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APPLIED KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Sunny Africa with its vibrant cultures and eagerness to develop into an economic giant, faces an energy crisis. Media reports that in 2019 estimated that 44% of its 1.35-billion population does not have access to electricity. I ask myself the question: “How is a continent like Africa, with the most suitable conditions for harnessing solar energy to solve electricity shortages, still stay in the dark?”

This is concerning, especially when one considers that alternative energy sources, such as solar energy, which could be a viable solution for the continent, started gaining global mainstream popularity since 2005. To add fuel to the fire, a beautiful country like South Africa still exports a large percentage of its coal resources and yet it still has a shortage for its own power output. As the most modernised country in Africa, the Republic of South Africa still experiences load shedding, which by definition is a measure of last resort to prevent the collapse of the power system country-wide.

I recently explored going off-grid for a number of reasons: the first being to be solely dependent on my own responsible use of energy, secondly to not be dependent on a PowerStation that can decide when to ration out electricity I have paid for and lastly to secure a better future for my children and their children by being friendly to mother earth and going green. The barrier that off the grid living presented to me was a shock and made me realise that the real reason behind the slow uptake of more people living off solar power is in the affordability.

Through our network of technology experts and innovators, I managed to connect with the founder of Solectric Power, Fred Ngeri who shared an innovative light at the end of the tunnel. An affordable power solution that requires minimal installation fees, mobile and makes sense to an ordinary home owner like me. Founder and CEO of Soletric Power, Fred Ngeri solution of powering homes by using solar power and being smart about saving electricity shows that there is an alternative to the conventional unreliable coal powered electricity. Having rolled out their solution in Swaziland and offering home owners opportunities such as financing plan and option to purchase the units and solar panels, the question of affordability no longer exists. It is true to say that knowledge is power, however applied knowledge is true power.

NEO ENZEL

Visit: www.solectric.co.za

Nutrition and wellness over the festive season

Kholeka Mkhize shares useful tips

We’re at the tail end of 2021 and right now most people are looking forward to the holidays, mostly in hopes for a bit of relief from physical and mental exhaustion.

One has put down goals to be achieved at the beginning of the year and as one sits down to review those goals and realises that half or a quarter of those goals are ticked and the rest still remain to be carried over into the new year. If you find that all the goals you set out are achieved, well congratulations for the great achievement!!! Most people and companies have been in a major battle this year due to the effects of the lockdown and COVID-19. Each one of us had to rise above the norm and think outside the box to come up with extra-ordinary initiatives to make it in business and in life generally. As a result, the exhaustion felt right now is somehow unbearable and a good holiday is in order to recoup and be ready to strategise for the new year ahead.

“Make Your

Mark”Looking after your health this festive season will be a good start to make your mark, feel better, look better and perform better in the coming year. It’s human nature to have the sense of rewarding oneself after a long year or achievements, and food plays a major role in the rewards celebration; so it is best to also prepare and organise the nutritional celebrations.

Here’s some different things to be mindful of that have a big positive impact on our health:

1. Budget: Currently the economic environment for most people is unfavourable so plan the celebration menu.

• Have a planned menu for the festive season and consider visitors – that’s if any are. • Don’t cheat the menu when in store making purchases, be disciplined and stick to the list to avoid buying unnecessary items. • Don’t stretch the budget just because of “the 13th cheque”, commission or bonus. • Snacks, drinks (including alcohol) and condiments must be part of the menu and budget.

2. Holiday food

• As one plans the holiday budget whether staying at home, visiting family and friends or going on vacation ensure that the food or meals are planned for as well. • If travelling with your own vehicle, especially for long distances, food will be an essential part of the trip. Eating in restaurants along the way can be a bit expensive and unhealthy if one does not plan well.

One should familiarise themselves with restaurants/ take-away places along the way and their respective menus. You can make selections according to budget and stick to the healthier variety of food.

Avoid meals/combos on the menu as they normally offer fried chips, fried onion rings and cold-drinks; rather choose salads, low carb food and juices/water. • It’s always best to buy and prepare at home and pack for the road; that way the type of food, portion sizes and preparation methods can be controlled. On the road there are plenty safe places to stop and eat home prepared food (which you can also plan ahead), ensure to select stops where there’s access to running water to rinse utensils and wash of hands. • Prepare plenty of prepacked snacks that you can nibble on en-route to your destination. These can be rather filling and reduce eating stops on the way especially if it’s a long trip to the coast, the bush or a safari or in-land. • Braai/barbeque meat is delicious and juicy – and there’s plenty to go around over the festive season.

However, over indulgence can contribute to gout, cancer, obesity and heart diseases, so best to consider some substitutes or put some limits to how much you consume.

4. Seasonal food

• Summer in the southern hemisphere also means it’s the season of colour and plenty of food naturally. • Eat plenty of fruits that are in season. • These seasonal fruits are packed with beneficial nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. • Pick fresh and mildly ripened fruits as most of them complete their ripening cycle even on a table rack. • Pick the brightest in natural colour; the brighter the more vitamins. The ones with wrinkles means older, therefore, low nutrient quality.

5. Pay attention to appetite

• It’s very easy to overeat during the festive season if not disciplined. A company of friends/family, movies, or relaxed environment often makes one want to just soothe the mouth with some treats. Listen carefully to the cues from the tummy and only eat when really hungry. • Drinking water is a better way of distancing cravings, it rehydrates the body, especially in a season of very hot weather and is very healthy.

Remember you are what you eat, make good nutritional healthy choices, get some fresh air and exercise to keep healthy. Wishing all MentHer readers a wonderful festive season and a productive new year.

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Emotional Resilience to make your mark

By Joni Peddie

Set yourself up each morning in your morning shower with one of these 7 simple ER (Emotional Resilience) techniques

The tiniest problem, added to the turbulence of ‘living through a pandemic’ can seem like way too much! These can be the irritations of running out of milk for your early morning nectar/coffee, a burst geyser or a flat car battery.

These examples and many more …are the ups and down of life. If we want to deal calmly, and productively with challenges and adversity we need ER: Emotional Resilience! ER helps us ‘step into the day’, handle daily life stresses and calmly ‘make your mark on the world. Research shows that people who calmly handle daily life stresses are also far better able to manage major life crises.

‘Every game in life is actually played on the 6 inch ground – between your two ears. We live in our mind which is an unlimited area. Life is great when things are sorted and uncluttered there.’ -

Martina Navratilova

Emotional Resilience tips for your morning shower:

Day One: Flip your thinking 180 degrees

Our brains are wired to fear issues and hence protect us. What’s worrying you? Your brain will easily go to the ‘problematic’ issue/things that need solving.