From now until June 30, Nestlé Bar One’s #needenergy Light up the Library initiative, is keeping the lights on through generator power in four libraries across SA, including Beacon Bay Library in East London.
This will be done to ensure that the communities, particularly pupils and students relying on these libraries continue to get the full services that the libraries offer.
The other selected libraries are Winterveld Library in Tshwane, which has been without power since 2019, the Randburg Library in Johannesburg, which uses portable lights during load-shedding, and Musgrave Library in Durban, which issues books manually during load-shedding.
Each library is forced to capture relevant information manually, which poses a risk to the facility’s administrative maintenance.
According to Career Portal, universities have adjusted their academic programmes to be in line with the load-shedding schedule and others plan to implement hybrid teaching and learning methods.
While this may be helpful, what can be done for those who #NeedEnergy now?
Bar One is asking SA to retweet and share #needenergy one million times. Once the big goal is reached, Bar One will commit to installing solar energy into each of these libraries at a cost of R1m.
Each retweet and share is equivalent to R1. This will give the libraries reliable power into the foreseeable future.
“The initiative is about lighting lives by keeping the lights on.
“We understand the challenges posed by load-shedding for communities and especially the youth and how it affects their ability for them to perform at their optimum when it comes to their studies — especially at this time when they are preparing to write their midyear exams.
“There are very few resources consistently available for pupils during load-shedding and that is one of the direct reasons behind this campaign,’’ business executive officer for confectionary at Nestlé East and Southern Africa, Zumi Njongwe said.
The campaign is supported by several leading youth voices that include DJ Sbu, Oskido, Sheldon Tatchell, Kovini Moodley, Mashudu Modau and leading Maskandi artist Khuzani Mpungose.
Creative expressionists such as, Gomora duo Lerato Mokoka and Sicelo Buthelezi, as well as TikTok stars Siphosethu Nkosi and Mess Jilla.
“I am an advocate for never letting my circumstances prevent me from fulfilling my dream,” DJSbu said.
“I believe that one is born clever, and we all can achieve what we set our visions on. This initiative by Bar One shows that SA brands understand the challenges that youth face and give back in a meaningful and impactful way.
“Libraries need energy to fuel the dreams of our youth — and I am encouraging every South African to get behind the campaign — one million shares and retweets. We can make this happen!” DJ Sbu said.
“For more than 50 years, Bar One has been one of SA’s favourite snacks, offering an energy boost to active movers and shakers as they meet their demanding schedules and find success.
“Now, we’re raising the bar even further,” Njongwe said.
Help light up lives and give the libraries energy by visiting their Twitter feed.
Retweet the pinned post or just reshare and tweet #needsenergy. Follow BAR.ONE on socials; Instagram: BARONE_SA, Twitter: @BarOne_SA and Facebook: BAR ONE
