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Power Africa Solar Home Systems Malawi | Journalistic Photographer South Africa

Monsoon Photography traveled to Malawi in July 2019 for Southern Africa Energy Program (SAEP). We captured the “Power Solar Home System Kick-Starter Program” in Lilongwe as well as impact photography in Lilongwe and Blantyre. Journalistic photographers South Africa.

Did you know? There are currently approximately 3.2 million Malawian households without power.

Empowering Communities in Malawi

We had the pleasure of accompanying the team from Yellow Solar Power around Lilongwe to capture BioLite SolarHome installations and see the impact on the community firsthand! The BioLite SolarHome 620 brings modern lighting, energy, and entertainment to transform any structure into an off-grid home. The easy-to-install 6-watt solar panel captures daily sun to charge a 20 Wh control box which powers 3 hanging lights, USB charge-out, and an MP3/FM radio system.

“Malawi’s energy sector has gone through important sector reform efforts recently, including the unbundling of the national utility, the Electric Supply Company of Malawi (ESCOM) and the establishment of the Electricity Generation Company of Malawi (EGENCO). The restructuring of Malawi’s power market is underway, with strong investor interest and political will for Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to enter the market. Power Africa (PA) is supporting 100 MWs of new solar PV generation to come online by the end of 2019.” – Power Africa

Currently, a mere 1% of rural households have power and as little as 46% in urban areas of Malawi. This indicates that 3.2 million households are without power. Power Africa is aiming to establish 108 400 new grid connections and 163 400 off-grid connections PA. This will increase the current connection access rate from 10.8% to 30% by 2030. Enriching many lives and bringing hope to one of the poorest countries in the world.

The guys from Urban Dynamix Media acted as Monsoon’s assistants in Lilongwe (we highly recommend them if you’re looking for a photographer in Malawi!)

USAID-Malawi-Power-Africa-Journalistic-Photographer-Pretoria-South-Africa — BioLite SolarHome 620 Installation in Lilongwe by Yellow Solar Power (©Monsoon Photography)

Yellow Solar Power Malawi Electricity — BioLite SolarHome 620 Installation in Lilongwe by Yellow Solar Power (©Monsoon Photography)

The Impact of Electricity

The impact of how electricity transforms rural areas is astounding. Access to electricity not only ends energy poverty but also enables communities to enjoy the simple things we often take for granted. Imagine being able to read by light, charge a mobile phone, work indoors or cook on a stovetop for the first time. Electricity reduces the manual workload for food processing thus reducing working hours. It also ends cooking over a fire indoors that produces smoky households.

The most striking difference is having light indoors after dark. Without electricity, the only light at night is dim, dangerous kerosene lamps or candles. Electricity minimizes the backbreaking labour of hauling water and firewood to homes on a daily basis. Powering poor communities empowers and enriches their lives and creates a better future for all.

We thoroughly enjoyed capturing the impact of electricity connections on Malawian communities.

USAID Power Africa Solar Power Malawi — Reading by Solar Light (©Monsoon Photography)

USAID Power Africa Journalistic Photographer South Africa — Mobile Phone Charging Station & Solar Light (©Monsoon Photography)

Commercial Photographer South Africa USAID Electricity Impact on Communities — Solar Power – Empowering Small Business Owners (©Monsoon Photography)

Journalistic Photographer South Africa USAID Electricity Impact on Communities — Solar Light – Enabling Household Chores at Night (©Monsoon Photography)

USAID Southern Africa & Power Africa

The “Power Solar Home System Kick-Starter Program for Malawi” launch ceremony was held on 16 July 2019 in Lilongwe, Malawi. A $2 million (USD) grant fund was awarded to four solar home system (SHS) companies by The USAID – US Agency for International Development, in support of Power Africa. USAID estimates that the program will add 100 000 to 150 000 electricity connections to Malawi. The SHS companies are Solarworks!, VITALITE Zambia, Yellow Solar Power, and Zuwa Energy!

