The Lesedi Solar Park Trust (Lesedi) and Letsatsi Solar Park Trust (Letsatsi) are dedicated to breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty by providing support and creating life-changing opportunities within communities. Our goal is to enable children, youth, and families to thrive in all aspects of life.
To address the challenges of climate change and the transition away from emission-intensive energy sources like coal, the South African government has embraced the concept of a “just transition.” This approach recognises that moving away from coal will have negative consequences for workers and communities, and seeks to minimise these impacts while ensuring that the benefits of a zero-carbon economy are distributed equitably. It is within this policy context that the Lesedi and Letsatsi projects emerged.
The Lesedi and Letsatsi projects are community trusts with shareholding in renewable energy power companies, established to ensure that the benefits of the energy transition are shared by the communities affected. These projects align with the government’s commitment to a just transition and provide a unique opportunity to address systemic inequality.
At DGMT, we recognise the potential of these community trusts and support their endeavours. Through our involvement, we aim to demonstrate that investing in individuals from the early stages of life and addressing the obstacles they face can significantly improve outcomes and increase the likelihood of realising their full potential.
The Lesedi Solar Park Trust focuses on communities within a 50km radius of the Lesedi Solar Power Project in the Northern Cape, including Postmasburg, Groenwater, Skeyfontein, Lime Acres, and Danielskuil. Its primary objective is to address challenges hindering positive human development outcomes in these communities.
Similarly, the Letsatsi Solar Park Trust holds shares in the Letsatsi Solar Power Project in the Free State. Its mandate is also to develop communities within a 50km radius of the project, with a specific focus on the towns of Dealesville and Soutpan.
The majority of South Africans are stuck in an inequality trap with wealth concentrated in the hands of a few. Most are stuck in intergenerational loops of exclusion with few chances to escape. Breaking this cycle requires a fundamental change in life trajectories, starting in the womb.
Think of a Möbius strip – just one twist in the circle allows you to trace a completely different pattern. Instead of being stuck on the inside of a loop, you emerge on the outside. In the same way, escaping the inequality trap requires a fundamental twist to set South Africa on a new path.
Our project is dedicated to making a real difference in people’s lives. We have identified four specific goals that drive our efforts and empower the communities we serve, leading to transformative change:
These four goals serve as the guiding principles for our work. They ensure that our projects have a meaningful impact, are sustainable, and responsive to the specific needs of the communities we serve. Together, we can achieve lasting change.
Trying to change life trajectories is ambitious and profound. It requires us to radically influence the lives of individuals and to be part of changing the circumstances in which they live.
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