SUSTAINABILITY

LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

We love our beautiful and colorful country, it is memorable for any tourist that comes from abroad and even our fellow African neighbouring countries.

As each state faces its challenges, we also have our own crises that are unavoidable. It may be beautiful to gaze at the stars in the dark but it is not a pretty picture if the power is cut-off constantly. Living in the dark can never become a norm no matter how you look at it. For households and businesses, power cuts are disruptive and cause a lot of damage. Is there a solution to this nightmare? Eskom is still struggling today as it did with our first recognition of loadshedding in 2014.

Last year, South Africa struck a R131 billion deal with the EU, France, Germany, the UK, and the US at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) which will help with repurposing and repowering some of the coal plants reaching the end of their lives among other things, this is according to our president, President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Mr Daniel Mminile was appointed as the head of the Presidential Climate Finance Task Team to lead the mobilization of funds for the transition to “ a sustainable, inclusive, resilient and lowcarbon economy”, this might be an indication that our president is understanding the importance and the opportunities that arise from green energy.

President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged that South Africa is located in one of the regions of the world which is most affected by climate change and this implies an

NEO ENZEL

SWAZILAND SOLECTRIC INSTALLATION TEAM AND NATIONAL DIRECTOR urgent need for renewable energy. Loadshedding is also a serious problem in the country increasing the need for off-thegrid energy alternatives, our president also acknowledged that renewable energy will make electricity cheaper and more dependable.

Google has invested R15 billion in Africa at a time when the economic atmosphere in terms of foreign direct investments is not looking good. Reports suggest that foreign direct investments are now sluggish which is attributable to the global pandemic.

Google’s R15 billion investment, is different in its approach, there sure are anticipated returns on all investments, as the giant search engine possesses ample data for one to assume that their investments are carefully measured which implies that Africa has potential.

Google and the World Bank’s International Finance Corporations’ joint report forecasted a R2.7 trillion “e-conomy” value that Africa would reach by 2025. Therefore, Africans should read between the lines understanding that business opportunities and careers are foreseen to be scaling in the digital industry.

Google’s Managing Director for the Sub-Saharan Africa, Mr Nitin Gajria admitted while he was speaking to CNN that there is going to be an increase in Africa’s youth rising than in any other state in the world as this target market in the technology industry is the future generation.

Around the world women are taking a stand and it is a slow but growing industry recognition within the energy sector. Eisha Mohammed, is a solar engineer in Mjimwema, a remote village in Tanzania. She installs and repairs solar equipment, bringing electricity to many homes in her village. She spent six months training to be a solar engineer at the Barefoot College in India, supported by UN Women and the Government of India. This is one of many that are making a difference in the lives of communities and a light to the women youth who are studying and aspiring to fulfill the same goals and bring solutions.

Let’s take our front row seats and bring “Light” to our livelihoods through the education, support and spreading the green energy conversation into action.

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