Commercial Journalistic Photographer South Africa

Monsoon Photography offers commercial journalistic photography services in South Africa. We also travel across southern Africa on assignments. Enquire on commercial photography pricing/quotes. We have over 15 years of experience in event photography, on-site industrial photography and journalistic style shots. Monsoon especially excels in the science & technology fields. Our clients include the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA), The National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF), The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Southern Africa Energy Program (SAEP).

We also love to travel and explore our diverse continent! Get in touch for a quote on commercial, industrial or journalistic photography.

Event Photographer Pretoria | Deloitte Gala Event Rovos Rail

Monsoon Photography had the pleasure of photographing the Deloitte, Pretoria, Gala Event at Rovos Rail on the 11th of October 2018. We love doing gala event photography in Pretoria. Especially in interesting locations such as Rovos Rail. Contact us for rates on hiring an event photographer Pretoria areas and Gauteng. See bottom of page for information.

Did you know | Rovos Rail History

A Wilbur Smith heroine with her own private railway coach, a man called Phil Acutt with a passion for trains and the presence of the Witbank Steam Railway in the coal-mining town where Rohan Vos ran his successful auto spares business, all played a part.

Several coaches were purchased and taken to the Society’s yards in Witbank to be rebuilt. One of them, Private Saloon 15063, is still in service and another, an engineer’s caboose, stood at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront for many years. She served as the marketing and reservations office. The complications of working with the South African Transport Services administration soon convinced Rohan to be self-sufficient where possible. As a result, he purchased a 1938 Class 19D locomotive from Lowenthal’s Scrap Metal in Johannesburg. It was rebuilt by Rovos Rail and named BIANCA, after one off Rohan Vos’ daughters.

Rovos Rail Launch

Consisting of a locomotive and seven carriages, the train was launched on 29 April 1989. They set off with four paying passengers, friends and press, heading to the Eastern Transvaal. With a four-night Lowveld experience and in 1991 the Pretoria to Cape Town run, the business began to find direction. But, as any train operator will confirm, running a schedule is risky and nerve-wracking. To project consistency and reliability to agents and passengers, it’s imperative to run according to the advertised schedule. Of course, this wears rather thin when passenger loads are less than the number required to break even financially. Vos found that one can lose considerably more money establishing a schedule.

A visit to the London World Travel Market, led to meeting tour operator Philip Morrell, owner of Jules Verne in London. They hatched a plan to run the train from Cape Town to Victoria Falls. The package was advertised in the Sunday Telegraph during late December. To Vos’s relief, he reported that sales were going extremely well and nearly four train loads had been booked.

Vos purchased 38 redundant carriages from the South African Railways.

Armed with Les Pivnic’s book on dining cars, Rohan started the search for suitable coaches. An early target was the Jewish Guild Country Club in Johannesburg where three vandalised and dilapidated dining cars stood as part of an aborted restaurant venture. All three – KEI, NILE and MODDER – were hauled to Witbank and returned to the rails. In the years since then, family life has been inseparable from the business with Rovos Rail growing up alongside the Vos children. Family holidays always had another agenda, as they scoured the far ends of the country for coaches and locomotives to add to their collection.

Rovos Rail Engines

All the engines for Rovos Rail bare the names of the Vos children – Brenda, Bianca, Tiffany and Shaun – and nothing could be more appropriate as the family’s history and memories are so tightly interwoven with the Rovos Rail story of acquisition and expansion. On the 10th anniversary of Rovos Rail, the magnificently restored and rebuilt locomotive – 25NC 3484, which had been converted from coal-firing to oil – was christened MARJORIE by Rohan’s mother, Mrs Marjorie Vos.

Gala Event Photography Pricing

We specialise in commercial photography. Event photography pricing from R4 500 (four hour shoot, including standard editing and equipment) depending on location. Ts & Cs apply. Contact us for a quote on event photography in Pretoria, Johannesburg and other Gauteng areas. Enquire: click here.

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USAID Southern Africa – Electricity Impact on Community – Journalistic Photography