Lighting for Access to Nutritious Food and Safer Streets in Alexandra, South Africa

October 16, 2025

In a Johannesburg township where power cuts regularly plunge homes and streets into darkness, solar lights are helping local food entrepreneurs stay open, safe, and serve their community.

In Alexandra, a densely populated township in Johannesburg, South Africa, the daily rhythm of life is regularly disrupted by power cuts. Known locally as “load shedding,” these planned outages can last four to six hours or more, leaving homes, streets, and businesses without electricity. In a community where many rely on small-scale food vendors and informal businesses to get by, the lack of lighting is not just inconvenient, it can be dangerous.

The Signify Foundation partnered with Wakanda Food Accelerator, an organization driving innovative solutions to food insecurity in South Africa’s underserved townships. Together, 100 solar-powered light bulbs and four solar streetlights were distributed to help local food vendors and residents stay safe, operate businesses after dark, and ensure continued access to affordable nutrition, even during blackouts.

One of the streetlights now shines above Gcwalisa, a community-run food dispensary using a pay-as-you-go model. Gcwalisa allows people to purchase just the amount of staples they need, reducing waste and ensuring that nutritious food remains within reach for low-income households, with people living in Alexandra receiving just R350 (around €17) in monthly social grants.

Lolo was involved in choosing where to place the solar light and intentionally selected a spot that would benefit both Gcwalisa customers and the entire street. Now, other vendors nearby also keep their shops open later, creating a safer, more vibrant nighttime economy.

“It’s dark, you can’t walk outside. You can’t see someone coming behind you. When it’s dark, they can rob you here,” Lolo explains. “But this is a 24/7 light.”

The small solar-powered bulbs have also made a big difference inside homes. Lolo’s children now study safely in the evenings even when electricity is out. “I didn’t expect that it can be bright like this,” he says, surprised by how the street light gradually increases in intensity through the night.

Beyond its practical impact, the lighting also inspires pride and optimism. As Lolo sums it up:

“I’m happy we’re doing this. At the end of the day, I want to make a change here, I want Alexandra to be a better place. It means I’ll also glow, that there’s also a light where I’m going in life.”