Project brings solar street lights to Site B

Residents of two informal settlements in Site B, Khayelitsha, are enjoying the benefits of newly installed solar street lights in their area.

That is thanks to an initiative by the two NGOs, People’s Environmental Planning (Pep) and Light Up in conjunction with an e-hailing company.

On Friday April 19, an entourage of workers led by the local councillor, formally installed and switched on the lights stretching from UT to WA sections.

Pep’s Dolly Fanaphi said the project, worth millions, started a while ago when residents of these two informal settlements contacted them with the light problems, which left the area vulnerable to crime at night.

She said after talks with a few stakeholders they were lucky to have inDrive coming forward with the same proposal.

She said inDrive drivers were scared to come to the areas at night and approached their bosses to do something in places that were always dark. “People have always engaged us on the issue of unsafe areas. We had community engagements and workshops to create spaces between the shacks first. But part of it all we found is that lights are a challenge and a need. There is a high half mast light but it is not working. We also spoke to Lights Up and they came to us to tell us inDrive was also looking for a place where they could install lights,” she said.

She started working on the project in December and said the lights were installed on homes and outside toilets. “As we speak now, we have installed 45 lights in one area and 30 in another one. These are small areas with no politics. That made our work much easier,” she said.

Vincent Lilane, inDrive’s business development representative, said he was happy to have been part of the project that seeks to help the communities of Khayelitsha. He added that Khayelitsha residents, just like many other communities around Cape Town, have been battling the issue of having no street lights in their areas. Despite the improvements, major sections in Khayelitsha remain without functioning street lights.

“Our drivers could not work at night but it was not only about the drivers but for the community to be safe. Our research found that people could not go out at night because they felt unsafe.”

Part of the project involved teaming up with amapiano artist, Khanyisa Jaceni. A song called Layita was released and for every 2000 streams a light was pledged. In the end 75 solar lights that were installed through the streaming partnership.

The lights mostly are stuck on top of each shack and passages of the areas and the solar panels are on top of the roof.

Residents who witnessed the switching on, hailed the project, saying that the lights would help expose criminals who had taken over the streets and made them their hunting grounds.

Resident Ntombi Soya said the lights have changed their lives. “It is a joyous day for us here. These lights have made a big difference. With our street lights always not working, they came to our rescue. There will be no break-ins now. We have a serious problem with crime, especially at night. But I must tell you that we are now going to go to the toilet even at 1am. We are grateful and happy,” she said.

Ward 89 councillor Khaya Gxasheka standing in for Ward 90 councillor Lukhanko Simangweni said that besides beautifying the area, the new lights would help the police to reduce crime in the area. He said he was also interested to have them in his area.“This is a great initiative for people living in our areas. You know people are always complaining about crime. I hope these can be installed on proper houses too,” said Mr Gxasheka.

After touring the areas, it was back to the Andile Msizi Hall for official speeches and appearances by singer Khanyisa Jaceni and music producers Beats Slide and Sbuda Maleather.