Over 120 BCL Mine employees receive long service awards

CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Correspondent | Thursday November 18, 2010 00:00

General manager of BCL Mine, Montwedi Mphathi said the skills and experience accumulated by the employees over the years will be treasured and imparted to the younger generation. Mphathi was speaking at the long service and retirees' ceremony held over the weekend at Anne Adams Park. 'BCL Mine is what it is today because of the collective efforts of the employees that are receiving long service awards as well as the rest of the team. This can only improve productivity within the organisation,' he said. 

Those who received long service awards have been with the organisation for 20 years. Ninety of them were retiring from the copper/nickel mine.

The general manager explained that they counsel people a few years before they retire, to equip them with skills to prepare them to face the world after retirement so as to be prudent with their savings. He said it is disheartening to find retirees facing difficult times reflecting that it is never good to still be burdened with debts even after retiring.

Mphathi further urged retirees to utilise government interventions so that they can improve their lives. He also urged the long service awards recipients to continue working hard to ensure that they create a solid legacy when they retire.

BCL Board Chairperson, Dr Akolang Tombale who was the guest speaker at the event, commended BCL Mine retirees and long service awards recipients for their individual input to the mine as it has positively resulted in its success over the years. Tombale explained that retirement to many people refers to the period in life where one should be kicking their heels, relaxing and catching up on things they never could do during their long grueling work lives.

'Realistically, not many people get a chance to enjoy their retirement period, usually due to financial constraints that come once they stop earning a salary. Retirement is not an easy thing to do or accept,' said Tombale. He also expressed gratitude towards retirees, saying it is through their dedication that BCL Mine is where it is today.