RLB is dedicated to championing socially responsible initiatives that enrich the communities in which we live and work. We strive to collaborate with partners who share our values, creating impactful community and social programmes that address local needs and deliver lasting benefits. The Impact Catalyst exemplifies this shared commitment, making them an ideal partner in our journey towards positive social change.
The Impact Catalyst, a collaborative initiative founded by Anglo American, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Exxaro, and World Vision South Africa, is dedicated to driving transformative socio-economic development through dynamic partnerships across government, private sector, and civil society.
Serving as a catalyst for change, it fosters innovative collaboration to achieve significant impact at a scale beyond the capacity of any single participant.
Projects target sectors like the biodiversity economy, agriculture, renewable energy, healthcare, education, and municipal development. The organisation obtains funding and, through coordination with provincial governments, drives strategy, facilitates implementation, and ensures projects achieve self-sustainability.
Understanding RLB’s involvement
In 2022, discussions began between RLB in South Africa and The Impact Catalyst on how we could collaborate. By the end of that year, we were appointed as their preferred cost managers. Our first collaboration in 2023 was on the Freshlinq Market project. You can read about this project in our 2024 Global Annual Report.
RLB is providing services to The Impact Catalyst at a reduced fee, sometimes funded from our own CSR budget allocated to projects driven by them. We assist their implementation agent and project managers with our cost management expertise. We aim to ensure that the funding obtained by them is sufficient and applied as effectively as possible for successful project rollout.
The Impact Catalyst CEO, Charl Harding, is not only the ‘brainchild’ behind this incredible initiative but also a personal connection. Our support for them stems from this relationship as well as our shared goals and values.
Project pipeline
In the coming months, our Pretoria office Quantity Surveyors will be assisting on two school projects in Musina, the northernmost town in South Africa. Musina is situated just south of the Limpopo River, which forms the border between South Africa and Zimbabwe. The area has a wealth of mineral resources and is home to a number of mining operations, including diamonds, copper, and one of the major iron-ore producing mines in the country.
The Renaissance Secondary School, located near Musina, currently lacks a science lab, which hinders students’ ability to conduct the necessary experiments outlined in their syllabus. Plans for the construction of a new science lab have been approved by the Musina council, with construction scheduled to commence in October 2024. RLB will provide assistance from the procurement stage to final close-out on the project.
Mabotha Secondary School, located approximately an hour’s drive from Musina, has faced significant challenges following a fire that destroyed a portion of their classrooms. Urgent repairs are needed to meet the educational requirements of the students. Additionally, the lack of adequate sanitary infrastructure is a pressing issue. We look forward to commencing with this project and anticipate the positive impact it will have on the lives of the students and teachers.
In line with our social responsibilities and commitment to creating a better tomorrow, we take pride in offering our expertise. We eagerly anticipate further collaborations with The Impact Catalyst on essential projects aimed at addressing urgent community needs and ensuring a positive and lasting legacy.
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