Shedding some light on the matter

by Cairen Harry and Jessica Blase

The recent price increases in water and electricity have left even the Oppies with the most well lined pockets groaning at the arrival of the monthly bills. But in these times of darkness, the Makana Municipality has provided a glimmer of light.

Makana Municipality’s Energy Efficient Lighting Programme, which began in September this year, has so far seen over 46 000 light bulbs in houses across Grahamstown being replaced with their new energy saving light bulbs free of charge.

The municipality’s initiative, which is being directed by Eskom, could help Oppies and Grahamstown residents save not only money, but also the environment. “The aim of the project is to relieve the electricity usage load for Grahamstown,” said Makana Municipality Electricity Department technical assistant Xhandi Bokwe. “We are changing the normal incandescent light bulbs in people’s homes to the energy saving Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs). While normal light bulbs will use anything between 60 and 100 watts, CFLs only use between 10 and 15. This means we will be saving huge amounts of energy, which is good for us as well as the environment.”

CFLs are usually extremely expensive to purchase but the municipality has contracted a local company to provide and install them free of charge in all domestic households as well as in Rhodes residences.

Bokwe explained that CFLs use just 20 percent of the energy to provide almost the same amount of light and last more than six times longer than normal light bulbs. “The electricity supply during peak hours is under severe pressure. It’s really important that households use energy as effectively as possible,” he said. The new light bulbs should help to remedy this problem.

Technical officers are currently installing the CFLs around Grahamstown. “A group of guys came to change the light bulbs at my house on African Street last week. They were really friendly and helpful and changed literally every single light bulb in the house. It wasn’t an inconvenience at all,” said third year student Cara lee Roskilly. “I think it’s a really good plan. Hopefully it will help the environment and bring down our electricity bill a bit!”

If you’re not prepared to wait for the municipality to come to you, there is a temporary exchange point where you can swap your old light bulbs for CFLs at Tqulai Hall in Joza. The lamp rollout is expected to be completed by November 30 this year.

Saving the environment, and those pennies, is just a few light bulbs away.