Page 28 - Energize May 2022

NEWS

Green power company commits to

educating future generations

n South Africa, where unemployment is at an all-time
high and school-leavers are struggling to pursue studies
Iat tertiary institutions due to a lack of finances, the
contribution from the private sector, in the form of granting
bursaries, is helping the youth realise their aspirations of
studying further and becoming more employable. One
example of this is the Enel Green Power South Africa (EGP
RSA) Bursary Programme.
Education is fundamental to building a successful life,
yet too many youths miss out on being able to obtain a
qualification from a tertiary institution. When EGP RSA
conducted research in the communities it operates in,
the company discovered the urgent need for access to
education, and made a commitment to offering assistance.
Globally, Enel Green Power generates electricity
from renewable sources, including geothermal energy,
hydropower, solar energy and wind power. In South Africa,
it manages 12 wind and solar plants. It is here that the
company feels it can best contribute to education … within
its host communities.
“Young people being unable to further their studies due
to financial constraints is the biggest social challenge of our EGP RSA believes the value of the bursary programme extends
time,” says Lizeka Dlepu, Head of Sustainability at EGP RSA. beyond the granting of actual bursaries. Dlepu says, “We
“Our aim, therefore, is to provide deserving students with believe it will help increase the number of educated people
funds to attend tertiary education institutions to give them who can then act as role models within their communities.
the chance of a brighter future. It also aids in decreasing South Africa’s skills gap and makes
“The bursary programme took root when we conducted young people more employable.”
a community needs assessment and asset mapping study. The company asserts that education is key in creating a
During the focus group discussion, we discovered that a lot viable future for humanity and is the most effective weapon in
of talented youth were sitting at home after matriculating eradicating poverty. It is for this reason that EGP RSA’s focus is
due to a lack of financial resources. Some were working on helping the next generation acquire skills that are essential
as seasonal workers on the farms surrounding their for meeting the opportunities that lie ahead of them.
hometowns,” adds Dlepu. “To us, sustainability means value-creation, which is
developed by using a model that integrates economic,
The fund looks at sponsoring fees, accommodation and environmental, social and governance goals into our business
providing an allowance for a select group of students. So far, plan, thereby creating long-term value for all stakeholders,
approximately 35 students have benefitted from the bursary including our host communities,” says Dlepu.
programme. The criteria for eligibility for the bursary In the future, EGP RSA plans to encourage its prior
include: beneficiaries to contribute to a monthly fund to pay it forward
• Youths who reside within a 50km radius of or within the to fellow members of the community. Until then, eligible
same district in which the EGP RSA plants are located students are encouraged to apply to the bursary fund and begin
• Families with an income that does not exceed R350 000 the journey of obtaining the necessary qualifications to pursue
per annum a worthwhile career.
• Woman-, child- or pensioner-headed families
• School-leavers who qualify to enter an institution of Contact Enel Green Power South Africa, Phone 010 344-0200,
higher learning communications.egprsa@enel.com

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