NESTLÉ BAR•ONE’s #needenergy initiative aims to provide reliable power to South African libraries facing loadshedding, with a goal of installing solar energy systems through social media support.
South Africa (08 June 2023) – South Africa has long been known for its resilient and innovative citizens, particularly when faced with challenges like loadshedding. With power outages plunging communities into darkness, South Africans have shown their resourcefulness in finding solutions to navigate through these trying times.
However, the impact on those who #NeedEnergy, especially students, cannot be overlooked.
Loadshedding, the scheduled power cuts implemented by Eskom, has been a recurring issue in South Africa, affecting various aspects of daily life. Universities have had to adapt their academic programs to accommodate these disruptions, while others have explored hybrid teaching methods. Despite commendable efforts, the question remains: What about those who need immediate access to energy?
NESTLÉ BAR•ONE has stepped up to address this urgent need with the #needenergy – Light up the library initiative. Over the next five weeks, from May 29 to June 30, this campaign aims to keep the lights on in four selected libraries across South Africa. These libraries have been carefully chosen based on their critical requirements.
For instance, the Winterveld Library in Tshwane has been without power since 2019, while the Randburg Library in Johannesburg relies on portable lights during loadshedding. The Beacon Bay Library in East London and Musgrave Library in Durban face the daunting task of manually issuing books during power outages, risking disruptions to administrative maintenance. These examples highlight the pressing challenges faced by these libraries, resulting in a backlog of essential tasks that need immediate attention to serve their communities effectively.
Brent Lindeque, founder of Good Things Guy, expresses the profound impact that a campaign like #needenergy can have on the lives of students, saying, “Providing reliable power to libraries through initiatives like this can make a significant difference in the lives of students. It creates an environment where they can access educational resources, study effectively, and pursue their dreams despite the challenges of loadshedding. It’s heartening to see brands like BAR•ONE stepping up to empower the youth and invest in their future.”
BAR•ONE is calling on South Africans to join forces and support the cause by retweeting and sharing the #needenergy campaign one million times. The significance lies in achieving this ambitious goal: Once accomplished, BAR•ONE commits to investing one million rand in each library, enabling the installation of solar energy systems. Every retweet and share will contribute to #1Bar = R1, ensuring a sustainable and reliable power source for these libraries in the foreseeable future.
Zumi Njongwe, the Business Executive Officer for Confectionery at Nestlé East and Southern Africa (ESAR), emphasises the campaign’s purpose: to light up lives by keeping the lights on. Recognising the impact of loadshedding on communities, particularly the youth, and their ability to excel in their studies, Njongwe highlights the scarcity of resources available to learners during power outages as a driving force behind this initiative.
The #needenergy campaign has received overwhelming support from influential youth figures, including DJ Sbu, Oskido, Sheldon Tatchell, Kovini Moodley, Mashudu Modau, and renowned Maskandi artist Khuzani Mpungose. Additionally, creative expressionists such as Lerato Mokoka and Sicelo Buthelezi from Gomora, and popular TikTok stars Siphosethu Nkosi and Mess Jilla, have joined the cause.
DJ Sbu passionately advocates for seizing opportunities despite challenging circumstances. He encourages all South Africans to support the campaign, emphasising that libraries require energy to fuel the dreams of the youth. By rallying together to achieve one million shares and retweets, the vision of transforming these libraries into beacons of light can become a reality.
BAR•ONE, a beloved South African snack that has provided an energy boost for over 50 years, is raising the bar even further through this initiative. Recognising the significance of empowering communities and inspiring future generations, BAR•ONE is committed to making a lasting impact.
Let’s Illuminate Lives Together:
To support the #needenergy – Light up the library initiative, visit the BAR•ONE Twitter page, where you can retweet the pinned post or simply share and tweet #needenergy. Stay updated on the campaign’s progress by following BAR.ONE on Instagram (@BARONE_SA), Twitter (@BarOne_SA), and Facebook (BAR ONE).
Together, we can bring much-needed energy to these libraries, empowering the dreams of the next generation.
At Good Things Guy, we have witnessed firsthand the impact of loadshedding on students throughout South Africa. The lack of electricity severely hampers their ability to study and excel academically. By supporting the #needenergy campaign, we can help create safe spaces in libraries, equipped with reliable power, where students can thrive despite the challenges imposed by loadshedding.
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