Community

Bokamoso Solar is focused on empowering and strengthening the local communities in and around the Leeudoringstad area in the North West Province.

The aim is to build social-resilience and capacity of targeted communities through the funding of various economic development 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 Bokamoso 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 through economic development programmes for the duration of the solar plant’s twenty-year operations period, in accordance with the solar plant’s operating agreement.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The focus of Bokamoso Solar’s Socio-Economic Development (SED) Projects will be on Education, Youth Development, Health, Food Security and Welfare. The programmes have been chosen following research and engagement to ensure that the programmes are well informed and will strengthen the beneficiary communities. 80% of the budget will be focused on Flagship Projects and 20% to smaller initiatives that will provide essential services and support to the communities.

Education

EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

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 Bokamoso 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, Bokamoso Solar will assess the condition of ECD Centres located within a 50km radius of the plant 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. By supporting infrastructure needs, ECD centres, are able to ensure that their core focus remains 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 behavior displayed during adolescence, if left unaddressed, often manifests in substance abuse and gender-based violence. The intervention will be focused on the non-academic development of youth within the beneficiary communities.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Access to tertiary studies is a high priority within the beneficiary communities. During the first year of operations, three full tertiary scholarships will be made available to qualifying learners to attend Universities. The Scholarship Programme will be implemented in accordance with the Management Services Company Policy on Scholarships in association with Study Trust.

Health

SCHOOL HEALTH PROJECT

With the focus on addressing school health services in both Primary and High Schools, a mobile clinic is being implemented to address key activities that make up the package of health services that should be provided as a minimum in all schools.

• Health education and promotion;
• Learner assessment and screening (vision, audiology, occupational therapy, dentistry);
• Provision of onsite services; and
• Follow up and referral.

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.

Bokamoso Solar will commit 80% of the obligation to Flagship Projects and 20% to smaller initiatives. The EnD Programme will work with local businesses, with a focus on small and micro enterprises (SMMEs), designed to enhance growth. The establishment of a local resource centre, for use by local SMMEs and communities at large will support this drive to support development, whilst the provision of accredited skills training will be provided to start-up businesses.