Twenty three year old Lebogang Mkizwana is one part of a creative group (Knowledge of Self – KOS) working on their cost effective and innovative product– a Solar Cooker. As an organisation they specialise in creating panel solar cookers. “Solar can serve disadvantaged families living in informal settlements as the government holds the notion that people living in informal settlements usually don’t live there for long hence the delay in service delivery”, said Mkizwana.
When did you and your team establish KOS Solar Cooker?
We started the project in 2017, as a community based organisation. We would like to positively impact the lives of fellow disadvantaged South Africans living in absolute poverty and provide job opportunities for the unemployed. Our skills development program teaches the beneficiaries how to create and build sustainable solar cookers.
What challenges are you facing as an innovative black entrepreneur with a unique business concept and how do you overcome them?
Acceptance of solar cooking has been slow over the past 30 years despite its great promise for improving quality of life, maintaining health, and preserving the environment. While these benefits provide an intrinsic value to those involved, the lack of an economic reward for these stakeholders presents a risk which has stagnatedthe introduction of solar cookers into the market. But most importantly, most beneficiaries do not value environmental and social benefits as daily survival takes precedence. Possible solutions include establishing a solar cooker training and education centre, utilisingsurvey knowledge to continue polling end users and use feedback to enhance product and training and capitaliseon the experiences in the market to address social issues and make KOS Solar Cookers more appealing.
How many people do you employ?
We are a four member non-profit organisation formed by myself Lebogang Mkizwana, Molemo Seane, Mosa Ekaand Nkosinathi Vilakazi. We work with 10 volunteers who participate in our skills development program and we are able to at least give 20 households our KOS Solar Cookers as well as giving them the skills to be able to maintain and recreate their solar cookers. At the moment we are more active as community based members and work on volunteering bases due to not having enough resources to offer employment yet, however, we will be providing employment opportunities in the near future.
Do you feel enough is being done to empower tech entrepreurs?
I feel like more can be done to empower young previously disadvantaged groups to pursue their business goals instead of settling for job securities. Already there are opportunities that are there to empower the youth through non-profit and for profit programs created by various private organisations as well as government entities. The issue then tends to be the focus of that particular program; some programs choose to focus on a few industries such as agriculture, technology (mostly apps), and recycling. While overlooking other industries such as climate change and the green economy industry.
Where can one purchase a KOS Solar Cooker?
We are still getting our prototype ready first. Details of the progress of our product can be access on our social media profiles: @kossolarcooker on Instagran and KOS Solar Cooker on Facebook.
