Rejoice Mabudafhasi, the Deputy-Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs today launched an Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) that not only promotes jobs and training but energy efficiency adaptation as well. The Kuyasa Clean Development Mechanism Project is the first of its kind in the country and the world’s first Gold Standard Project. It is a pioneering model that will see a sustainable financial mechanism in place to ensure energy efficiency adaptations as standard for low income housing. More than 2000 homes will directly benefit from this initiative.

Mabudafhasi said the project should be seen within the context of Government’s pledge to deliver a better life to all.

“Our democratic government is determined and dedicated to improving the lives of all our people, irrespective of race, religion, creed and so forth. This has motivated us to tackle the scourge of unemployment head-on. We are pulling all the resources at our disposal to achieve this goal.

The Kuyasa housing development is a shinning example of the successes of our endeavours to create a better life for all. In the past fifteen years more than 2, 5 million low-income homes and we are targeting a further 3 million by 2025. The small business development, job creation and community empowerment benefits of the project are massive. The project has created 85 fulltime job opportunities for women, youth and the disabled and over 16 500 temporary jobs. It is encouraging that the community has taken ownership of the project in line with its motto- Siyazenzela (We are doing it for ourselves)”, said Mabudafhasi.

The project aims to reduce fossil fuel based consumption, and hence carbon dioxide emissions. This is done through three interventions in low-income housing units. These are the installation of solar energy heaters, the retrofitting of compact fluorescent light bulbs and the introduction of ceiling insulation. The benefits of the project are multi-faceted. These include reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and respiratory-related diseases and saving in the cost of energy services

The energy savings of the project allows it to be registered as a CDM under the Kyoto Protocol. This means it gains carbon credits. As part of the business plan, income generated from the CDM’s Carbon Emission Reduction certificates allows for the creation of a non-profit trust for the maintenance of the solar water heaters. This creates more employment opportunities in the long-term. The
success of this project is likely to lead to the retrofitting of the country’s other two million low-cost homes and further promote energy saving, emissions reductions and the local manufacture of solar heaters.

Mabudafhasi said the extensive use of the clean development mechanism intervention will lead to the reduction of pollution caused by the use of non-renewable energy sources.

“We simply cannot afford not to roll-out energy efficiency intervention in the low income housing sector. Currently, an estimated three million households make use of firewood to meet their basic energy requirements. There is huge potential to increase the contribution of renewable energy to the total energy mix. This can only contribute to improving the lives of all the people.”

Mabudafhasi is the chairperson of the Global Network of Women Ministers and Leaders of Environment.

Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi’s speech can be accessed through this link.