Latest news with #ThabisoMokoena
IOL News
22-07-2025
- General
- IOL News
CapeNature welcomes 475 new participants into Expanded Public Works Programme
L-R: CapeNature's Thabiso Mokoena, Elizabeth Maggot, Jonathan Jasson, Sakumzi Woyikani, and Graham Lewis. Image: CapeNature CapeNature has proudly welcomed 475 enthusiastic new participants into its three-year Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), reaffirming its commitment to skills development, environmental conservation, and community upliftment across the Western Cape. This significant intake was celebrated at Kogelberg Nature Reserve on Mandela Day, 18 July, a date that serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle against poverty and inequality. The event not only marked the beginning of new opportunities for participants but also highlighted the vital role of meaningful employment in fostering social change. The 2023 Mandela Day theme, 'It's still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity,' resonates deeply with CapeNature's goals for the EPWP. The programme aims to address both environmental challenges and socio-economic issues faced by communities throughout the province. By providing a comprehensive platform for training, mentorship, and hands-on experience, CapeNature is poised to make a lasting impact on the lives of participants and their communities. Participants in the EPWP will receive critical training in areas such as invasive species management, wildfire response, biodiversity monitoring, and eco-tourism across various provincial nature reserves. The programme prioritises the inclusion of women, youth, and persons with disabilities, aligning with national targets to support vulnerable groups. Between 2022 and 2025, the programme is set to employ a total of 1,366 participants, offering three-year contracts instead of just one, thereby providing greater job security and opportunities for growth. MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, emphasised the transformative power of the EPWP during the welcoming event. 'During this time, there will be opportunities for training, and you will have the chance to explore your particular interests in conservation, tourism, or working with our many neighbours and stakeholder communities,' he said. Bredell highlighted past successes where participants have made significant advancements in personal development, including securing permanent employment as a direct result of their commitment to the programme. The inspiring stories of past participants illustrate the programme's potential. Thabiso Mokoena, who joined the EPWP after completing his undergraduate diploma, started as an Environmental Education Officer and is now a successful SMME Development Specialist. He attributes his career progression to the valuable skills and mentorship he received through the programme. As CapeNature continues to cultivate a skilled workforce, it remains dedicated to empowering individuals and fostering sustainable development in the Western Cape. This initiative not only invests in people but also in the preservation of nature, proving that meaningful employment can yield profound societal benefits.
IOL News
18-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
South Africa's Unica Iron and Steel lands landmark Indian contract amid industry turmoil
In a moment of rare triumph for South Africa's embattled steel industry, Unica Iron and Steel (Pty) Ltd has secured a major international contract to supply structural steel for a high-profile smart city development in Hyderabad, India. The deal, estimated at more than R500 million, marks a significant victory not only for the company but for the country's push for industrial transformation. What makes this agreement particularly historic is the composition of the engineering team leading Unica's work on the project. All engineers assigned to the Hyderabad development are young black professionals from the townships of Pretoria, including Hammanskraal and Babelegi, where Unica's main operations are based. This team will be responsible for overseeing the fabrication and modular assembly of over 14 000 metric tons of structural steel, destined for Hyderabad's upcoming Innovation and Mobility District. The district is central to India's broader 'Digital Cities' programme and includes a multimodal transport hub, tech incubators, and high-density commercial space.'This is not just steel. This is a symbol of inclusion and excellence,' said Thabiso Mokoena, a 32-year-old civil engineer from Hammanskraal who will lead one of the site teams in India. 'We come from places that were never part of the national industrial conversation. Now, we are building a city.'The project's chief architect, Rajesh Kumar, underscored the significance of Unica's team selection. 'Their proposal stood out not only for its technical merit, but for its deep commitment to transformation. It is rare to see such alignment between business excellence and social progress,' he said. Despite this global breakthrough, Unica is simultaneously locked in a high-stakes battle on the home front. The company has come under scrutiny following a series of raids by the Department of Home Affairs, spurred by anonymous allegations of human trafficking and employment of undocumented workers. In a strongly worded statement this week, Unica described the claims as part of a 'concerted effort by sinister agents' to discredit the company during a sensitive time. 'There have been several site visits by authorities,' said Managing Director Mohammed Qasim. 'None of them resulted in arrests or adverse findings. These allegations are not only false but damaging to our workers and our communities.'Unica has also challenged a previous decision by the Industrial Development Corporation to blacklist the company and its directors. The move followed a forensic audit triggered by a whistleblower report alleging financial irregularities, including payments to entities like KGN Engineering. Unica denied the allegations and won a court interdict in February 2025, temporarily clearing its name. The IDC has since suspended its blacklist pending further judicial review. Still, Qasim insists that the company remains focused on its mission. 'We are proud of what we have built. Our workforce is 96 percent South African. We are proving that industry can grow without compromising on integrity or transformation.' For many in Hammanskraal and Babelegi, this moment is personal. As the steel from South Africa begins to shape a new skyline in Hyderabad, it carries with it the ambitions of communities long sidelined in the country's economy.
