The strain and danger of studying by candlelight will be a thing of the past for 70 East London pupils living in informal settlements after they were given solar lamps yesterday.The lamps, accompanied by fictional books for each child, were a gift by Mahindra South Africa (MSA) in conjuction with Rotary South Africa and The Motorland Group.
MSA inititated the donation as part of their social responsibility programme, which aims to light up the lives of less fortunate matric pupils.
The company will supply about 5000 lamps and pencil bags to matric pupils at selected schools countrywide.
Motorland dealer principal Steve Chandler said the motivation for the initiative was that poor lighting at night made studying difficult, which in turn had a negative effect on the pupil’s performance at school.
“It is unfortunate that many of our people do not have access to electricity, resulting in students often having to study by candle light or paraffin lamps.
“This is not ideal and poor lighting at night time must surely have a negative effect on students’ concentration and focus whilst studying,” Chandler said.
Pupils said they were elated at the idea of being able to study at night without the risk of burning down their homes and also without incurring extra electricity costs.
Unathi Funda, from Mzamomhle in Gonubie, said she was grateful for the lamps and that the book would encourage her to read more.
Zandile Belem from Mdantsane said they had a big problem with izinyoka.
“We call it shack loading and when that happens it can take up to a week for the power to come back. These lamps will come in handy during those days,” Belem said.
Although Sibulele Ntlebi from Quigney does not live in an informal settlement she said she appreciated the efforts made by MSA and Rotary.
“I know we have electricity but many of the pupils here don’t and that does make things a bit difficult for them.
“I also appreciate that big corporates do spare a thought for us, because our school is still developing,” Ntlebi said.
Relief for pupils with gift of solar lighting
The lamps, accompanied by fictional books for each child, were a gift by Mahindra South Africa (MSA) in conjuction with Rotary South Africa and The Motorland Group.
MSA inititated the donation as part of their social responsibility programme, which aims to light up the lives of less fortunate matric pupils.
The company will supply about 5000 lamps and pencil bags to matric pupils at selected schools countrywide.
Motorland dealer principal Steve Chandler said the motivation for the initiative was that poor lighting at night made studying difficult, which in turn had a negative effect on the pupil’s performance at school.
“It is unfortunate that many of our people do not have access to electricity, resulting in students often having to study by candle light or paraffin lamps.
“This is not ideal and poor lighting at night time must surely have a negative effect on students’ concentration and focus whilst studying,” Chandler said.
Pupils said they were elated at the idea of being able to study at night without the risk of burning down their homes and also without incurring extra electricity costs.
Unathi Funda, from Mzamomhle in Gonubie, said she was grateful for the lamps and that the book would encourage her to read more.
Zandile Belem from Mdantsane said they had a big problem with izinyoka.
“We call it shack loading and when that happens it can take up to a week for the power to come back. These lamps will come in handy during those days,” Belem said.
Although Sibulele Ntlebi from Quigney does not live in an informal settlement she said she appreciated the efforts made by MSA and Rotary.
“I know we have electricity but many of the pupils here don’t and that does make things a bit difficult for them.
“I also appreciate that big corporates do spare a thought for us, because our school is still developing,” Ntlebi said.
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