Lifelights for Joe Slovo Residents - South Africa

Mbanga, 15, from Joe Slovo township – one of South Africa’s many informal settlements – has a daily reminder of poverty, being surrounded by the scrapyard of metal sheds that house over 20,000 residents. Among the daily battles she faces, the school girl struggles for light when the sun goes down. However, things recently changed for Mbanga after she received a Lifelight. 

 “I use the light to do my homework at night and am now doing much better in school because of it,” she says proudly.

Mbanga was one of 40 Joe Slovo residents that are either grandmothers or children heading large households, which have benefited from the Lifelights. The residents, who have no access to electricity, received Lifelights earlier this year during a mission by LifeLine Energy and its local partner in the initiative, Children of Fire – a wonderful organisation that helps severely injured burn victims.

Kristine Pearson, chief executive of Lifeline Energy, stated that the Lifelights “brightened” the lives of the families, who normally use candles or paraffin wick lamps for lighting. She says: “The residents feel nervous and stressed about the use of candles and paraffin because of how easily they can tip over and start fires.”  “The make-shift houses are cramped next to one another, with very narrow walkways, which, in most parts, are covered by carpet under-felt,” she explains, adding that “this is the first time I’ve seen this in an informal settlement.”

Fires are common in such settlements, sweeping through the area at terrifying speed and producing dire consequences. According to one South African newspaper, hundreds of people die in informal settlements every year due to fires – many of which are caused by fallen candles.

Situated near Johannesburg University and named after one of South Africa’s most prominent anti-apartheid activists, Joe Slovo township has been mired in controversy since it was established in 1995. Notably, it has witnessed numerous fires.