Solar TV follows World Cup fever into rural South Africa
7-Jun-2010
Source: Engineering News

The project spearheaded by Solarworld Africa that is donating photovoltaic (PV) systems and television units to communities who would otherwise not have access to the FIFA World Cup. 

MamaEarth director Dr Ruth Rabinowitz said that the companies had elected to work with communities in Nkandla and Nongoma, in KwaZulu-Natal.

"One is in a school in the district from which President Jacob Zuma stems; the other is close to the Zulu king's abode. When the people want i-pv and not only i-gas, one can only hope that their leaders will hear their call."

She said that the South African government had made several "false starts" in providing a power purchase agreement that enticed private developers into energy production, resulting in several "false starts" in providing electrification to rural areas through PV mini-grid systems, or simple household PV systems. 

Rabinowitz said that the project's goal was to follow-up after the World Cup fever with education programmes through TV and DVD, and to use these installations as a base from which to introduce other concepts on sustainable living and development to rural communities.

"We hope to spearhead initiatives that provide integrated solutions addressing Internet connectivity, food production, healthy living, water collection, biogas digesters and job creation." 

However, Rabinowitz noted that the items themselves without follow up and mentoring by donors, media, leaders and non-profit organisations, were of little value once they have served their short-term purpose.