A LOCAL entrepreneur in Graaff-Reinet is ploughing back into his community by creating work opportunities for a number of unemployed young men and women from Umasizakhe Township.
Luvuyo Maloyi, director of Zikhali Business Solutions, has been subcontracted to SANParks to implement an elimination project of alien and invasive plants in the region.
The project forms part of SANParks’ working for water and biodiversity programmes currently undertaken to eliminate invasive plants. The project currently employs 12 team members who have undergone training on various task-based programmes, such as herbicide application, chainsaw handling, first aid and health and safety.
Maloyi said,“The project has been beneficial to both the environment and the community members; more so for the latter as people who were previously unemployed can now put food on their tables and support their families.”
The project is aimed at making a lasting impact in creating awareness around issues of nature conversation and the preserving of natural resources.