Earthlife Africa JHB’s solar cooker roll-out in Mothlasedi Village demonstrates what a just transition can look like in practice – placing women and communities at the centre of clean, affordable energy solutions while reducing exposure to energy poverty and gender-based violence.
This week, Earthlife Africa continued its roll out of solar cookers to rural households in Limpopo, this time in Lephalale. On 3 and 4 February, the environmental justice organisation was in Mothlasedi and Shongoane Bangalong villages, respectively, to bring clean, affordable energy directly to communities most affected by energy poverty.
Women at the Centre of Community-Led Climate Solutions
Community-led training is a big part of Earthlife Africa’s solar cooker initiative in Mothlasedi Village, strengthening local ownership while advancing safe, low-carbon energy access for rural households in Limpopo.
According to Makoma Lekalakala, Director of Earthlife Africa JHB, “This solar innovation reduces the need to spend time collecting firewood and also means that women are less exposed to the associated risks. In many rural communities, women carry the burden of sourcing cooking fuel. Reliance on firewood contributes to environmental degradation and indoor air pollution, while exposing women and girls to the risk of gender-based violence. In many rural settings, this task often falls to women and girls. The way we see it, this project is about community justice and access to clean energy. It shows what is possible when communities are placed at the centre. Therefore, by placing women at the centre of the initiative, the project strengthens community ownership while advancing safer, low-carbon energy solutions.”
Twenty households in Mothlasedi and Shongoane Bangalong villages have received solar cookers – which included hands-on training in assembly, use and maintenance. The project is implemented in partnership with the environmental justice organisation’s community-based partners, Ithuteng Community Organisation and Bopanang Women’s Organisation.
By introducing solar cooking in Mothlasedi Village, Earthlife Africa is supporting a fair and inclusive energy transition – reducing reliance on firewood, lowering household electricity costs, and improving health and safety outcomes for women and elders.
Lekalakala says, “The process is as important as the technology itself. From the early hours of the morning, women from these communities came together to collectively assemble their own solar cookers. This demonstrates what a just transition looks like – community-led, collaborative and rooted in dignity.”
The roll-out in Lephalale forms part of Earthlife Africa’s broader commitment to ensuring that South Africa’s transition to a low-carbon future is fair, inclusive and community-driven. This initiative kicked-off in October 2025, when Earthlife Africa – hosted by the Mulambwane Women’s League – distributed its first batch of solar cookers to Tshikuwi Village in Venda.
Earthlife Africa’s solar cooker initiative, in Shongoane Bangalong Village, empowers communities to lead their own transition to safe, low-carbon energy – strengthening local ownership while improving safety and reducing energy poverty.
Senior Programmes Officer at Earthlife Africa, Thabo Sibeko, emphasised the importance of local renewable solutions: “This is what we mean by a just transition. Limpopo is a province that is blessed with abundant sun. Communities here should be benefitting from technologies that give them safe and affordable access to this free resource. Solar cooking reduces household electricity costs, lowers carbon emissions and improves health and safety outcomes – offering a practical response to both climate change and social inequality.”
Community Members Call for Broader Support
From assembly to use, Shongoane Bangalong Village residents are actively participating in Earthlife Africa’s solar cooker roll-out, demonstrating how inclusive, community-led solutions can drive a just energy transition in Limpopo.
Residents say the impact will be immediate. Emmy Modise from Shongoane Bangalong Village welcomes the initiative and calls on government to expand the programme to more communities. She says, “These solar cookers will help save our lives and reduce our electricity costs. They protect us from the dangers of going out to collect firewood, where we risk being attacked, killed or raped – even the risk of snake bites. Electricity has been far too expensive for us, and solar energy is a much-needed solution.”
From assembly to use, Shongoane Bangalong Village residents are actively participating in Earthlife Africa’s solar cooker roll-out, demonstrating how inclusive, community-led solutions can drive a just energy transition in Limpopo.
Also, from Shongoane Bangalong Village, Phillimon Ngwako says the project brings relief, particularly for elderly women. “This initiative will help our grandparents, especially women, by saving them from having to go into the fields to collect wood to make fire. This reduces their exposure to gender-based violence and other dangers while gathering fuel. These solar cookers are life-changing for our community,” he says.
By rolling out solar cookers in Shongoane Bangalong Village, Earthlife Africa is helping reduce reliance on firewood, lower household electricity costs, and protect women and elders from the risks of traditional fuel collection, while advancing clean energy access for all.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/183zJgMxN6/ – Link to last year’s Solar Cooker FB post