The Masia Village Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus Project is a collaborative effort to address the interconnected challenges of water, energy, and food security in the rural community of Masia, Limpopo Province. The project, part of the Department of Science and Innovation’s Special Ministerial Community Projects, aims to empower the community by providing access to technologies and resources that improve efficiency in all three sectors.

The Department of Science and Innovation promotes the creation of enabling environments for community projects that have relevance to the Water-Energy-Food nexus. The Masia Multi-purpose  centre, in Masia village has provided an opportunity for such an enabling environment. The village is situated in the Vhembe district Municipality of the Limpopo Province.

The primary objectives of the Masia Village project are:

• To promote locally developed Intellectual Property (IP) relevant
to the Water-energy-Food nexus
• To enable the market success of the IP and other Renewable
and Sustainable Energy technologies
• To support youth entrepreneurs
The infrastructure projects planned for deployment at Masia
village include:
• A hydroponics tunnel for high quality produce and efficient
water usage
• A fruit tree nursery to support emerging small farmers
• An Agro-processing facility
• A borehole for water provision

The project is powered through:

• A 20 kW solar PV system
• A 1kW CPV system
• A 5 kW Hydrogen Fuel System with an on-site electrolyser

The project partners and roles:

Department of Science and Innovation (DSI): Funding and Project support
Agriculture research council (ARC): Research, deployment of agriculture infrastructure and training
DSI’s renewable and Sustainable Energy Hub at Stellenbosch University (CRSES): Research, Co-ordination of stakeholder engagement
Masia traditional authority: Implementation site and project support
Bambili Advisory: H2 fuel cell installation and training
Nelson Mandela University (NMU): Deployment of CPV system
South African National Development Institute (SANEDI):  DSI energy Secretariat
National Youth Development Agency (NYDA):  Youth Business Development
University of Venda (UniVen): Stakeholder engagement