ERM provides IkamvaYouth with Nokero solar lights

6 Jul 2016

In response to a request made by IkamvaYouth, Environmental Resources Management (ERM), a global provider of environmental, health, safety, risk, and social consulting services, provided young people across South Africa involved in IkamvaYouth with Nokero solar lights (a total of 2,000) to help learners study safely after dark. The initiative was made possible through ERM's Foundation (their social investment, not-for-profit arm) which supports various environmental and social projects across the globe.

L-R: Tim Price, ERM senior consultant; Hetile Mabunda, IkamvaYouth communications coordinator; Jacqui Good ERM marketing manager; and Ditiro Huma, IkamvaYouth branch coordinator

At the event held at Kaalfontein Secondary School to hand out the solar lights to some of the Gauteng IkamvaYouth branches, ERM interacted with pupils to discuss career opportunities in the environmental sector, as well as provided knowledge on the importance of sustainability and renewable energy in the South African context. This took place during the IkamvaYouth Winter Schools Programme, a two-week long holiday learning programme.

The remaining lights will be handed out to learners across the country, with similar sessions being run by ERM in Durban and Cape Town in early July.

IkamvaYouth was established in 2003 and equips learners from disadvantaged communities with the knowledge, skills, networks and resources to access tertiary education or employment opportunities once they matriculate. A non-profit organisation, it has 14 branches in five provinces in South Africa in areas such as Khayelitsha, Nyanga and Masiphumelele in the Western Cape, Ivory Park in Gauteng, Chesterville and Umlazi in KwaZulu-Natal.

Studying safely after dark

Jacqui Good, ERM’s marketing manager for sub-Saharan Africa, says that the ERM Foundation is aligned with ERM’s business values around environmental protection and sustainability, and enables ERM and its people to use their expertise, time and financial support to identify, implement and support environmental causes around the world.

Jacqui Good, ERM marketing manager presenting to the Kaalfontein Secondary School learners

“The solar lights allow the learners to continue their studies safely after dark. ERM is proud to be part of this initiative, which is making a positive impact in our communities in South Africa. When IkamvaYouth requested support from ERM to purchase the lights following the tragic death of one of their learners, we were happy to come on board to help find a solution – in particular, a sustainable one,” she explains.

Ditiro Huma, the Gauteng district coordinator of IkamvaYouth said the donation made by ERM will have a positive impact in assisting learners who are studying for their exams.

“We appreciate the relationship we have with ERM, especially in this time when learners are writing exams. Imagine those who do not have electricity at home? This gesture will go a long way to improving that situation,” he says.