?

The project is the result of a strong multi stakeholder partnership anchored in a shared commitment to sustainable community development. Sibanye Stillwater invested in the digital infrastructure, physical development, and capability building elements that transformed the site into a functional hub. The MDA led programme design and community engagement, ensuring alignment to local needs. RMA contributed through its focus on enterprise development and digital upskilling for former mineworkers as part of its broader social mandate. The DMRE provided oversight, policy alignment, and support through the social compact between industry, labour, and government. This collaboration ensured that the project moves from concept to delivery, with each partner contributing expertise and resources.

What role did the Matjhabeng Local Municipality play in shaping the hub’s design and purpose?

The municipality played a central role in ensuring that the project aligns with local development priorities and planning frameworks. It provided access to the site, supported regulatory approvals, and offered guidance on community needs and spatial alignment. The municipality also contributed to the design ethos of creating a modern, accessible, and community centred space that encourages foot traffic, activation, and entrepreneurship. The hub supports Matjhabeng’s broader vision of transforming into a future metro with a strong innovation and investment profile.

The hub is positioned as a catalyst for entrepreneurship. What specific support does it provide to SMMEs?

The hub provides end to end support for SMMEs, ensuring that entrepreneurs can move from ideation to market entry with confidence. Services include business mentorship, incubation and acceleration programmes, co working spaces, digital tools and Wi Fi access, product development guidance, skills development in financial management and business operations, market linkages, and preparation for procurement opportunities. SMMEs also benefit from trading pods located at the hub, which give them a physical presence to sell products and offer services directly to customers. This holistic ecosystem is designed to produce enterprises that can scale, compete, and contribute meaningfully to the regional economy.

Three small businesses are already operating from the hub — can you tell us more about their progress and impact so far?

The three enterprises operating from the hub have demonstrated the immediate potential of the facility.

• The LPG gas enterprise is supporting the transition to cleaner, safer household energy solutions while creating direct income opportunities.
• The community internet service provider is expanding digital connectivity for local households and businesses, bridging the digital divide that remains a barrier for many rural towns.
• The farmhouse outlet is providing fresh produce sourced through the nearby Agri Hub, strengthening local food systems and ensuring that residents have access to nutritious, chemical free vegetables and eggs. These enterprises illustrate how the hub is simultaneously addressing economic inclusion, food security, and technology access.

How does the hub ensure inclusivity for women, youth, and persons with disabilities?

Inclusivity is embedded in the programme design, infrastructure, and operational model. The hub is fully accessible, featuring ramps, wide pathways, and secure facilities that create a safe environment for all users. Training programmes prioritise women, youth, and persons with disabilities through targeted outreach, dedicated slots in courses, and customised support. Many of the digital skills programmes offer pathways that accommodate different physical abilities, ensuring that persons with disabilities are not excluded from future work opportunities. The hub’s vision is to empower groups that are often underrepresented in high growth industries.

Can you share insights into the VR based training programmes and how innovative tools like robotics and drone technology are being used?

Virtual reality provides immersive, experiential learning environments that allow participants to practise new skills in a safe, controlled, and engaging way. Modules include beekeeping, health and safety scenarios, and professional skills development. Robotics kits expose learners to the fundamentals of automation, circuitry, and problem solving. Drone technology is used to teach aerial survey methods, mapping techniques, and remote sensing applications that are becoming increasingly important in sectors such as agriculture, security, and environmental monitoring. These tools ensure that learners understand both the theoretical and practical dimensions of modern technology.

With 60 young people already trained in accredited programmes, what outcomes or success stories can you highlight?

The first cohort of 60 young people has completed internationally accredited AI and digital skills programmes through Cisco NetAcad and IBM SkillsBuild. Many of these participants have progressed into micro enterprises offering digital services, drone based support, or tech enabled products. Others have taken up freelance roles in coding, graphics, and basic IT support. A number of learners have also returned to the hub as facilitators, reflecting their confidence and mastery of the content. The most significant outcome is the shift in mindset, with participants expressing a renewed sense of possibility and ambition for their futures.

How does the project align with the goals of the South African Digital Economy Masterplan?

The hub advances several pillars of the Digital Economy Masterplan, including widening digital inclusion, increasing 4IR adoption in underserved regions, strengthening digital skills pipelines, and enabling the growth of local tech enabled enterprises. The initiative supports national priorities by positioning communities for industrialisation, innovation, and participation in the modern economy. It also contributes to the goal of creating globally competitive digital talent within South Africa.

What long term economic and social impact do you envision this hub having on the Matjhabeng region and former mineworker communities?

In the long term, the hub is expected to generate new forms of employment, stimulate local enterprises, and strengthen resilience in communities that were previously dependent on mining. It will support food security through linked agricultural initiatives, increase household incomes, and foster a culture of innovation and self sufficiency. Socially, as communities become more economically active and hopeful, the project is expected to contribute to reductions in crime, substance abuse, and gender based violence. The hub represents a structural shift towards healthier, safer, more economically dynamic communities.

How does this initiative contribute to transitioning from a resource based economy to a knowledge driven one?

The hub actively builds the capabilities that underpin a knowledge economy: digital literacy, problem solving, innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology fluency. It enables communities that once relied solely on resource extraction to participate in industries where value is created through skills, creativity, and data. This shift is essential for the long term sustainability of regions that can no longer depend exclusively on mining.

What additional partnerships or expansions can we expect in the near future?

There is strong interest from technology companies, training institutions, and agricultural innovation networks to expand the hub’s offering. Potential future partnerships include enhanced AI training, expanded VR content, deeper links to markets for SMMEs, and collaboration with institutions focused on digital manufacturing and green technologies. The intention is to grow the hub into a flagship model that can be replicated in other mining regions.

How do you measure the success and sustainability of a project like this, particularly beyond the mining sector?

Success is measured through quantifiable indicators such as the number of youth trained, SMMEs incubated, jobs created, and enterprises that achieve sustainability. It is also assessed through improvements in community well being, including reduced social vulnerabilities and increased economic activity. Sustainability is ensured through strong partnerships, community ownership, and the creation of skills and enterprises that remain relevant in a diversified economy. The hub is designed to be a long term asset that continues to create value well beyond the life of the mine.