Global specialist in energy management, Schneider Electric, took action on this year’s Mandela Day by empowering two communities through rural electrification solutions, entrepreneurial training, and donating nourishment to nurture the bodies and minds of South Africa’s poorer children.
In partnership with the University of Johannesburg (UJ), representatives from both the academic institution and Schneider Electric travelled to the village of Gwakwani, located in Venda in Limpopo Province.
“Together with UJ, we installed solar lighting solutions in 30 homes in the village, and also trained entrepreneurs to sell and maintain our solar powered portable LED lamps with mobile phone charger, the Mobiya TS 120S,” says Zanelle Dalglish, head of Sustainable Development at Schneider Electric.
She explains that the Mobiya TS 120S is especially suited for the demanding rural environment of Gwakwani as it is an energy efficient, eco friendly and robust portable lamp producing 120-lumen light output. The donation has enabled access to energy, in that the community would no longer need to rely on candles as their primary source of lighting.
“With the proliferation of mobile technology in South Africa, the lamp is also ideal as it is equipped with a mobile phone charger that includes a USB port, enabling users to charge their mobile phones any time,” she continues. “Working in collaboration with UJ is in line with our sustainable development strategy, which focuses on partnering with other businesses, NGOs, NPOs and funders to establish an electrification model for off-grid communities.”
In addition, Schneider Electric donated food parcels made up of non-perishable goods to the community.
“In Johannesburg, Schneider Electric continued its ongoing work to uplift the Emthonjeni community, a Zandspruit informal settlement situated in Honeydew.. This year, our focus was education and fostering the future possibilities for children living in this community. Education for these children takes place in containers, and so we provided lighting solutions for these classrooms, which tend to be very dark – an obstacle to both teaching and learning,” says Dalglish.
Furthermore, the staff of Schneider Electric got first-hand knowledge of the community and spent the day engaging with the children. The company also contributed 85kg of porridge to the existing food programme in the community, called FACT [Feed a Child Today], helping the learners start their day on a full tummy.
Dalglish points out: “Importantly, for Schneider Electric, this is not a once off initiative. We have firm bonds with this community and have a continuous programme to support the people living in this area. By giving our time, skills and resources, and taking part in the food programme going forward, we hope we have made Madiba proud and honoured his legacy.”
Mandela Day is celebrated annually in honour of Nelson Mandela on his birthday, 18 July.
