2022 Sasol Sustainability Report - Book - Page 38
INTRODUCTION
SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE AGAINST OUR FOCUS AREAS
DATA AND ASSURANCE
GROWING SHARED VALUE (CONTINUED)
Bridge-to-work: Skills development (continued)
THE SKILLING OF EMERGING FARMERS
– GERT SIBANDE DISTRICT IN
MPUMALANGA
PERFORMANCE
South Africa
Small-scale farming is a vital tool to fight rural poverty
and develop rural economies. Agriculture is considered,
by the NDP, to have the highest potential for job creation.
As a result of climate change, global trends are pointing
towards localised farming. However, emerging farmers
are faced with many barriers that affect their growth
and transition to commercial farming. Challenges include
access to training in water (and other) efficient farming
techniques, land, infrastructure, finance and markets. The
potential to reduce poverty and food shortages through
small-scale farming is vast, but only with the right support.
Youth development programme
• In partnership with Golden Triangle Chamber of Commence (GTCOC) and Avis in Sasolburg, the ‘New Beginnings’ project assists graduates and
school leavers in preparing to access the job market. Educate Africa has donated a full University of South Africa scholarship (Business Studies)
to the project. A local young entrepreneur was given opportunities through this initiative.
• In Mpumalanga, Sasol established 11 Youth Development Centres at Nkomazi Municipality (Ehlanzeni District Municipality) and Emalahleni
Municipality (Nkangala District Municipality).
• Partnered with other stakeholders at the first Mpumalanga Pop Up Market, a platform to improve SMME and Cooperatives growth through the
development of competitive local products and services as well giving them access to local and international markets. Fifty SMMEs received an
opportunity to showcase and sell their products.
Iphepe - Sasol Farmer Development Programme
Our partnerships with the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture,
Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs, African
Farmers Association of South Africa (AFASA) as well as Buhle
Farmers Academy continues to make an impact.
BtW Artisan Skills Programme
• Sasolburg Operations has supported local youth to qualify as artisans in various disciplines and allow them to work as mechanical fitters, welders,
riggers, plumbers, motor mechanics, electricians and instrumentation technicians. Ninety four artisan candidates have been placed for work
integrated learning at local businesses and government institutions. Participating local businesses are ACTOM, AEM Electrical, Vicro Bulk and Coonco
Engineering, ID Electrical Engineering, Kent Electrical, Serviette, Metsimaholo Local Municipality, Department of Health and Sasol.
• Over 210 youth have been placed in artisan skills programmes since 2013. There are currently 72 students in the pipeline.
• In partnership with GTCOC, Sasol developed an internship programme to provide youth from various disciplines an opportunity to complete an
internship. 10 candidates were placed with local businesses in Sasolburg.
• Opportunities for graduates from Gert Sibande TVET College are being developed. Some learners worked as data administrators at the Sasol
COVID-19 testing and vaccination stations. Others are working as data administrators at the Sasol vaccination station.
Mozambique
INHASSORO TRAINING CENTRE:
• Sasol had committed to train 420 trainees through the temporary training facility while building the permanent centre. Even with challenges from
COVID-19, we have trained 461 trainees.
North America
• The Louisiana Small Business Development Center at McNeese is supported by Sasol to assist entrepreneurs by providing comprehensive, highquality assistance to existing and potential small businesses. The funds that Sasol provides are used to support the training efforts, material
support and opportunities to engage business development presenters.
99 young local emerging and subsistence
farmers from Gert Sibande, Mpumalanga
supported with various skills
210 youth placed in artisan skills programmes in
Sasolburg, Free State with most of them getting
employment and others starting their businesses
SASOL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2022
37
We began supporting farmers in 2016 during the drought and
provided water tankers, boreholes and more in the Free State and
Mpumalanga provinces. During 2018, in partnership with AFASA,
we established skills training accredited by Agri SETA in the
production of vegetables, livestock and poultry and farm business
management.
In collaboration with Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA)
Mpumalanga, we extended our support with our mentorship
programme. Skills gaps were identified and addressed through
various modules eg in bookkeeping and assistance in obtaining
access to markets. In 2021, 99 farmers completed their certification
successfully in various farming disciplines.
The success of two of our beneficiaries is worth highlighting.
Both completed training in vegetable production and farm
business management. One in the Pixley ka Seme Municipality
(Amersfoort) successfully planted eight hectares of dry beans and
one hectare of vegetables after completing training in 2021.
Another, from the Govan Mbeki Municipality (Bethal), whose family
was a land beneficiary from government’s Land Restitution
Programme, is in the final stages of signing up two supermarkets
for the supply of fresh produce.
We celebrate these outcomes and continue to empower
small-scale farmers to stimulate rural economies, bringing
transformation to their communities, furthering diversity, equality
and inclusivity in the agricultural sector.
461 youth trained in
various artisan skills
in Mozambique
FEATURE STORY
• In collaboration with our partners, Sasol has funded the training of 99 young local emerging and subsistence farmers from Gert Sibande
Municipality, in order for them to gain technical, financial and business skills. On completion of their training, these emerging farmers will be
mentored and assisted to set up their farming enterprises.
• Young emerging farmers from the Gert Sibande District Municipality completed training on the following topics: Farm Business Management,
Vegetable Production, Animal Production and Poultry Production. This programme is in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Rural
Development, Land and Environmental Affairs and African Farmers of South Africa – Mpumalanga.
Small Business Development Centre
at McNeese is supported to develop
entrepreneurs in North America