Sasol launches Bridge to Work project in Secunda
Company hands over land to Department of Agriculture.
Sasol launched its Bridge to Work (BtW) project on Tuesday, August 30 at the Sasol Recreation Club.
The BtW project consists of a portfolio of initiatives aimed at improving food security and reducing unemployment in the community.
Sasol handed over land in Secunda to the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development as well as vehicles to training academies where potential farmers are currently being trained.
Through these initiatives, Sasol wants to develop emerging farmers and improve access to economic opportunities for the youth, women and unemployed people by providing training in critical skills, not only in farming, but also in motor mechanics, welding, technology and digital business management skills.
Charlotte Mokoena, Sasol’s executive vice president of Human Resources and Stakeholder Relations, said: “As we progress our future Sasol strategy, giving effect to a just transition is central to our de-carbonisation pathways towards achieving our 2050 net zero ambitions.
“We see the vision of Sasol’s just transition as a shared value proposition that will come to life through the inclusive transformation of our business, people and society.
“We recognise the socio-economic impact of this transition over time and have developed a portfolio of pilot initiatives and community resilience projects to foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth.”
The other initiatives under the BtW umbrella are the Iphepe initiative, which is aimed at establishing and growing successful smallholder farmers through integrated support systems, community welding, aimed at creating qualified welders who are equipped to meet the required skill level for new and existing projects in Mpumalanga and the Free State, handyman services, to create jobs for unemployed youth and unskilled school handymen, motor mechanics, to produce certified motor mechanics, who will contribute to the motor industry and be positioned to enter the renewable energy powered vehicle industry, the business technology initiative, to help the youth in the communities to achieve applied technology skills in order to create scalable start-ups and sustainable digital SMMEs that are relevant to their communities and the community service initiative where the unemployed will be mobilized to become active citizens of the country’s democracy, while earning an income and increasing their employability.
To implement these interventions, Sasol has partnered, not only with the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land and Environmental Affairs in Mpumalanga, but also with Buhle Farmers’ Academy, the African Farmer’s Association of South Africa, Afrox, Alternative Information and Development Centre, Aurex, the Small Enterprise Development Agency, National Youth Development Agency, Productivity SA, the South African Social Security Agency and the Gert Sibande TVET College.
“Our aspiration to transition to a lower carbon future cannot be achieved at the expense of our communities, which are already experiencing high levels of poverty, unemployment and inequality,” said Mokoena.
“If leveraged appropriately, we believe opportunities in a low carbon future can deliver a more inclusive, sustainable and thriving South Africa.”
