WESSA and Brandvalley and Rietkloof Wind Farms partner to support the development of agripreneurship skills in the communities of Matjiesfontein, Laingsburg and Sutherland.
As the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) celebrates its centenary year, the organisation has announced a new partnership with Red Rocket Energy through the Rietkloof and Brandvalley Wind Farms Community Roots Project. This is an empowering initiative that will equip young people in the Central Karoo and Karoo Hoogland with the skills and opportunities needed to build sustainable livelihoods, whilst strengthening environmental resilience.
“This programme was developed in direct response to what communities told us they need most: opportunities for young people, practical skills that lead to livelihoods, and solutions that strengthen local food security and resilience,” explains Kelly Grace Alcock, Head of Education and Sustainability at WESSA.
“Through extensive community engagement across Sutherland, Laingsburg, and Matjiesfontein, it became clear that young people are eager to participate in building more sustainable futures but often lack access to the training, mentorship, and support needed to do so,” continues Alcock.
By connecting environmental stewardship with enterprise development, the programme aims to nurture a generation of agripreneurs who can contribute to the growth of small-scale agriculture in their respective towns.
“The Brandvalley and Rietkloof Community Roots Project will use WESSA’s Eco-Hub model to bring together environmental learning, practical skills development and community empowerment in a way that creates long-term value. We are not simply training participants; we are creating opportunities for young people to be equipped with the necessary tools to create sustainable livelihoods in their own living environment,” adds Alcock.
The initiative forms part of Red Rocket Energy’s commitment to creating meaningful and lasting socio-economic impact in the communities that host its renewable energy projects.
“This programme will establish community Eco-Hubs in Sutherland, Laingsburg, and Matjiesfontein, creating opportunities for fifteen unemployed youth to participate in accredited training focused on climate-smart agriculture, agribusiness, environmental stewardship, and entrepreneurship,” says Cheryl Persensie, Red Rocket’s Economic Development Compliance Manager.
Beyond training, the Eco-Hubs will serve as community spaces where participants can apply their learning, build enterprises, and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices that strengthen climate resilience within the region.
Contributing to broader efforts to build more resilient communities in the face of environmental and economic challenges, Persensie adds that, “At Red Rocket, we believe that renewable energy projects should create value far beyond the generation of clean electricity. Our partnership with WESSA combines deep expertise in environmental education and community development with our commitment to creating meaningful social impact in the areas where we operate.”
Cindy-Lee Cloete, Chief Executive Officer of WESSA, shares that, “As WESSA marks 100 years of environmental education and action, this partnership reflects the belief that people are at the heart of sustainable change. From experience we know that investing in young people and equipping them with practical skills, knowledge, and opportunities helps to build a future where environmental stewardship, economic participation, and community resilience go hand in hand.”
With WESSA’s second century of impact in motion, it will demonstrate how environmental and renewable energy sectors can enable communities and inspire a generation to take the baton as environmental leaders.
About Red Rocket
With the Mothership located in Cape Town, Red Rocket provides integrated solutions, from design and development to energy production, operation and maintenance, and asset management in South Africa and beyond. Red Rocket is a force to be reckoned with in Africa’s renewable energy market with an excess of 3.861GW of plants currently in operation, under construction, or awarded as a preferred bidder and ready to reach financial close in wind, hydro, and solar developments across the Continent.
About the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA)
WESSA, established in 1926, is one of South Africa’s oldest and most respected environmental non-profit organisations. In 2026, WESSA celebrates its centenary and 100 years of action for nature, continuing a proud legacy of advancing conservation and sustainability through education, advocacy and action that supports both people and the planet.
Through its diverse programmes and strategic local and global partnerships, WESSA has played a pivotal role over the past century in fostering a culture of environmental responsibility and care across South Africa’s landscapes, coastlines, schools and communities. Visit the website to learn more: https://www.wessa.org.za/.
