The launch forms part of a R15 million investment by Sasol to establish five IeCs in poverty nodes identified by government as part of its Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Plan.

 

The IeCs are established by Sasol in partnership with the DME. The group's involvement includes feasibility studies, environmental impact assessments, and construction of the IeCs, training of employees and management and the supply of products.

 

“The DME regards energy as the prime catalyst for socioeconomic development and has identified IeCs as growth drivers for capacity building in poor and underdeveloped rural communities. The focus is on educating and training communities in aspects of energy conservation and to establish energy shops in areas where people have to travel great distances at high cost to obtain energy sources such as firewood, charcoal, candles, liquefied petroleum gas and paraffin for basic needs such as cooking, heating and lighting,” says Minister Xingwana.

 

“Access to basic, clean energy services is essential for sustainable development and poverty eradication, and provides major benefits in the areas of health, literacy and equity. The IeCs are making a real difference to the lives of the poorest of the poor, offering them the choice to study at night, travel, cook, watch television and to start small businesses,” says Sasol CE Pat Davies.

 

The Mutale IeC is a co-operative owned by 102 members of the community representing some 143 villages which served by six councillors and with a population of about 80 000 people. More than 80 % of the members are women and youth. Their efforts will be coordinated by the Mutale Municipality which administers the areas of Rammbuda, Thengwe, Tribal Makuya, Tshikundamalema, Mutele and Manenzhe.

 

The IeC has created ten new job opportunities - of which five have been filled by women - in a rural area where extremely limited employment opportunities, infrastructure and services exist.

 

The Mutale IeC looks like a smaller version of Sasol's Convenience Centres, which are being rolled out in all metropolitan areas of the country. Staff and board members were trained at the Sasol Academy at Sasolburg.

 

“I am very pleased that our municipality is the first to bring affordable energy to the people of Mutale. The centre will be the hub for further development of the entire community as a service provider and will offer top quality service and customer care to the community,” says IeC Manager, Justice Mabuda.

 

Sasol and the DME will next establish IeCs at Makgobistad at Mafikeng in North West; and Qunu in the Eastern Cape. Sasol recently established IeCs in Laxley, near Kuruman in the Northern Province, and Caba-Mdeni, near Matatiele in the Eastern Cape.