August 2020

During this Women’s Month, Kangnas Wind Farm is shining a light on one of its local woman-owned enterprises that has sprung up to make branded protective masks. Octavia Van den Heever, is one of three local community businesses being supported by the wind farm, to produce masks and generate income, within the community.

“Since the announcement of lockdown by the president in March 2020, some businesses have had to close their doors, resulting in many people losing their jobs, which has created overwhelming uncertainty. This assistance is a light at the end of this dark tunnel – I can put bread on the table again,” explained Octavia Van den Heever, owner of Elvic VP Enterprise.

She went on to explain that in 2005 she started an event management business specialising in hiring out Décor for weddings and parties. “I invested in a sewing machine and an overlocker to make my own tablecloths, runners, overlays and chair covers, but when Covid-19 hit, my business came to a complete standstill, which is how I started to design and make masks.”

“We are assisting these SMME’s by supplying branded material, thread, elastic and inner layer polypropylene or easy fuse iron on vilene. We will then buy-back the completed masks and distribute them to the Department of Education, the Department of Social Development, the District Disaster Management staff working at the road blocks as well as community members. Small, medium, and micro enterprises are among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 crisis. This initiative will allow them to earn an income and continue to support their families during this time,” explained Cheryl Persensie, Economic Development Manager at Kangnas Wind Farm.

All enterprises are required to manufacture 2 667 masks, which amounts to 8 000 masks that will be distributed locally for free by the wind farm.