Episode Description
For the past year, Siphesihle Magagula has been going door-to-door selling solar power. He convinced nearly all of his neighbours to buy a basic solar kit, bringing lights to about 400 homes for the first time. His neighborhood, Nomzamo, never had electricity before — despite being close to South Africa's biggest coal mines and power stations. But some of his clients are disappointed. Their solar kits don’t have enough power to run fridges or TVs. Nomzamo is just one example of South Africa's attempt at a transition away from coal but will it bring justice to the 1.6 million homes that aren't connected to the power grid?
Show Notes
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This episode is part of "Power to Change," a series of stories examining South Africa's transition from coal to renewable energy through the lives of young people living in coal communities. Listen to This Coal Life, an earlier episode in the series.
We partnered with Context News, launched by the Thomson Reuters Foundation, which published a companion piece, written by Kim Harrisberg.
You can visit Peco Power’s website to read more about their solar power devices and their champion network.
If you want to hear more of our award-winning climate storytelling, listen to Zambia’s Sacrifice Zone.
Acknowledgements:
This story was reported by Siya Mokoena and Dhashen Moodley. Production assistance from Mo Isu and Malvin Shabangu. Thanks to Khuthala Environmental Care Group, GreenCape, Peco Power, VOC FM in Ermelo, and the residents of Nomzamo for their support. This episode was edited by Lesedi Mogoatlhe, with help from Kerry Donahue. Original music by Qhamani Sambu at Edible Audio in Cape Town. Sound engineering by Jo Jackson and Mike Rahfaldt. Jo Jackson is our Managing Producer. Clémence Petit Perrot is our Impact Producer with support from impact strategist Andy Jones. Mike Rahfaldt is our Executive Producer. Vuyo Lutseke is our Executive Director.
This episode and the work of Radio Workshop would not be possible without support from the Doc Society, the UMI Fund, the African Climate Foundation, and the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust. Special thanks to Rob Byers, and also thanks to Hindenburg for supporting our projects across Africa with audio editing software.
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