Local youth entrepreneur empowers community through job creation

Luvaine Ruiters, a young entrepreneur from Noupoort, has used the skills gained through her solar energy training to employ youths from the community through her company - Riette Ruiters Services. 

Ruiters gained skills and knowledge through local development programmes, including Noupoort Wind Farm's Construction Training and the Youth Entrepreneurship Start-Up development programmes.

She recently secured a tender to build structures and install photovoltaic (PV) modules for a local solar energy company. 

Her company is  a 100 percent black, youth, and female-owned company co-founded with her business partner Riette Matthews.

The company employs 40 people from the community, including 11 women and 29 men, to perform construction and solar module installation work for ABC Solar.

"Receiving this tender is a significant achievement and a proud moment for me. The training I received through Business Ezone Ventures and Noupoort Wind Farm gave me the knowledge, confidence, and support I needed to turn my goals into reality," said Ruiters. 

She emphasised the importance of creating job opportunities, particularly for women.

"Creating job opportunities is incredibly fulfilling. It's also a way for me to give back to my community and contribute to the local economy. Employing women is particularly significant, as it promotes gender equality and empowers young women in this field," she said.

With a strong vision for the future, Ruiters aims to grow her company and continue making an impact in the renewable energy sector. Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to be proactive and persistent. "It's important to seek out training and mentorship opportunities, build strong networks, and stay focused on your goals," she said.