Counting Down – 15 Days to the Start of the Last Desert Race in Antarctica

Solar Street Lighting Project in Diepsloot

Friday, 17 October 2014

After months of waiting for approval from City Power and other stakeholders, we have received the go-ahead for our solar street lighting project in Diepsloot. This is an important development and will provide important focus and urgency to our fundraising campaign in support of the project over the next few weeks.

Diepsloot is a densely populated township in the north of Johannesburg. It is home to an estimated 350 000 people. Poverty, unemployment and crime are key challenges facing the people of Diepsloot, with many residents still living without running water, sanitation and electricity.

I had an opportunity to visit the proposed project site in Diepsloot this morning withGreenpeace Africa and a SABC camera crew. The SABC conducted interviews with me and community members about the challenges facing Diepsloot and how the solar lighting project will contribute to improved community safely.

The lack of electricity – directly to households or to power public facilities such as street lights – has a major impact on the quality of life in Diepsloot, including the general safety of people moving around at night.

Our solar lighting project represents an important response to this challenge, and although the initial roll-out only covers a specific area in Diepsloot, it is something which could be expanded to other parts of Diepsloot and replicated in communities facing similar challenges in other parts of South Africa.

I therefore appeal to everyone interested in our project to support us with a donation and encourage others to do the same.

The countdown to Antarctica continues…

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I’m excited about the race in Antarctica and the challenge of raising R250 000 for a Greenpeace Africa solar energy project, and encourage you to support my efforts and the work of Greenpeace Africa!

Please make a donation and encourage others to do the same.

“Together we can make a difference!”

Follow updates about my preparations for The Last Desert Race, and work withGreenpeace Africa, on Facebook and Twitter, my daily blog, and via Greenpeace Africa’s  various online platforms.