LINKING WATERLOO SOLAR TO SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES

May 2021.

Claire Phutieagae has stepped into the role of Community Liaison Officer for Waterloo Solar project, having already worked with the team that constructed this power plant. In her new role, Claire is the bridge between the solar project and the surrounding beneficiary communities that include Vryburg, Kismet Park, Huhudi, Colridge and Dithakwaneng within the Naledi Local Municipal area.

Not only does she have many years of experience already in this field, but she has also lived within the community for 25 years, so she had a deep understanding of the context and development needs within the surrounding areas.
“I understand the context from which the community functions and the kind of programmes that can assist our beneficiary communities,” said Claire Phutieagae, who believes that it is her job to understand the issues facing the surrounding towns so that she can ensure holistic management of development initiatives.

Claire views education, youth development and Early Childhood Development as the most critical and impactful areas of economic development.

Waterloo Solar, in the North West Province, has already started benefiting the rural communities with COVID-19 humanitarian initiatives and a high impact education programme for hundreds of Grade 11 and Grade 12 learners.

During its 20-year operations period, this solar project’s programmes will continue to focus on education, as well as youth development, health, food security and welfare. Additionally, a percentage of the revenue generated each year will be committed to implementing Enterprise Development initiatives, to build resilience and accelerate the growth and success of entrepreneurial businesses. This will ultimately stimulate local economic growth and create opportunities for the economic participation of previously disadvantaged groups.