SOLAR PROJECT GETS NEW SETSWANA NAME

October 2021.

Honouring the men and women who built the solar project, the name meaning ‘Trustworthy’ and ‘Dependable’ in the area’s vernacular Setswana, has become the new name for Boikanyo Solar Power.

Previously known as Greefspan II, the Northern Cape’s new solar project enrolled the creative input from nearly 200 workers. The name ‘Boikanyo’, was selected as a first choice out of 173 applications, in the name change competition, which was won by Mr Christopher Zakhele, from the Douglas community, who was part of the team on site.

“We are very pleased that this solar project, which is situated close to Douglas, will carry the name chosen by a worker who lives in the closest community, and are thankful to the hundreds of workers who enthusiastically joined in the campaign,” said Tshepo Kgoloane, Community Operations Manager for Boikanyo Solar.

Kgoloane added, saying “Boikanyo Solar, is 100% owned by South African investors, so a Setswana name chosen by the people of the Northern Cape, is even most fitting.”

Prizes were handed over at a small ceremony, at the solar project, with the first and second prize winners receiving vouchers. First Prize received by Mr Christopher Zakhele and the second prize, received by Mr Cedric Guys.

The surrounding communities of Douglas, Bongani, Breipaal, which benefited directly from jobs over the year of construction, will also be the direct beneficiaries of Socio-economic and Enterprise Development initiatives over the project’s 20-year operations period. These programmes are aimed at building economic and social resilience, as well as increasing access to the local economy.