Power to the People An Efficient Wood Burning Stove Provides Hope to Many Shaldon Ferris (CS STAFF)
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n South Africa, the need for alternative sources of energy is ever apparent as Africa’s business hub continues to face electricity shortages. The last 10 years have been troubling for citizens far and wide, as both residential and commercial properties are often without power. The country’s main supplier of electricity, ESKOM, often reports that the infrastructure is aging and has to shut down portions of the grid. The load on the infrastructure has become unsustainable, based in part on population growth. Since around 1990, many migrants from further north have descended on South African cities like Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town with the hope of securing a better future. In Gauteng, for instance, the population has doubled from approximately 7 million in 1999 to 14 million today. This increase is causing strain on health, transportation, housing, and power systems. Without power, none of these essential services can be delivered to the people. While the country is looking for solutions to increase the power supply, it is now becoming common for its citizens to go to bed without having eaten a home cooked meal. While renewable energy is an option, it is yet to fully materialize. Waiting for solutions to be implemented is not always possible. People on the ground have been working on alternatives to government plans, taking matters into their own hands. Craig Beckett, a San entrepreneur, healer, and artisan, comes to the rescue with a portable stove design based on San traditional knowledge that provides a plan for a warm plate of food. Beckett grew up in Riverlea, Johannesburg, where he spent a large part of his life. His search for his ancestry took him on a journey to the Northern Cape, where he is very active in Indigenous matters, such as the IYX Indigenous Youth Exchange program. In this program, he teaches youth traditional Khoi and San knowledge, language, and customs. In November 2020, 16 youth learned about natural earth building principles, natural remedies, and Indigenous rights of passage through this program. Beckett considers Indigenous traditions and knowledge a source of pride and a foundation for sustainable living, as well as a source of inspiration for business ideas and activities.
CS: Give us a picture of the economic situation of Indigenous Peoples in South Africa today. CB: The economic situation of the people in the southern part
of Africa is very tricky. There are people who live near metros, people who live in rural areas, and people who live in very remote regions. We tend to think that people living in cities are better off, but it’s not like that. We are all living with similar social ills, some of which include substance and alcohol abuse. Economically, we are not a strong people. We rely on the tourism sector in the north, and further south we have many hawkers; a lot of young people resort to crime to make a living. There are others working on cattle farms, game farms, and other farms, but most of these people are not paid well. Some farm workers are still being paid with alcohol as a bonus after a successful baboon or jackal hunt. Even in caves
Cultural Survival: Craig, tell us about your nickname. Craig Beckett: I call myself “The Bushman.” Although some
people today find this term to be derogatory, this is what we were called by colonists, and we soon called each other Bushmen. To me, it is not offensive. I do not believe in clan names, because I believe that my people are one. I was born in Johannesburg, and I have family in the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Namibia, and Botswana.
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Beckett’s stove design.
All photos by Craig Beckett.
