EMPOWERING KHAI-MA’S WOMEN THROUGH RENEWABLE ENERGY
Women in the Khai-Ma area of the Northern Cape are growing, learning, and leading through opportunities created at a small Pofadder-based engineering business, Silo ‘n Sons.
The business was started in 2015 by Alistair Silo and Ruzaan van Heerden who both believe that locals, especially women, have untapped skills and talent. With support from Konkoonsies Solar Power’s enterprise development programme, Silo ‘n Sons has grown to take on new work in renewable energy and infrastructure, creating opportunities for local employment.
The company currently employs a core team of 35 to 40 locals, mostly women, as well as six trainees for mechanical assembly, nine labourers for infrastructure projects, and eight skilled steel fixers.
“We deliberately hire local women to help empower them, to build their knowledge and confidence, and to prove that they can lead. It is about showing Khai-Ma’s women their potential,” says Ruzaan van Heerden.
In addition to an 18-month table tilting contract secured with the solar plant, the enterprise development support has enabled the confirmation of a handful of new contracts with Eskom, linked to power line upgrade projects. The company also plan on approaching construction companies in the Upington area, to offer their services, while establishing a satellite office in the town.
For Alistair Silo, the support has changed the future of the business. “The support from Konkoonsies Solar Power has opened doors for our growing team. We now plan to invest in a mobile office and ablution facilities for our future multi-site operations.”
Silo ‘n Sons’ willingness to take initiative and their commitment to building the Khai-Ma community stood out for Konkoonsies Solar Power. “From the start, they have shown a strong work ethic, understood the work well, and wanted to grow their team by investing in local people,” says Glen Berkat, Social Specialist at Konkoonsies Solar Power.
“More importantly, we are proud to see local women being given opportunities to lead and grow through this business, as this aligns with our broader goals around inclusive development,” he added.
This small business offers local people opportunities, skills training, and hope for the future. Supporting it was an easy choice, as their commitment to job creation and skills development aligns closely with the solar plant’s goal of helping to reduce youth unemployment in the Khai-Ma area.
Note: Table tilting refers to adjusting the angle of solar panels to optimise sunlight exposure and to maximise electricity generation efficiency. The work takes place twice a year, during summer and winter, and the contract was first secured in September 2025.