From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report.

Sashnee Moodley:

Diversified real estate investment trust Emira Properties has implemented several community, social and environmental projects at its regional Wonderpark shopping centre property in Karenpark, Pretoria, and these are providing several benefits for the company, customers and surrounding community. Tasneem Bulbulia tells us more.  

Tasneem Bulbulia:

Wonderpark is Emira’s largest retail asset, and the company has undertaken several initiatives here. Emira chief operating officer Ulana van Biljon expands on the centre.

Emira COO Ulana van Biljon:

Tasneem Bulbulia:

As alluded to, Wonderpark has solar PV, with this being Emira’s largest solar power plant. The construction of solar panels on the roof of the centre was completed in three phases.

The total peak power of the plant is 4.4 MW. It provides about 30% of the centre’s total power.

Van Biljon outlines some of the benefits this plant provides.

Emira COO Ulana van Biljon:

Tasneem Bulbulia:

She also highlights endeavours to bolster this with battery storage.

Emira COO Ulana van Biljon:

Tasneem Bulbulia:

Van Biljon outlines the company’s water and waste initiatives.

Emira COO Ulana van Biljon:

Tasneem Bulbulia:

Wonderpark also boasts its own nursery and vegetable garden.

Further to growing its own vegetables and harvesting these when ready, the centre also donates this produce to local nonprofit organisations within its direct catchment area. Van Biljon expands.

Emira COO Ulana van Biljon:

Tasneem Bulbulia:

Van Biljon highlights how successes from Wonderpark’s initiatives will be used to amplify similar efforts across the company’s portfolio.

Emira COO Ulana van Biljon

Tasneem Bulbulia:

Emira is pursuing new initiatives, with it currently having two healthy beehives on site at the centre. It is aiming to bolster this with another before the end of the year.

Sashnee Moodley:

That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy. Don’t forget to listen to the audio version of our Engineering News daily email newsletter.