April 2021.
Funding to help support a local small business that employs directly from the surrounding communities, which also benefits the environment, is a perfect fit for Klipheuwel Wind Farm’s Economic Development Programme. The newest beneficiary, Khunye Contractors, tackle the ever-important duty of clearing alien vegetation, on behalf of the Department of Environmental Affairs, in the Theewaterskloof Municipality, which is essential considering the Western Cape’s scarce water resources.
This black-owned SMME, employs around 34 local staff, who work on a number of different clearing teams, across this municipal area. The funding from the wind farm has provided equipment to help ensure that this micro business can carry out its obligations to the Department. Chainsaws, helmets, overalls, boots, gloves, shears, spades, knives as well as other smaller equipment like fencing tape, mesh, paintbrushes and oil for the machinery were all included.
Speaking about the impact of this support, Mr Giliomee said, “My employees are now able to work safely and with the necessary equipment and PPE, plus we can finish our work faster, within the expected time.”
He continued saying, “Instead of buying equipment I will now be able to build financial stability and provide more work opportunities to community members in Genadendal.”
The additional funding is helping the company take on other contracts, which includes servicing privately-owned agricultural land, which is the key employer and economic driver in this area.
“This is an important service that Mr Giliomee and his team are putting their hard efforts into, as clearing helps to ensure the maximum amount of rainfall is collected, which is vital considering that alien vegetation can reduce water run-off by as much as 30% in heavily infested areas,” explained Parmas Chetty, Enterprise Development Manager for Klipheuwel Wind Farm.
The Klipheuwel Wind Farm’s enterprise development programme looks to empower small enterprises, within the Theewaterskloof Municipality’s communities of Botriver, Tesselaarsdal, Riversonderend, Greyton, Genadendal, Villiersdorp, Grabouw, Caledon, Hermanus and Kleinmond.
