Today, Impact Africa (operating under Lawula Investment) hosted a voluntary knowledge-sharing session joined by the Executive Mayor Cllr Samkelo Janda at the Elliotdale Sport Centre, as part of its community engagement efforts for a proposed offshore exploration project in the Mbhashe Local Municipality.
The session forms part of preliminary steps by Impact Africa to explore the potential for oil and gas resources in the oceans of the Mbhashe LM coast. However, the company emphasized that the session was not only about presenting its interests, but also about listening to the people of Mbhashe.
Impact Africa representative Dr Phindile Masangane said the company is committed to understand the concerns of the community regarding upstream oil and gas activities and to ensuring that cultural values and traditional practices related to the ocean are respected.
The initiative is envisioned to bring a range of potential benefits to the Mbhashe LM communities , including improved economic infrastructure, employment opportunities through social labour initiatives, skills development and broader economic growth.
While speaking at the session, the Executive Mayor Cllr Samkelo Janda commended the initiative for its consultative approach and highlighted the importance of ensuring that any development in this municipality is aligned with the needs and aspirations of Mbhashe communities.
Furthermore, the session marks an important step toward inclusive development and sustainable exploration, with further consultations expected as the project progresses.
