In an effort to help Mzansi shift towards clean energy, the Soutpan Solar Power Project is helping farmers in Limpopo be less grid dependant, and address critical needs that hinder the growth of the business.
The 28-megawatt solar power plant is located 72km west of Louis Trichardt on the Zuurbult Farm in Vivo, and covers 180 hectares of Blouberg District Municipality-owned land.
According to its leadership, the project benefits the communities in the vicinity of the solar farm in multiple ways. This includes enterprise and socio-economic development that promotes access to the economy for local people, procurement and employment opportunities that plough financial resources into the local area.
Through its Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme, it provides entrepreneurs with mentorship as a way to enhance their business management skills.
‘It brought life to the farm’
In its most recent empowerment effort, the Soutpan Solar Power Project installed a solar-powered borehole pump and newly constructed poultry house at a youth-owned farming business.
Masa Sunrise Farming, a chicken farm based in Taaiboschgroet, Ga-Mamadi received business support and funding from the programme to help expand their business.
Peter Meyer, owner of Masa Sunrise Farming says, “Soutpan Solar Power has given me the courage to move from my backyard setup onto my own plot, where we currently have a thousand layers.”
“The newly installed borehole has brought life to the farm, as no farm can operate without a good water supply.”
Since its inception in 2019, this youth-owned business has become a well-known egg supplier, equipped with incubators and a hatchery machine, housing close to a thousand chickens.
“They have also encouraged us to step out of our comfort zone and helped create a vision for what we can achieve over the next few years,” Meyer adds.
Harrisinah Theka, economic development specialist for Soutpan Solar Power, explains that every year they approach the community and invite stakeholders in the SMME development space to participate in the selection of deserving businesses for enrolment in the programme.
“Peter Meyer impressed the panel when he presented his business case this year as he knew how to sell his business and showed a lot of passion for what he is doing.”
Harrisinah Theka from Soutpan Solar Power
Soutpan Solar Power’s youth development programme is being implemented in collaboration with the National Youth Development Agency, as well as the Small Enterprise Development Agency, Venetia Mine, Limpopo department of economic development, environment and tourism, the department of rural development, and Capricorn District Municipality.
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