Kuyasa wins again

2009/11/16

The Kuyasa Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project, a joint partnership between the City of Cape Town, the National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and the South African Export Development Fund, has recently received its second award of 2009. The first award, the Energy Project Award, was awarded as part of the South African National Energy Association Energy Awards 2009 held earlier this year. The second award, the Kamoso Award, is dedicated to National, Provincial, Local Government and Public Bodies that have excelled in implementing the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), a South African National Government programme aimed at providing poverty and income relief, through temporary work, for the unemployed to carry out socially useful activities.

The Kuyasa CDM project, Africa’s first CDM project, was awarded gold standard status under the Kyoto Protocol due to its contribution to sustainable development. The pilot project involves the retrofitting of 2300 low-cost houses in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. Retrofitting activities include the installation of solar water heaters, insulated ceilings and energy efficient lighting. The project has created 85 full-time jobs and each employee has received accredited training through the project. Other community benefits include an Edu-tourism facility, micro-enterprise development, improved energy efficiency and reduced health burden. The project is funded by the EPWP and by the Western Cape Provincial Department of Housing and implemented by the South African Export Development Fund, who also underwrites the budget. 

ICLEI Africa would like to congratulate Kuyasa on these successes. Special mention must be afforded to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and the project implementer, the SAEDF, for their dedication and innovation.

For more on the Kuyasa CDM project, see: www.kuyasacdm.co.za or email: kuyasacdm@telkomsa.net.