Loeriesfontein Primary School was excited to receive a new school bus, which was handed over last month, 4 May 2022. Over 400 learners will benefit from access to transport, which is providing access to out-of-town sporting, cultural, and academic events. READ MORE
The arts hold a significant creative and cultural value within communities and can act as an important and effective tool to engage the youth. It is for this reason Perdekraal East Wind Farm is supporting a drama programme, aimed at unlocking the talents of the youth and high school learners, in the Witzenberg communities. The initiative furthermore provides a sense of purpose and positive environment for personal growth.
Welgemoed Primary School, a tiny farm school close to Ceres was alive with activity this Mandela Day, to give the 48 learners a fresh new building. Parents, members of the governing body, and a team from Perdekraal East Wind Farm and Mainstream Renewable Power, spent their 67 minutes for Mandela Day working alongside a local painting crew to make Madiba magic.
Early learning plays a critical role in a child’s development, as it deeply affects future physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development. Hence, the role of Early Childhood Development (ECD) and that of its Practitioners, is pivotal to the success of our children and our nation’s growth and prosperity. In realisation of this, Kliphuewel Wind Farm has commited to the funding of a programme that is training ECD Practitioners in communities across Grabouw, Hermanus, Kleinmond, Riviersonderend, Tesselaarsdal and Villiersdorp, in the Western Cape.
Facilitated by the Elgin Community College, twelve ECD Practitioners, aged between 19 and 50 years old, from across seven ECD centres began their training towards their ECD NQF Level 4 last month. The sessions are taking place every Tuesday and Friday and will continue for a full year.
“In addition to what children receive from their primary caregivers, ECD centres form the foundation for a child’s development, making access to quality education essential for the health of our societies and communities,” said Tsholofelo Moote, Economic Development Specialist for Klipheuwel Wind Farm. She also noted that studies indicated that solid investment in ECD plays a significant role in whether or not a child grows into their full potential. Despite this, a recent census revealed that roughly half of teaching staff in early learning programmes have a relevant qualification, while 22% have no qualification.
This programme has come about following community engagement, research and resource studies, all of which indicated general lack of resources and infrastructure for young children in the beneficiary communities.
Speaking to Janicka Abrahams, one of the cohort of ECD Practitioners currently studying toward an NQF Level 4, she said, “I’m looking forward to better understanding the child holistically and how to care for the needs of the child, as well as how to manage an ECD centre. I’ll learn now to better serve my community because there is a huge challenge in our area.”
In addition to the ECD NQF Level 4 training, three ECD centres have been identified for infrastructure improvements as part of this ECD support programme. The centres identified are Greyton Speelsentrum, in Greyton; and Butterfly Daycare and Voorstekraal Educare Centre, both in Genadendal.
“Supporting ECD means that children are provided with a strong base for their lifelong learning abilities, as indicated by evidence the world over, which tells us that a high-functioning education system requires equitable child development opportunities in the early years,” concluded Moote.
Note:
The seven ECD Centres whose practitioners are receiving training include: Voorstekraal Educare; Genadendal Speelsentrum; Vrolike Vinkies Daycare; Greyton Speelsentrum; Berea Educare; Butterfly Educare; and Voorstekraal Dagsorg.
May 2022, the Department of Basic Education released the 2021 Early Childhood Development (ECD) Census results, which comprise data on all ECD Programmes in order to get a better understanding of the early learning and development landscape in South Africa. https://www.education.gov.za/ECDCensus.aspx; https://www.education.gov.za/Portals/0/Documents/Publications/ECD_Census_brochure_2021.pdf?ver=2021-08-24-101221-803
In partnership with the Cape Agulhas Municipality, Excelsior Wind Energy Facility has provided funding and support to the Bredasdorp community’s business hub to breathe new life into the space and provide support to fledgling enterprises.
Since it was established in 2019, the hub has struggled to fulfil its SMME-support function due to lack of funds and training. The introduction of an SMME skills training programme to the hub by Excelsior Wind Energy Facility has enabled it to be optimally utilised and fulfil its function as a centre for business start ups and a catalyst for them to thrive in the local economy.
“The intention of the business hub is to provide a physical location for local SMME’s to trade, as well as provide facilities for training. When we discovered that the facility wasn’t being utilised properly, we saw an opportunity to work with the Cape Agulhas Municipality, by making training available to local SMMEs and ensuring that the hub is used as it was intended, thereby maximising the impact on community businesses,” said Libby Hirshon, Sustainability Director at BTE Renewables and Excelsior Wind Energy Facility.
The skills training programme runs for a full year, with sessions running twice a week, every week. Whenever possible, these are run in-person, but virtual content is also provided when in-person training is not possible. The participating business owners expect to graduate by the end of this year, or January 2023, having covered topics such as access to market; basic marketing skills; online and social media marketing; and customer service support.
Five local SMME’s, which were identified by the Cape Agulhas Municipality, receive this training, skills upliftment and have benefited directly from the business hubs’ infrastructure. These include two hairdressers; fast food businesses; and a carwash. The hub additionally provided support to an erosion control, and alien vegetation clearing SMME, which operates outside of the business hub structure, and is an employer of eleven community members.
“We are already seeing amazing results from this programme. Now in the second quarter, we are pleased that these businesses are already showing profits, which they now know how to accurately calculate. Our service provider, Your Skills Gap Solutions, has engaged the business owners in skills training covering business writing, compliance, budgets, financial report writing, and bookkeeping, in addition to other key content,” said, Jasan Johnson, Social Performance Co-Ordinator for Excelsior Wind Energy Facility.
