About us
Who We Are
The Letsatsi Borutho Trust was established by Droogfontein Solar Power (Pty) Ltd (also known as the Droogfontein plant or the Droogfontein project company) as part of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer (REIPP) programme implemented by the government to assist in alleviating South Africa’s electricity shortage.
The Trust owns 4% of the Droogfontein plant. The Trust owns this share through its ‘trust company’. This means that when profits are made by the Droogfontein plant, the trust receives 4% of it. This is paid in ‘dividends’ to the trust company and then on to the Trust.
However, the Trust had to take loans to buy its 4% share in the Droogfontein plant. For several years from the time the trust was established, this debt had to first be paid with almost all the funds received by the trust. In 2019, the loans were finally settled, and the trust was able to start funding more community development projects.
The Trust is an independent entity that is governed by trustees who have been appointed to ensure that it is run in an effective, efficient, responsible, and accountable way.
Our Focus
Enterprise Development
Youth Education and
Life Skills
Social Development
Tertiary Education and
Skills Development
GIVING TO THE COMMUNITY
What We Do
The Letsatsi Borutho Trust supports social and economic advancement within a 50-kilometer radius from the Droogfontein Solar Power plant. The Trust does this by partnering with local people and their organisations to build strong, vibrant, safe, and prosperous communities that have more social and economic equality than in the past. It supports community-driven initiatives through grantmaking, capacity building, and other activities.
The Trust also runs its own programmes including programmes to support young people in school and out of school develop life skills that prepare them to be job-ready or ready to participate in further education and skills development opportunities and giving educational and skills development bursaries to young people.
In addition, the Trust has set up a standing disaster relief fund to be able to respond to unexpected emergencies that affect communities as they arise, which it has used to respond to urgent community needs such as during the COVID-19 crisis, for example. It was able to provide food and blankets to those who were not able to benefit from feeding schemes which had to close and provide protective equipment to enable feeding schemes to resume their activities.
GIVING TO THE COMMUNITY
What We Do
The Letsatsi Borutho Trust supports social and economic advancement within a 50-kilometer radius from the Droogfontein Solar Power plant. The Trust does this by partnering with local people and their organisations to build strong, vibrant, safe, and prosperous communities that have more social and economic equality than in the past. It supports community-driven initiatives through grantmaking, capacity building, and other activities.
The Trust provides grants to organisations that apply for support to run these activities. Grants are given through a competitive process where many groups apply, and their applications are assessed in comparison to each other, normally through an open call for grant applications.
The Trust also runs its own programmes including programmes to support young people in school and out of school develop life skills that prepare them to be job-ready or ready to participate in further education and skills development opportunities and giving educational and skills development bursaries to young people.
Our Trustees
Willie Van Niekerk
Willie was an admitted attorney and conveyancer with his own practice and was also involved in a number of small businesses and renewable...
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Hlengiwe Radebe
Hlengiwe was appointed by De Aar Solar Power, in her capacity of Economic Development Director for Globeleq South Africa Management Servi...
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Thabo Legalamitlwa
Thabo is an experienced person with over 10 years in the field of Finance and Administration. In his current role, Thabo is responsible f...
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Oswald Swartz
Bishop Swartz is the 12th Bishop of the Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. Prior to his enthrone...
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