Community

Boikanyo Solar is focused on empowering and strengthening the local communities in and around the Siyancuma Local Municipality area in the Northern Cape Province, namely Douglas, Bongani and Breipaal.

The aim is to empower and build capacity of targeted communities through the funding of various socio-economic development (SED) and Enterprise Development (EnD) programmes that positively address local skills gaps and needs, and to empower the communities to be economically independent and take ownership of their future.

The approach is characterised by continuous engagement, the sharing of knowledge and experiences, and a focus on relevance and practicality of projects supported. All of Boikanyo Solar’s local economic development programmes are results and impact-driven; designed to be sustainable and make a lasting difference in communities within which the company operates.

The beneficiary communities will benefit directly from the economic development programmes, for the duration of the solar plant’s twenty-year operation period, in accordance with the plant operating agreement.

SED FLAGSHIP PROJECTS

The focus of Boikanyo Solar’s Socio-Economic Development (SED) Projects will be on Education, Youth Development, Health, Enterprise Development, Food Security and Welfare.

Following research and engagement, programmes are well informed and address Priority Needs of the Siyancuma Local Municipality, namely: poor Educational system; Health infrastructure improvement requirements; Up-skilling Youth and youth development; Agriculture and agro-processing support; and Infrastructure upgrading.

Education

EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

The proposed practitioner training will be a foundation to develop practitioner’s skills base to ensure that further learning and development can take place to further develop practitioner’s skillsets to ensure alignment with the minimum requirements as set out in the National Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy. In our 1st year of operation in the sector, we will conduct an assets and skills mapping assessment that will assist us develop programmes for this vital sector.

Provision of Education Resources and Play Equipment:

Early Childhood Development for children between the ages of 0 and 6 years is critical in determining the success of the child’s academic foundations. It is with this belief that Boikanyo Solar will prioritise ECD Centres requiring educational resources and play equipment, both of which are vital for development.

Minor repairs at ECD Centres

As part of this programme, Boikanyo Solar will assess the condition of ECD Centres in the Siyancuma Local Municipality and appoint local service providers to conduct the repairs and/or maintenance as general maintenance of the ECD facilities is often neglected due to lack of funds.

ECD Centres are largely dependent on the Government subsidy and school fees to sustain its operations, which are often not reliable. This places an additional burden on the ECD Centres as their core focus is on the child.

LIFE SKILLS PROGRAMME FOR YOUTH

A Life Skills Programme (“LSP”) that supports young people in the development of skills to deal with the pressures of adolescence is being implemented. The programme is intended to instil life skills needed to navigate the journey to adulthood. We believe that negative behaviour displayed during adolescence, if left unaddressed, often manifests in substance abuse and gender-based violence. The intervention will be focused on skills development initiatives and the non-academic development of youth.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Access to tertiary studies is a high priority within the beneficiary communities, hence full tertiary scholarships will be made available to qualifying learners to attend Universities and TVET Colleges. The Scholarship Programme will be implemented in accordance with the Management Services Company Policy on Scholarships.

GOODWILL PROJECTS

A small percentage of the SED budget will be made available for the implementation and support of goodwill projects, known as our ‘Hearts and Minds Initiatives’. These projects will be supported according to merit.

Community members and NPOs are welcome to email their proposals or applications for funding to info@boikanyosolar.co.za

Health

PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

With the focus on addressing the needs of Primary Health Care Facilities that service the beneficiary communities. The intent is to support a health programme that addresses:

• Access to quality health care facilities
• Upgrade equipment in existing clinics
• Upgrade existing clinics

Enterprise Development

A percentage of the revenue generated each year will be committed to implementing Enterprise Development (EnD) initiatives, to build resilience and accelerate the growth and success of entrepreneurial businesses, ultimately stimulating the local economic growth and creating opportunities for the economic participation of previously disadvantaged groups.

The EnD programme will address:

• Working with local businesses, SMMEs, and various stakeholders to enhance local business growth.
• Establishment of a local resource centre (i.e. internet café, etc.) for use by local SMMEs and communities at large.
• Capacity building training with ED partners. Explore partnerships with other stakeholders implementing life skills and IT programmes for the youth.