The Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) is designed so that each project is required to spend a certain percentage of their revenue on socio-economic and enterprise development activities in communities close to the project location. It is through these contributions that the IPPs are supporting communities in the fight against the impacts of COVID-19.
Personal Protective Equipment
On the 23rd of March 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his decision for the country to enter a National Lockdown due to the novel Corona Virus outbreak in the country. In order to slow the spread of the virus down and to “flatten the curve” a number of restrictions were implemented by the government. As the number of infections increases in the country, there is a shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the health sector.
To ensure healthcare facilities and other essential service providers are equipped with necessary protective wear, Lesedi Power Project undertook to provide PPE and Essential items to Postmasburg Hospital, PMG Clinic, Postdene Clinic, Boichoko Clinic, Kgatelopele Clinic. Other essential service providers that were provided with PPE included the Department of Home Affairs and Tsantsabane Local Municipality.
The PPE items provided included: 3 ply surgical masks, hand-wash soap, latex gloves and 70% alcohol based all-purpose sanitizer as recommended by the World Health Organization.
Food Security: Hampers
Food security was a great concern for vulnerable communities in the Lesedi Power Project priority 50km radius. With the announcement of the National Lock down, many families were left without an income due to businesses closing.
Lesedi, together with Tsantsabane Local Municipality and Kgatelopele Local Municipality therefore undertook to provide 530 food hampers to homes within the Danielskuil and Postmasburg areas during the Lockdown. A local business was used to provide the items which were included in the food hampers. The food hampers contained necessities such as maize meal, flour, sugar, yeast, teabags, powder milk, soup, washing powder bar soap etc.
School Readiness
With the announcement of a phased reopening of schools from 1 June 2020, there was a great concern for access to PPE by schools in the priority areas, good hygiene practices, social distancing and screening of teachers and learners for Covid-19 symptoms. Lesedi Power Project saw a need for the School Readiness SED initiative for 20 schools in Tsantsabane local Municipality and Kgatelopele Local Municipality.
The schools were provided with 70% alcohol based hand sanitizer as recommended by WHO and the Department of Education, non-contact thermometers, foot and hand sanitizer dispensers were procured and installed in common areas and classrooms by local businesses, and 3-ply cloth face-masks, for 556 educators and 13 508 learners, were procured from a local business.
“On behalf of our school fraternity, I would like to thank Lesedi for their generous contributions that they have made. This contribution will play a pivotal role in our attempt to prevent the infection or the spread of the virus at our school” – Andrew Mejanie (Principal of Postdene Primary School, Northern Cape)