The DLO Skills Initiative, which aims to ensure African labour, youth, and women are not left behind in the just energy transition, has partnered with Chinese renewable energy company Longyuan South Africa Renewables to provide 100 unemployed youth in De Aar with training in solar panel cleaning and maintenance.
Graduation. DLO
Over three months, students were taken through both theoretical and practical training to equip them with the basic skills and knowledge required for solar panel cleaning and maintenance.
Youth unemployment in the Northern Cape currently stands at 42.4%. “The province is home to some of the first renewable energy plants in the country, and we see an opportunity to do something beneficial for the communities. The goal for us is to see more local people taking up the various opportunities in the renewable energy sector. I am most proud of the fact that this training went beyond the technical—we also exposed this cohort to opportunities for entrepreneurship, which is important,” said DLO Skills Initiative CEO Linda Mabhena-Olagunju.
De Aar is home to several of the largest renewable energy projects, including the 342MW solar plant that is set to be the largest in South Africa. “We have seen a lot of interest in our students already from various plants in the area and are confident that most will be able to utilize their learning to better their future. During the training, we placed a huge emphasis on entrepreneurship because, ideally, we want to create more entrepreneurs in the area who, in turn, would be in a position to create more jobs.”
Mayor of Emthanjeni Municipality, Cllr Gladwell Nkumbi, praised the initiative, stating: “We welcome the work being done through the DLO Skills Initiative and its partners China Longyuan and Power 1. Youth unemployment remains high in our community and projects like this go a long way to equipping the youth with tangible skills through which they can find employment or become self-employed. We hope to see this programme expanded. De Aar is known for renewable energy, but it is extremely important that its people are trained to be able to take advantage of opportunities in this sector.”
Over and above the three-month training, the DLO Skills Initiative has established an alumni network to facilitate peer support, information sharing, and career advancement opportunities. This network will serve as a platform for continuous learning and collaboration among graduates and industry professionals.
Student testimonials
Zukisani George, one of the graduates of the programme, expressed his gratitude for the training: “I am a young man driven by success and a risk taker in everything that I do, always ready to meet and deal with new challenges. I applied for the DLO Skills Initiative after hearing about it through word of mouth from a friend. I seized the opportunity without hesitation because I enjoy exploring new things and adventures. My experience with the DLO team has been exciting and insightful, as I am new to the solar and renewable energy industry. Our facilitator was patient and supportive throughout the programme, making the learning process engaging and effective. Being introduced to the solar world has taught me the importance of energy conservation, especially as the world is evolving toward sustainable solutions. I am grateful for this opportunity and hope that DLO expands this programme to other regions to benefit even more youth.”
Another graduate, Nompumelelo Mabiza, highlighted the programme’s impact on her personal and professional growth: “I applied for the DLO training to gain a skill that will contribute to building my community, particularly by creating business opportunities for young leaders who are committed to making a positive change. DLO has been a great experience for me—I have gained confidence, perseverance, and leadership skills that will help me navigate challenging situations. This training has empowered me to become a proactive leader in my community, and I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.”
Source: DLO
