It is very important because business is not separate from society.
Community challenges do not exist in isolation,
and neither do their solutions.
Our success is inextricably linked to the well-being of the wider community.
At EGP we are committed to working towards constructive,
collaborative and sustained engagement with communities
to address their challenges -
it one of the most meaningful things we do as an organization.
These close relationships we have with our communities
helps to ensure that all parties involved
are aware of the planned developments, the availability of resources,
progress made towards community goals, and successful projects.
Through the Project Steering Committee,
an all-inclusive local structure where we jointly brainstorm
and plan Economic Development related projects.
Together, we identify priority programs to be implemented in any given year
and we provide support where possible.
Sometimes through various training programs or funding,
where SMMEs meet certain criteria.
We have numerous projects that we’ve launched,
that respond to various needs in different communities.
For Sports and Recreation,
we erected an outdoor gym at Graafwater
near our Paleisheuwel Solar Plant
and in Somerset East near our Nxuba Wind Farm.
We provided a water system solution for the sports field
located in schools close to our Pulida, Paleisheuwel and Nojoli projects.
We initiated a Computer Literacy program in Shongoane Village in Lephalale,
along with setting up free WiFi for the GaSeleka Community in Tom Burke,
as well as the community in Citrusdal (where Paleisheuwel) is,
and in Hankey, where our Gibson Bay project is situated.
To help solve some of the Energy needs,
we supplied a mini-grid
which provides the SMMEs in Kuruman, Lephalale,
Bedford and Paleisheuwel farm with clean, efficient energy.
Various Educational projects have also been implemented;
after school programs, career development programs,
Life Coaching and coding programs, to name a few.
These are only some of the on-going programs and initiatives;
it really is the best job in the world to be able to make such meaningful contribution
to solving peoples’ real-life challenges.