Namene is proud to partner with Absa bank to provide life-changing solar lights for school children living in rural South Africa, where access to electricity is expensive and often unreliable. 

Absa, a pan-Africa financial services provider, purchased over 15,000 Namene solar lights as part of their corporate social responsibility efforts. 

Absa purchased the lights largely to be donated to students in schools in South Africa’s rural regions, with a small number of the lights being used for their marketing and sponsored events. 

Solar lights for South African schools 

For young learners living in off-grid communities, the solar lights will have huge benefits. One is that they provide a renewable and sustainable source of light to study after dark. As a result, students don’t rely on kerosene lamps or expensive battery-powered torches often used during load shedding blackouts, or when no other source of lighting is available. 

The first batch of these life-changing lights have already been delivered to Mlingo High School, Manzengwenya, in rural northern KwaZulu-Natal province.

The event was a day of smiles and celebration, organised and hosted by Qhubeka, a charity supported by Absa, which provides bicycles for students to use to get safely to and from school, to help them improve their attendance and education outcomes. 

Absa’s first generous donation provided 156 solar lights – enough for every student and teacher in the school. 

The lights were specially designed in collaboration with Absa, and produced by Namene’s team to incorporate Absa’s standout branding. Specifically,  their brand colours and logo feature across the front of the solar light casing and on the head strap. Additionally this head strap converts the light into a portable head torch.

Namene and Absa supporting education outcomes

Ian Mills, Head of Partnerships and Sales at Namene said: 

“We are delighted to partner with Absa Bank to design, produce and deliver these life-changing solar lights. Not only is this a fantastic way for Absa to support school children’s educational outcomes, but it provides them with a unique and socially impactful  opportunity to see their brand proudly showcased on these solar lights. This will have a lasting positive effect for these schools and their students, and demonstrates Absa’s commitment to support and serve the people of Africa.”

“At Absa, we are passionate about supporting youth and being a force for good in the communities in which we operate, and it is paramount that we are part of the solution,” said Justin Schmidt, Head of Manufacturing, Renewable Energy, Transport and Logistics at Absa Relationship Banking. “We strongly believe that as a financial institution we have an important role to play in helping South Africa build sustainable energy sources. It is our hope that these solar lights will help students succeed and thrive.” 

More distribution events like these are planned in schools in rural South Africa over the next four to six months, bringing safe, clean, sustainable solar lights to young learners across the country.  

 Absa serves its clients through a diverse business offering, comprising a universal set of products and services across retail, wealth, business and corporate and has a presence across 15 countries. In addition, the bank is committed to sustainably create shared value and plays an integral role in their customers’ life journey. 

With operations, climate projects and offices across a number of Sub-Saharan African nations, Namene is proud to bring this partnership with Absa, a truly African brand, to life.  

Find out more about the benefits of our award-winning solar lights, and what our customers say. https://namenesolar.com/solar-lights/