Johannesburg - Longyuan South Africa Renewables held an Open Day to accentuate all the work that they have done in a new energy sphere, as well as promote and showcase the various South African spheres.
Themed ‘Rainbow to the Future,’ the Open Day saw several stakeholders, including heads of departments from China as well as Longyuan employees who shared how the energy company has alleviated the circumstances of their daily lives.
With the China National Energy Group Longyuan Power vigorously developing wind power and photovoltaic in South Africa, China and South Africa attach great importance to environmental protection and green development, and Chinese enterprises are actively promoting clean energy construction in South Africa.
China stands ready to work with South Africa to move China-South Africa ties forward toward a deeper level with higher quality and a broader scope.
It is also explained that China and South Africa share a wide range of common interests in global economic recovery and governance.
President Cyril Ramaphosa proposed that South Africa will achieve an adequate, secure, and reliable energy supply within two years by accelerating its integrated energy plan with a focus on renewable energy.
Employee of Longyuan South Africa, Deswin Basson, explained how working for the company has assisted his community: "The Longyuan De Aar wind project, as well as other renewable energy companies, helped many people from my local community, from my family members and friends and small businesses, schools, to building a mobile clinic, creating jobs, and many more (aspects). I would like to encourage the young people from De Aar to follow their dreams by enrolling in the Longyuan bursary programme. Renewable energy is the future, and I just hope that the partnership between Longyuan and South Africa keeps growing."
Renowned music artist, Ifani, was also part of the open day and shared his interest in technology and the various advancements.
"When People’s Daily Online SA approached me to take a trip with them to visit the wind farm in De Aar, I jumped at the opportunity as I had always seen wind farms from a distance but never explored the inner workings of one."
He also spoke about his trip to China: "On my trip to China in 2019, I had seen vast numbers of wind farms on my cross-country travels and it crossed my mind in wonderment to have a closer look at one. However, we did not have time to visit one in China. There I was now, presented with this opportunity. On arrival, we went to the wind farm for a site visit. I was immediately intrigued by the mammoth size of each turbine."
Cedric Frolick, the current House Chairperson for Committees, Oversight, and ICT in the National Assembly of Parliament for the Republic of South Africa, also commented.
"The youth are an important force in building a shared future between China and South Africa. The hope of a long-term friendship between the Chinese and South African people rests on the young generation. Developed economies must honour their commitments to those countries with the greatest need and that confront the greatest environmental, social, and economic effects of climate change.
“Developed economies must honour their commitments to those countries with the greatest need and that confront the greatest environmental, social, and economic effects of climate change. The multilateral development banks need to be reformed to meet the needs of developing economies for sustainable development and climate resilience," Frolick said.
The Star