Net1 Mobile Solutions (N1MS) has developed a solar WiFi lamp for rural communities, in a move it hopes will drive connectivity and education in communities with little or no access to electricity.
The pioneering solar-powered lantern, dubbed Sun-e-light, was released to the market on Mandela Day last week, when N1MS partnered with local organisations to hand out care-packs - including the lamps - to pupils of Jon Kotlolo School, in Nelmapius.
Version one of Sun-e-light features a torch, lantern and cellphone charging port. Version two, says N1MS MD Philip Belamant, will include a built-in SIM card and act as a WiFi hotspot. The company plans to release the WiFi version "in the next few months" and is currently in negotiations with undisclosed entities to be able to offer free connectivity. The device itself will cost in the region of R300.
"There is a huge drive in SA at the moment to further education, but there are people that are going home to no light to see by at night. We want to bring light and education into homes - something we hope will be possible with our WiFi lantern," says Belamant.
Although the target market is SA's lower living standards measure (LSM) communities, urban households that are prone to load shedding could also find a use for the solar device, says Belamant. "We also hope it will move households away from the use of paraffin lamps."
The lamp takes about six hours to charge - through a small panel that connects to the device via a three metre cable - and lasts up to 16 hours.
"Sun-e-light gives learners the illumination and the access to information that they need to complete their education."
N1MS - a subsidiary of the dual-listed Net1 Group - says it will be distributing the solar lamp at schools and tertiary educational facilities across SA in the coming months.
Share