Delivering electricity to the entire nation will take time, but in meantime the Department of Mineral and Energy Affairs has awarded contracts to five concession companies nationally to install 24 000 prepaid solar metres. For us in the Eastern Cape this is a proud moment because local electronics company Vektronix populates the printed circuit boards in these units which are installed in remote rural villages and enables them to access power.

In December 2003, Vektronix became the only electronics company in the country which populates printed circuit boards for Gauteng based Rural Area Power Solutions (RAPS) Technologies which has designed this innovative unit.

“Our participation in this project gives us at Vektronix a deep sense of improving people’s lives” Vektronix’ Julie Skinner said.

Between December and March, Vektronix populated 1 000 boards per month which resulted in employment for eight people. In September volumes are set to increase to 2 000 per month.

These innovative units provide households with a solar powered battery which gives enough energy to power a light, cell-phone charger, a radio and for several hours a day a black and white TV.

RAPs Technologies Rolf Niemand comments that the benefits to communities as a result of the units are enormous.

“The access to lighting has resulted in an improvement of social life. Many customers have expressed satisfaction that this gives them an increased sense of security for their property.”

Not only are the boards populated here, but local fibreglass manufacturer The Fibreglass Shop manufactures the casing for the units. The Fibreglass shop has been manufacturing electronic closures for 35 years and being part of this project has enabled them to create employment for an additional 20 people.

Niemand had high praises for the work of both companies.

Lighting the way 2

East London electronics manufacturer Vektronix is familiar with terms like ‘only’ and ‘best’ being associated with its product, and that makes them proud, but what has recently had them all abuzz, is their work in rural power supply.

Afterall being the only company in the country fixing MNet decoders for subscribers as far afield as the Netherlands is one thing, but helping people who live in remote areas, so remote that they are off the Eskom grid get a little light gives Vektronix a deep sense of making a contribution to improving people’s lives, says Vektronix’ Julie Skinner.

In December 2003, Vektronix became the only electronics company in the country which populates printer circuit boards for Gauteng based Rural Area Power Solutions (RAPS) Technologies which has designed an innovative solar prepaid unit.

These innovative units provide households with a solar powered battery which gives enough energy to power a light, cell-phone charger, a radio and for several hours a day a black and white TV.
RAPs Technologies Rolf Niemand comments that the benefits to communities as a result of the units are enormous.

“The access to lighting has resulted in an improvement of social life. Many customers have expressed satisfaction that this gives them an increased sense of security for their property.”

The Department of Mineral and Energy Affairs has appointed five concession companies nationally and the boards that Vektronix populate are used throughout the country.

Another feather in East London’s cap is that local fibreglass manufacturer The Fibreglass Shop manufactures the casing for the units. The Fibreglass Shop has been manufacturing electrical enclosures for 35 years and being part of this particular project has enabled this manufacturer to provide employment for a further 20 people.

Niemand had high praises for both companies’ excellent work.