Jobs4Carbon (J4C) is a Non-Profit Company established in Vanwyksdorp during the year, 2020. J4C was based on, and is the continuation of, the well-known flagship initiative of the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve, operating in the Klein Karoo. The literal expression of the project is the physical planting of the magical oxygen-producing-carbon-sequestrating Spekboom plant (Portulacaria Afra).

J4C has expanded its activities to include various other methods of improving the environment. These include the implementation of soil restoration methods and erosion prevention methods.  The implementation of flood protection measures, water infiltration improvement measures, alien invasive plant clearing, and wetland protection are the other focus projects. The establishment of food gardens at participating schools and in the Vanwyksdorp community, is a more recent addition to our activities and environmental education is on-going.

Jobs4Carbon is a wonderful example of how well-funded, expertly implemented projects, using local people, can have far-reaching and lasting benefits for both the environment and its people. These benefits have gone far beyond the original expectation with J4C having been awarded twice for excellence in conservation.

Projects have successfully been completed with reports that show the excellence and effectiveness of the roll out of these projects. We pride ourselves on the efficiency and transparency of our methods with regards to the spending of funds and by the achievement of all the measurable outputs and targets within the time frames prescribed by those funders.

Much of our success has to do with the management of the team members. They are continuously trained and up-skilled far beyond normal standards. Building their capacity and confidence and helping them to become the skilled individuals that they are today, has always been a priority. The training also includes social skills development and practice. Many supplementary training courses have been attended by team members be better equip them to become a positive influence in their community. The confidence displayed in their work, filters through to their personal and family lives. These positive effects can be seen in their children at the local school: confident parents lead to more stability and happiness in the home.

The indirect benefits of Jobs4Carbon were far-reaching and impossible to quantify. In addition to job creation and the restoration of the land, Jobs4Carbon through it projects have influenced and permeated throughout the local and neighbouring Calitzdorp community as well. It has brought about a tangible positive change to the lives of individuals, directly and indirectly, involved in the projects. This is all besides the obvious benefits of restoring the degraded landscape with Spekboom, implementing an environmental education program and doing hectares of alien invasive plant clearing, soil and erosion control and wetland protection. Trite as it may sound, these projects are, in essence, about healing that which has been damaged: healing broken and dying landscapes, AND healing broken, marginalised, and isolated communities.

The personal growth and development of the individual team members working on the Jobs4Carbon projects, was and is, one of the company’s greatest successes. The Jobs4Carbon team members have had various opportunities to represent Jobs4Carbon on public platforms. This allows them to develop and build their confidence. They have excelled and have truly mastered the skill of being ambassadors to their projects, company, and environment. Not only has Jobs4Carbon added incredible value to the lives of its team members, but it has also demonstrated over time, the incredible work ethic nurtured in them. On numerous occasions members of the Jobs4Carbon teams have prioritised the success of the project over their desires, selflessly volunteering to help after hours towards the projects and the company.