August 2023.
Highlighting the benefit of collaboration for the upliftment of communities within the Pixley ka Seme Municipal District, a group of Northern Cape Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and Community Trust Companies, embarked on a roadshow to create awareness of the impact of each of the entities’ economic development programmes.
Joined by local government stakeholders, the events also included a virtual presentation by Mr. Lazarus Mahlangu of the Economic Development Department of the Independent Power Producers Office (IPPO), augmenting the programme, which successfully illustrated the benefits and assistance received thus far by community beneficiaries across Britstown, Philipstown and De Aar.
“It was encouraging to receive such great feedback from local government representatives, encouraging their community members to take up opportunities that the IPP’s are making available to them. The community members themselves also showed a great interest in the information we had to share with them,” said Zuki Ndlela, Economic Development Specialist at De Aar Solar Power.
These beneficiary interventions include both enterprise and socio-economic development programmes, encompassing education, health, welfare, professional skills. The presentation also shared how community members are able to access funding and the process thereof.
Participating IPP’s included De Aar Solar Power; Scatec; Solar Capital De Aar 1; Lilitha Solar; and Mulilo. The four community trusts, which were part of the road show to help explain the important difference between IPPs and community trusts included: Sibona Ilanga Community Trust; Wind and Solar Mulilo Community Trust; Solar Capital De Aar 1 Community Trust; and Solar Capital De Aar 3 Community Trust.
