RoyalPhilips, in partnership with Karebo Systems, brought light to MaphuthaSecondary School in Tembisa, installing Philips T5 EcoSavers in everyclassroom. The purpose of the visit was to provide high quality PhilipsLED lamps for the school and to educate the learners on energyefficiency, specifically with regards to lighting.
However,there was more to the initiative with Maphutha Secondary School than aneducational discussion and the installation. Karebo’s Senior ManagerNjabulo Nxumalo began by addressing the 1670 learners at their assembly;speaking on energy efficiency in lighting and sharing his knowledgewith the listeners. Nxumalo then tasked the learners with theopportunity to be involved in an essay writing competition. The essaywas to be titled Innovation Ideas of Saving Energy, and the top three essay writers would receive cash prizes.
DeanLotter and Jenny Heyes, the Philips Lighting Solutions representativesattended the prize giving in support of the winning learners andKarebo’s initiative. Njabulo Nxumalo addressed the assembly with theacknowledgement of the Philips representatives who provided anadditional gift for the winners. The top three winners were placed, withsecond and third place awarded to twins.
“The learner’s broughtfresh and innovative ideas and conveyed these creatively through theiressays. It is encouraging to see the ideas that are coming from theselearners as innovation through lighting and saving energy isinstrumental in our future,” said Dean Lotter, general manager ofPhilips Lighting Solutions.
“Karebo approached its long timepartners Phillips SA in an attempt to secure the energy efficient lamps.Phillips leapt to the need identified by Karebo and without hesitationand provided the lamps at a reduced cost to Karebo for the installationat Maputha High School,” says Rishti Govender director of Legal andCompliance at Karebo Systems.
The winning essay was written by Retshepile Mashaba, a Grade 11 learner, who won herself a cash prize of R1000.
Lottersaid, “We are proud to be involved in an initiative focused oneducating our leaders of the future about issues impacting on theenvironment. We salute Retshepile Mashaba for their incredibleachievement and look forward to more outstanding work from this youngeco-warrior.”