“This enterprise development programme is helping me in all business aspects. I created my own brand, and put a Quality Management System in place, which includes all my policies. It was also very interesting to create a Business Profile and Business Plan. But, best of all, I can see the results in my profits each month,“ said Ms. Ucile Visagie, owner of Salon Sielie, one of the SMME’s benefitting from this programme.
Over 400 primary school learners in the Kouga region, celebrated Global Wind Day (GWD) on 15 June 2022. The event was honoured across seven schools, with a literacy competition, themed ‘Hear the Wind Sing’.
Funded as part of the Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm education programme, this writing and creativity initiative was aimed at Foundation Phase, Grades 1, 2 and 3. In preparation for GWD, learners created wind-related musical instruments and submitted correlating independent creative writing exercises, focused on the experience of creating their instrument.
Since 2014, local schools in this area have been celebrating this event, which is befitting as the Province boasts some of the country’s best wind resources and is expectedly home to many of the largest and most prominent wind farms, playing a big part in the country’s wind energy sector.
Each school selected nine winners, comprising three winners per Grade to be awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals. The highlight of the competition, besides award certificates and sets of books, is no doubt the visit to Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm for the Grade 3 Gold winners that took place last week on 22 June, along with each school’s Reading Assistant.
“Most children in the Jeffrey’s Bay areas are curious about our wind farm, but only see the majestic turbines when travelling past our project. Hence, children are always very excited to learn more about the importance of clean, renewable power and get to see the turbines up close,” commented Tsholofelo Moote, Economic Development Specialist at Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm.
Participating schools included: Quagga Primary; Gamtoosvallei Primary; Pellsrus Primary; Thornhill Primary; Kruisfontein Primary; Chigwell Primary; St Patrick’s Primary; and Weston Intermediate.
“It is imperative that we help teach children about wind energy so that they understand it as a source of renewable energy that does not contaminate. It is unlimited and reduces the use of fossil fuels, which is one of the main causes of climate change. We hope that they will understand the importance of this source of energy and know it to be sustainable and in harmony with the environment, both for today and future generations,” concluded Moote.
Learners from across six Springbok community high schools had fun building working turbine models as part of a Global Wind Day Competition. Celebrated across the world on 15 June each year, Global Wind Day is a day to learn more about wind energy, its power, and the possibilities it holds to change the world.READ MORE
Cape Town, South Africa, 15 June 2022
Nordex Energy South Africa’s (NESA) core local construction operations team headed to Spain last week, to commence training at Nordex’s Tajonar and Barasoain facilities close to Pamplona. Comprising site managers, specialist technicians and other key skills, the cohort of ten is being trained on Nordex’s updated wind turbine technology, in preparation for the exponential growth of South Africa’s wind sector, which will require robust construction expertise.
Eastern Cape, Africa Day, 25 May
Hundreds of Grade 1 to 3 learners and their Reading Assistants, across fourteen schools, in the communities of Hankey, Patensie, Ocean View, Jeffreys Bay and Humansdorp, participated in a read-aloud competition, to commemorate Africa Day (25 May 2022). READ MORE
Vestas Southern Africa has attained Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Level 1 Contribution Status. The certificate recognises Vestas’ efforts to create value by hiring local talent and developing skills locally. It also acknowledges the successfull collaboration established over the last years with local suppliers and community organisations.
Vestas’ commitment to B-BBEE is fully aligned with the company’s global diversity and inclusion policy, which aims at becoming the most inclusive and socially responsible company in the energy industry.
“The Level 1 Contribution Status showcases Vestas’ strong commitment with the socio- economic development of South Africa. It also validates Vestas’ efforts to consolidate a diverse and inclusive workforce, which is vital for accelerating the green energy transition in the country”, says Louise Paulsen, Vestas Managing Director South Africa.
Vestas opened its office in South Africa in 2010, when the country only had 10 MW of installed wind capacity. Today, Vestas leads the national wind power market and over 1 GW of installed capacity, around 30 per cent of the country’s wind capacity.
“As our footprint in the country expands, so does our responsibility to conduct business with integrity. To lead a just and inclusive energy transition, we must create a positive impact wherever we operate”, explains Louise Paulsen. “In this journey, the B-BBEE certificate represents a strong incentive to continuously identify areas of improvement and make sure that our work contributes to reaching UN Sustainable Development Goals 3, 7, 10 and 13”.
With over 154 GW of wind turbines in 87 countries, Vestas has installed more wind power than anyone else. The company is strongly committed to contribute to South Africa’s new renewable energy targets, which include reaching 17.7 GW of wind capacity by 2030 and increasing the presence of renewables in its energy mix from the current 11 per cent to about 41 per cent by 2030.
For more information, please contact:
Andrés Domínguez
Communications Specialist Vestas Mediterranean
M +34 649294007
Email: andms@vestas.com
About Vestas
Vestas is the energy industry’s global partner on sustainable energy solutions. We design, manufacture, install, and service onshore and offshore wind turbines across the globe, and with more than 154 GW of wind turbines in 87 countries, we have installed more wind power than anyone else.
Through our industry-leading smart data capabilities and unparalleled more than 132 GW of wind turbines under service, we use data to interpret, forecast, and exploit wind resources and deliver best-
in-class wind power solutions. Together with our customers, Vestas’ more than 29,000 employees are bringing the world sustainable energy solutions to power a bright future.
Vestas installed its first project in South Africa in 2002. Since then, the company has installed eleven wind parks in the country that account for over 1 GW of clean power. The company currently employs over 80 employees in the country and uses locally produced towers, being the only OEM to have exported towers from South Africa.
In January 2022, Vestas was named the most sustainable company in the annual ranking of the world’s most sustainable corporations, published by Corporate Knights.
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